Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Essay Example

Introduction

Symptoms, Diagnosis and Development

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) manifests itself with the symptoms of impulsiveness, inability to focus or concentrate impulsivity and hyperactivity. It is a chronic neurobehavioral syndrome further classified as a psychiatric disorder. Often people diagnosed with this disorder tend to have trouble focusing on situations that require extreme concentration, organization and those of a decisive nature leading doctors and others to believe they are unable to take full responsibility for their efforts. “Statistics show that boys are affected at a rate of five times higher than girls and approximately 2-4% of adults are diagnosed with the deficit.” (“Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, 2009”). “Maturation and learning is essential to proper human development. The first twelve years of age are extremely important in the development into adolescent and adulthood years.” (Shaffer & Kipp, 2009).

Patterns

Particularly in children the inattentiveness is shown through patterns of disorganization at school and at home. Teachers may make comments that the child is not performing well in school because of the inability to focus on the homework or coursework. At home the parents may notice that the child’s behaviour is not very good because he/she may not want to cooperate with simple tasks around the home or the child may appear to be tuning the parents’ out when making a simple request to do your homework or to clean your room. The child may be having issues at day-care and the day-care facility may want to eject the child for what appears to be careless or disruptive behaviour. With respect to adults with ADHD, the adult may be experiencing forgetfulness such as losing things around the house, inability to cooperate with co-worker or showing patterns or disorganization in his/her life. Children and adults may have temper outbursts and aggressive behaviour. Adults may have a pattern of job changing. Symptoms such as restlessness or unable to sit still may be present in both children and adults. Especially in children symptoms of play with loud noise might be present. Symptoms may not appear so readily in a one-on-one focused setting rather may excel in such places as outdoor gatherings such as family gatherings or outside public events.

Development

ADHD has a very profound effect on the academic development of school aged children because the inability to concentrate on their school work. This research is based on eliminating the bias factor associated with improper conduct associated with the disorder. If this factor is added to the disorder the chances of a pre-schooler succeeding in school is dramatically declined. Arranging an environment that is stimuli free is a key to success for an ADHD student. Medication is another useful tool to aid AHDH children; however some parents and doctors do not like to commence medication at such a young and vulnerable age.

Sigmund Freud’s theory of psychosexual behaviour is probably one of the best known as well as the most controversial. Psychosexual energy is the driving force behind the development of a child’s personality. If these stages are completed successfully then a child’s personality will develop normally and if not the child will develop a fixation from the undeveloped stage. The stages are the oral stage, the anal stage, the phallic stage, the latent period and the genital stage.” The downside of Freud’s theory is that is psychologically based on males rather than female development. Future predictions by Freud are rather vague and too vague to predict behaviours from childhood to adulthood.” (Shaffer & Kipp, 2009).

ADHD has a very strong emotional effect on a child. “Often it is noted that children with ADHD are behind in emotional development as compared to other children of their same age. With this in mind the children with ADHD may have problems with relation to social contacts making friends and communicating with others on the same level.” (“How Does ADHD Affect a Child’s Emotional Development?”, 2009). Normal children may be introverted and when they make a friend they keep a friend for life. Children with ADHD appear to be outgoing and friendly but their impulsiveness and hyperactivity actually keeps them from making friends and connecting with others socially.  Through these associations of outbursts and impulses, they isolate themselves from others.

Often it is noted through research that there is a co-existence of ADHD with other disorders such as depression, bi-polar and learning disabilities. Not always though are ADHD patients not able to learn properly. It is through slowing down the stimuli that the child or adult will be able to concentrate enough to learn. The decision on how to do this whether through the use of medication or physically will be determined best by the doctor and/or psychiatrist. Sometimes a combination of both will be used.

Behaviour modification techniques may be essential to the child or adult diagnosed with ADHD. “Providing clear and consistent boundaries and a normal and concise routine is essential to promoting the best performance from an ADHD child and an ADHD adult.” (“Behavioural Techniques for Children with ADHD, 2009”). Set an example for a child with ADHD with your patterns of behaviour and continue to examine your communication patterns as the child matures in age.

References

[1] Shaffer D & Kipp K (2009) Developmental Psychology: Childhood and Adolescence Retrieved September 20, 2009 from, http://books.google.com/books?id=CuvXxrhk8HUC&pg=PT22&dq=Developmental+Psychology+(Chilhood+%26+Adolenscence)+8th+Edition+(new)&ei=mF22Sp7gEJPSNMW6ubEP#v=onepage&q=&f=false

[1] How Does ADHD Affect a Child’s Emotional Development? (2009) How Does ADHD Affect a Child’s Emotional Development? Retrieved September 19, 2009 from,  http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/question/274929/67783

[1] Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (2009) Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Retrieved September 19, 2009 from, http://www.neurologychannel.com/adhd/index.shtml

[1] Behavioural Techniques for Children with ADHD (2009) Behavioural Techniques for Children with ADHD Retrieved September 19, 2009 from, http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-behavioral-techniques?page=2