Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

ADHD Breakthrough
Campus Report ^ | January 9, 2008 | Amanda Busse

Posted on 01/09/2008 11:21:34 AM PST by bs9021

ADHD Breakthrough

by: Amanda Busse, January 09, 2008

A new study suggests that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children may be a matter of maturity.

According to the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, ADHD in children is caused when portions of the brain mature at a slower pace than normal. For many, the condition eventually normalizes and nearly 80 percent of children grow out of the disorder, the researchers found.

Researchers used a new image-analysis technique to measure the thickening and thinning of thousands of cortex sites in 223 children with ADHD and 223 children without the disorder for the study. Scientists found that the cortex sites in children with the disorder reached peak thickness three years later, on average, than those in children without the disorder.

“There has been debate about whether ADHD is a delay or deviance from normal brain development,” the lead author of the study, Dr. Philip Shaw, told the Los Angeles Times, “This study comes down strongly in favor of delay.”

The cause for the delay in brain maturation which causes ADHD is unknown, but there is evidence that both genetic and environmental factors influence brain development.

At early ages, environmental factors that influence the inattention and lack of self control associated with ADHD may include certain parenting and teaching techniques, according to another study published in the same month in Developmental Psychology. The study found that self-control and maturity levels were affected by family life and filtered into the classroom setting.

(Excerpt) Read more at campusreportonline.net ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: adhd; brain; braindevelopment; disorders; maturity; medication
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 201-204 next last
To: Resolute Conservative

I’m a believer too....

Sibling and parent (ROF ADHD) and I’m totally ADD.
Meds make a sane life possible.


41 posted on 01/09/2008 11:58:25 AM PST by najida (Every tried to explain to Alltel that the cockatoo ate your cell phone?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: HungarianGypsy

Don’t you hate it when ignoramuses do that? One bad thing about the Internet is having to put up with so much of that crap (on various issues).


42 posted on 01/09/2008 11:59:08 AM PST by steve86 (Acerbic by nature, not nurtureā„¢)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: AU72
In the ‘50s the nuns in charge of 45+ size class rooms in my grammer school had no problems controlling fidgety brats.

Corolary to what I wrote above--fear of punishment is the ONLY thing that will get a 6 year-old to sit still for any length of time.
43 posted on 01/09/2008 11:59:25 AM PST by Antoninus (If you want the national GOP to look more like the Massachusetts GOP, vote for Flip Romney)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Old Professer
It’s BS; period.

No, as a parent of a child with ADHD, I can tell you that it's not.

It is overdiagnosed, and it is over medicated. But it's NOT BS.

My son is now 18 and still deals with some issues of his ADHD. We stopped meds way back when he hit puberty and, if we had it to do over, would probably not have done the meds at all.

But the condition is real.

44 posted on 01/09/2008 11:59:36 AM PST by Corin Stormhands (Only 351 shopping days 'til Christmas...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: najida

My Grandmas hickory switch was for lesser symptoms...

(shudder)


45 posted on 01/09/2008 12:00:47 PM PST by shbox (BobbyHill: "What's the matter with those people, Dad?" HankHill: "They're hippies, son")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: najida

The brain scans don’t show that the behavior is outside the range or the scope of society at large or that it is a permanent condition; they merely show that the activity matches the behavior which is not necessarily destructive.


46 posted on 01/09/2008 12:01:00 PM PST by Old Professer (The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, and writes again.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: bs9021

In the meantime, screw ‘em up royally with drugs!


47 posted on 01/09/2008 12:01:01 PM PST by Dionysius (Jingoism is no vice.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Corin Stormhands

I was among the firm skeptics of ADHD, and one of those who believed if the parent would just apply the board of education to their seat of knowledge they could cure the kid. But my 6-year old son most definitely has ADHD, and despite some peoples beliefs it is not something that can be beaten out of a child. I have learned in a short time that a kid with ADHD is not the same as a kid that is a spoiled brat. Far from it, my child is the sweetest kid who is very generous to others and fun loving. I have been working with him at home with that Total Transformation program that you hear advertised on the radio, and it does seem to have helped at home - but at school I have been pulled aside 3 times so far by his kindergarten teacher this year, to tell me is not listening to simple directions given in class. A typical incident would be her giving directions for the students to grab a pencil and eraser and gather in a circle on the mat. He will join the other kids on the mat, but be the only one who did not grab the pencil and eraser. I am working with him and things are getting better - but I don’t believe in giving them drugs, unless they are a danger to them selves or others, which he’s not.


