Mario is 10 years old. When he was 7, his family learned he had AD/HD. At the time, he was driving everyone crazy. At school, he couldn’t stay in his seat or keep quiet. At home, he didn’t finish his homework or his chores. He did scary things, too, like climb out of his window onto the roof and run across the street without looking.
Things are much better now. Mario was tested by a trained professional to find out what he does well and what gives him trouble. His parents and teachers came up with ways to help him at school. Mario has trouble sitting still, so now he does some of his work standing up. He’s also the student who tidies up the room and washes the chalkboard. His teachers break down his lessons into several parts. Then they have him do each part one at a time. This helps Mario keep his attention on his work.
At home, things have changed, too. Now his parents know why he’s so active. They are careful to praise him when he does something well. They even have a reward program to encourage good behavior. He earns “good job points” which they post on a wall chart. After earning 10 points he gets to choose something fun he’d like to do. Having a child with AD/HD is still a challenge, but things are looking better.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can make it hard for a person to sit still, control behavior, and pay attention. These difficulties usually begin before the person is 7 years old. However, these behaviors may not be noticed until the child is older.
Doctors do not know just what causes ADHD. However, researchers who study the brain are coming closer to understanding what may cause ADHD. They believe that some people with AD/HD do not have enough of certain chemicals (called neurotransmitters) in their brain. These chemicals help the brain control behavior.
Parents and teachers do not cause ADHD. Still, there are many things that both parents and teachers can do to help a child with ADHD.
As many as 5 out of every 100 children in school may have ADHD. Boys are three times more likely than girls to have ADHD.
There are three main signs, or symptoms, of ADHD. These are:
More information about these symptoms is listed in a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association (1994). Based on these symptoms, three types of ADHD have been found:
Inattentive type. Many children with ADHD have problems paying attention. Children with the inattentive type of ADHD often:
Hyperactive-impulsive type. Being too active is probably the most visible sign of ADHD. The hyperactive child is “always on the go.” (As he or she gets older, the level of activity may go down.) These children also act before thinking (called impulsivity). For example, they may run across the road without looking or climb to the top of very tall trees. They may be surprised to find themselves in a dangerous situation. They may have no idea of how to get out of the situation.
Hyperactivity and impulsivity tend to go together. Children with the hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD often may:
Combined type. Children with the combined type of ADHD have symptoms of both of the types described above. They have problems with paying attention, with hyperactivity, and with controlling their impulses.
Of course, from time to time, all children are inattentive, impulsive, and too active. With children who have ADHD, these behaviors are the rule, not the exception.
These behaviors can cause a child to have real problems at home, at school, and with friends. As a result, many children with ADHD will feel anxious, unsure of themselves, and depressed. These feelings are not symptoms of ADHD. They come from having problems again and again at home and in school.
When a child shows signs of ADHD, he or she needs to be evaluated by a trained professional. This person may work for the school system or may be a professional in private practice. A complete evaluation is the only way to know for sure if the child has AD/HD. It is also important to:
There is no quick treatment for ADHD. However, the symptoms of ADHD can be managed. It’s important that the child’s family and teachers:
School can be hard for children with ADHD. Success in school often means being able to pay attention and control behavior and impulse. These are the areas where children with ADHD have trouble.
There are many ways the school can help students with ADHD. Some students may be eligible to receive special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Under the newest amendments to IDEA, passed in 1997, AD/HD is specifically mentioned under the category of “Other Health Impairment” (OHI). We’ve included the IDEA’s definition of OHI below. Other students will not be eligible for services under IDEA. However, they may be eligible for services under a different law, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In both cases, the school and the child’s parents need to meet and talk about what special help the student needs.
Most students with ADHD are helped by supports or changes in the classroom (called adaptations). Some common changes that help students with ADHD are listed under “Tips for Teachers” above. More information about helpful strategies can be found in NICHCY’s publication called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The resources listed below will also help families and teachers learn more about ways to help children with AD/HD.
Many students with ADHD now may qualify for special education services under the “Other Health Impairment” category within the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA defines “other health impairment” as…
“…having limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, and sickle cell anemia; and adversely affects a child’s educational performance.”
34 Code of Federal Regulations §300.7(c)(9)
Alexander-Roberts, C. (1994). ADHD parenting handbook: Practical advice for parents from parents: Proven techniques for raising a hyperactive child without losing your temper. Dallas , TX : Taylor Publishing. [Telephone: 1-800-677-2800.]
Barkley, R. (1995). Taking charge of AD/HD. New York : Guilford Press. [Telephone: 1-800-365-7006.]
Dendy , S.A. Z. (1995). Teenagers with ADD: A parents’ guide. Bethesda , MD : Woodbine House. [Telephone: 1-800-843-7323.]
Fowler, M. (1994). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. NICHCY Briefing Paper, 1-16. [Telephone: 1-800-695-0285. Also available on NICHCY’s Web site: www.nichcy.org]
Fowler, M. (1999). Maybe you know my kid: A parent’s guide to identifying, understanding, and helping your child with ADHD (3rd ed.). New York : Birch Lane Press. [Telephone: 1-800-447-2665.]
Fowler, M. (1992). CH.A.D.D. educators manual: An in-depth look at attention deficit disorders from an educational perspective. Plantation , FL : CH.A.D.D. [Telephone: 1-800-233-4050.]
Wodrich, D.L. (1994). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: What every parent wants to know. Baltimore , MD : Paul H. Brookes. [Telephone: 1-800-638-3775.]
Source: National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
Update: August 1999