ADHD Breakthrough

Campus Report ^ | January 9, 2008 | Amanda Busse

[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.

[Old Professer]

From the CDC (I could fit half the people I ever worked with on a Monday morning in here):

Symptoms of ADHD

Español (Spanish)

The year 2000 Diagnostic & Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) provides criteria for diagnosing ADHD. The criteria are presented here in modified form in order to make them more accessible to the general public. They are listed here for information purposes and should be used only by trained health care providers to diagnose or treat ADHD.

DSM-IV Criteria for ADHD
I. Either A or B:

Six or more of the following symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months to a point that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Inattention

Often does not give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.

Often has trouble keeping attention on tasks or play activities.

Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.

Often does not follow instructions and fails to finish schoolwork, chores, or duties in the workplace (not due to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions).

Often has trouble organizing activities.

Often avoids, dislikes, or doesn’t want to do things that take a lot of mental effort for a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework).

Often loses things needed for tasks and activities (e.g. toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools).

Is often easily distracted.

Is often forgetful in daily activities.

Six or more of the following symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for developmental level:

Hyperactivity

Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.

Often gets up from seat when remaining in seat is expected.

Often runs about or climbs when and where it is not appropriate (adolescents or adults may feel very restless).

Often has trouble playing or enjoying leisure activities quietly.

Is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor”.

Often talks excessively.

Impulsivity

Often blurts out answers before questions have been finished.

Often has trouble waiting one’s turn.

Often interrupts or intrudes on others (e.g., butts into conversations or games).

Some symptoms that cause impairment were present before age 7 years.

Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. at school/work and at home).

There must be clear evidence of significant impairment in social, school, or work functioning.

The symptoms do not happen only during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. The symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder).

Based on these criteria, three types of ADHD are identified:

ADHD, Combined Type: if both criteria 1A and 1B are met for the past 6 months

ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Type: if criterion 1A is met but criterion 1B is not met for the past six months

ADHD, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: if Criterion 1B is met but Criterion 1A is not met for the past six months.

American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric Association, 2000.

[steve86]

I feel that if a healthy bare-handed spank won't fix it then something more dramatic won't either.

P.S. Be careful what you post on the Internet. It can be used against you.

[najida]

And your point being? You can cut and paste?
;)

Not impressed by you at all.

[Betis70]

Yup, hyper-focus. I actually didn’t know I had it till I was an adult and my mom told me that the teachers tried to force my parents to medicate me. I read one of Thom Hartmann’s books and saw a lot of my childhood written on those pages.

I like your ping pong ball analogy, never really thought about it that way. I’m convinced playing sports got me through high school.

[weef]

The depth of ignorance on this thread is staggering.

Agree. Summary of thread: "Well in my day if someone had [insert ailment you can't comprehend here, e.g., ADHD, ADD, polio, etc.], we just used to beat the faker with a [insert your favorite disciplinary tool here, e.g., ruler, stick, XBox360, etc.] until they were cured".

[Alkhin]

Ive been wondering about that Total Transformation program!! thanks for talking about it, because my daughter, who was a preemie, has had problems with focus and while I did not go through the process of labeling her ADD, I did use Adderol and other prescriptives to see if it would help. That was several years ago and we’ve not used it, but she is a full fledged teenager now and the arguments are frequent. You would think as a homeschooler I would have this under control!!

[Dr.Deth]

Childhood is a syndrome which has only recently begun to receive serious attention from clinicians. The syndrome itself, however, is not at all recent. As early as the 8th century, the Persian historian Kidnom made references to "short, noisy creatures," who may well have been what we now call "children." The treatment of children, however, was unknown until this century, when so-called "child psychologists" and "child psychiatrists" became common. Despite this history of clinical neglect, it has been estimated that well over half of all Americans alive today have experienced childhood directly (Suess, 1983). In fact, the actual numbers are probably much higher, since these data are based on self-reports which may be subject to social desirability biases and retrospective distortion.

The growing acceptance of childhood as a distinct phenomenon is reflected in the proposed inclusion of the syndrome in the upcoming Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, or DSM-IV, of the American Psychiatric Association (1990). Clinicians are still in disagreement about the significant clinical features of childhood, but the proposed DSM-IV will almost certainly include the following core features:

1. Congenital onset
2. Dwarfism
3. Emotional lability and immaturity
4. Knowledge deficits
5. Hyperactivity
6. Legume anorexia

[Lee'sGhost]

Thanks. I’ve been posting for awhile. This subject and the “experts” posting ab it burn me up.

[najida]

>>SNORT!!<<

THAT IS IT!

[Old Professer]

Then ask him again if he ever thought that perhaps he thought you might be disappointed by the fact he was “different.”

School shouldn’t be traumatic.

I have thought for a long time that a study should be done of those diagnosed children who still remember being separated apart from their “peer” group by being singled out this way.

[shbox]

I told you my experiences as a kid. I cannot speak for the rest of the world.

My Dad put the fear of God into us by his voice. If that didn’t work, it was by his hand.

Thats the way I was raised and it worked for us. I didn’t live with others, so I have no idea what worked with others. All I can say is what worked for us.

[pabianice]

When I was in school they were just rotten kids. After a few sessions with the principal their “ADHD” magically disappeared.

[najida]

Check the forums I just posted....

Lots of folks there who were ADHD kids who are now adults. I’ll tell you that most I know felt their lives got better they day they were diagnosed.

[driftdiver]

Heard a report once that 12% of all the children in the great socialist state of Mass were on Ritalin as treatment for this ‘disease’.

[NavyCanDo]

Now in all truth we have not had him tested for ADHD, but there is no doubt for me or my wife that he has most of the symptoms.

The symptoms we observe most is his endless energy. I describe it as all afterburner and no rudder. He can run and run and run back and forth, in the yard, in the hall, anywhere.

He has restless butt syndrome. He can rarely sit at the dinner table without having to get up and do something or get something. It’s like a force is pulling him away.

He very often waves his hands up and down very fast, like he is air drumming. Almost like an involuntary habit.

We have purchased Total Transformation and Total Focus wish is more focused on ADHD, especially for teems. That is something you may want to check out.

[NavyCanDo]

“After a few sessions with the principal their “ADHD” magically disappeared.”

??????????????????????

No signs of intelligence on this planet Captain, lets try another.

[the OlLine Rebel]

“Another factor is the disconnect between what a kids wear to school and how they are supposed to behave.”

Not a bad thought. And unfortunately, I think that applies to everyone these days. Not just children.

[Old Professer]

Read this guy, http://asaandrews.com/; he’s somewhere between an ascetic and a faith healer who swears by castor oil.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Actually, I do wish everyone (both pro- and anti-) would stop equating all ADD with “hyperactivity”.

It’s mostly about whether they can/will concentrate. The “hyper” only comes in with ADHD.

My nephew was not “hyper” although pretty active. In fact, he acted like a slug when he was being “bad”. He just refused to work when told to. Seemed to disconnect.

[Antoninus]

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

Hey, I've got 3 boys and 2 girls and we'll never know if one of them has ADHD or not because we're homeschooling and we can adapt to each kids particular learning style--and apply the proper "motivation" if necessary.