48 posted on 01/09/2008 12:01:07 PM PST by NavyCanDo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: steve86

I call it “Burn the witch” mentality about medical issues.


49 posted on 01/09/2008 12:01:21 PM PST by najida (Every tried to explain to Alltel that the cockatoo ate your cell phone?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: fishergirl

I am very strict and punish at home for bad grades and behavior. Alas, nothing worked. Once my daughter got put on the Daytrana patch she started making all A’s, talking and fidgeting less, and had a longer attention span all the while remaining the happy, precocious, and want to be popstar child she has always been.

Trust me it is real just over diagnosed. I have 3 boys and 2 girls so I had a control group to work from.


50 posted on 01/09/2008 12:01:53 PM PST by Resolute Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: bpjam

Yep.

I have two sons who were both diagnosed in childhood by competent professionals as having ADHD. I accept the diagnosis.

I also believe that part of the problem was that highly intelligent and creative boys in an ultra-structured classroom are a pain in the you-know-what.

They were never put on meds. I wouldn’t allow it.

They were taught, day-by-day, what acceptable behavior was, what consequences were for improper behavior, and that they could wait to channel their creativity and energy in places outside the classroom.

Was it tough? You bet.

Today, both have advanced engineering degrees. They’re bright, fun, successful adults.

And they will always be square pegs fitting into a round-hole world.


51 posted on 01/09/2008 12:02:27 PM PST by Jedidah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Resolute Conservative

The “baby” of the family?


52 posted on 01/09/2008 12:02:47 PM PST by Old Professer (The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, and writes again.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Antoninus

I had 3 boys and it was the girl that has it. Your unlearned theory is flawed at best.


53 posted on 01/09/2008 12:03:09 PM PST by Resolute Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Old Professer

Read up on what is considered classic “ADD” or “ADHD” and get back to me.

It’s not about external behaviors but internal short circuits etc. The ability to sort thoughts, catagorize, tune out distractions, actually ‘hear’ what is being said over the chaos going on inside the head.

It’s not about ‘bad’ or active children being drugged but about helping kids who are in an internal hell of too much stimulus and unable to get out and interact.

It’s real and I thank God for the Dr.s who treat it.
(Coming from me, that’s a lot ;) )


54 posted on 01/09/2008 12:04:25 PM PST by najida (Every tried to explain to Alltel that the cockatoo ate your cell phone?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: fishergirl

I think you are right. I believe we have lowered the expectations of reasonable behavior by excusing the misbehavior of some kids and calling it an illness, syndrome or whatever in order to remove blame or eliminate the need for excuses. In my classes as a young student I often heard “Sit down, shut up and pay attention!” For those who thought they could not do so, a trip to the principal’s office was in order. Funny how many of us learned that we could sit still with the proper... encouragement.


55 posted on 01/09/2008 12:04:29 PM PST by NCLaw441
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: NavyCanDo

You’re example is typical of what we dealt with. The child can do all of the tasks, but not necessarily if you give them in sequence. Your son gets to the mat but forgets his pencil.

My son’s issues were never behavioral.


56 posted on 01/09/2008 12:05:00 PM PST by Corin Stormhands (Only 351 shopping days 'til Christmas...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 48 | View Replies]

To: bs9021
ADHD Breakthrough

ADHD = A DISEASE HIGH on DRUGS
57 posted on 01/09/2008 12:05:19 PM PST by modican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jedidah

Most folks don’t get that the majority of ADD/ADHD kids can be helped without being medicated. Some need the meds, but even then, they’re weaned off. The best treatment is like what you did...it’s hard work but knowing the whys of the behaviors makes all the difference.

I do know of a few adults who are still on meds, but that’s rare.


58 posted on 01/09/2008 12:06:31 PM PST by najida (Every tried to explain to Alltel that the cockatoo ate your cell phone?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Old Professer

No. # 4.

I firmly believe that #1 ( a boy ) had it too, not as bad, but back then ( he is 21 ) I wouldn’t allow myself to accept it either and called BS. In retrospect he had and I can see that I ( #1 out of 4 boys ) had it as well when I was younger. My girl has it worse though and all the discipline in the world would not mitigate it. So you no-believers do what you will you are short-changing some children and making their lives less than a child’s should be. How sad for the babies.


59 posted on 01/09/2008 12:07:37 PM PST by Resolute Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: Old Professer

You posted, in part: using the same logic, all refrigerators ought to be pink.
***
Actually refrigerators should be white.


60 posted on 01/09/2008 12:07:57 PM PST by NCLaw441
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 201-204 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson