Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (with or without hyperactivity) is a brain disorder – a neurodevelopmental condition. Scientists can now prove through brain scans that there are differences in the brains of children and adults with ADD/ADHD. We now know that children do not outgrow ADHD, but they can learn to manage their symptoms as they mature.

The 3 categories of symptoms of ADHD include the following:

• Inattention: Short attention span for age (difficulty sustaining attention)  Difficulty listening to others. …
• Impulsivity: Often interrupts others. …
• Hyperactivity: Seems to be in constant motion; runs or climbs, at times with no apparent goal except motion.

Why girls are the last to be diagnosed :

Multiple factors may contribute to the lack of ADHD / ADD diagnosis in girls during childhood, including differences in predominant symptoms (internalizing rather than externalizing) and subtype (inattentive rather than hyperactive). The average age a girl is diagnosed with ADD is around high school – if they ever get diagnosed.

Girls with ADD (no hyperactivity) often present as spacey, lacking motivation and having low energy. Oftentimes, they are seen as the ideal student because they do not present with behavioral issues – but they do struggle, silently and often they end up with co-occurring issues such as anxiety and/or depression.

The Importance of Therapy

When it comes to treating ADHD/ADD the most effective approach appears to be a combination of skills training, counseling, and parent support. Medication may be helpful but at our center we do not prescribe medication.
Research suggests that adults with ADHD who have a treatment plan that includes medication and cognitive behavioral therapy (a form of talk therapy aimed at changing patterns in thinking and behavior) can manage their symptoms easier than those who only take medication. Organizational skills and self-esteem seem to improve as well.

There are benefits of having ADHD which include being highly creative, energetic, spontaneous, and hyper-focused. It’s important that your child understand that ADD/ADHD is not a negative trait (though it is often seen this way).