...ADHD, Whether or Not to Medicate a Child Samantha Edmondson COM/155 September 21, 2014 Laura L. Griepp ADHD, Whether or Not to Medicate a Child With the diagnosis of ADHD in children becoming such a controversial subject because of the medications that doctors prescribe; parents have difficult decisions to make. My son, T.J., has had ADHD since he was five years old, and has had many trials and tribulations with the medication that his doctor placed him on to help with the issues that come from ADHD. The medication has made him very violent with his little brother, and he has had emotional episodes to the point of hospitalization and has also excelled in school because of the choice that I made to place him on the medication. For parents, there are many things that need careful consideration when deciding whether medication is the right avenue to take for their child’s course of treatment. Things to consider are diagnosis and treatment, what the pros and cons of taking the medication be, and whether or not the medication is the right decision for their child because of all the controversy behind this disorder. When a parent first starts to question if their child has a diagnosis of ADHD there are a couple things that need addressing in order to find out for sure. In order to receive a diagnosis for ADHD; the child needs to be showing certain symptoms that go along with the disorder. Symptoms to look for in a child that could have ADHD are things like having trouble focusing...
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...Medicate My ADHD Child? Parents always want to do what is best for their child, so if I had a child that was diagnosed with ADHD, I would want to make sure that I make the right choice when it comes to medication. Medicating an ADHD child can control impulses and hyperactivity, and improve the ability to concentrate and follow through with tasks. For some children this is the best choice because the medication will help them to do better in school, both academically and socially. For others, medication may not be the best choice because it can have alot of negative side effects such as headaches, depression, dizziness, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. Medication can also have some severe side effects such as cheast pain, shortness of breathe and even sudden death in children with heart problems. Any one of these is enough for a parent to make the desicion not to medicate their child. That is why it is important that I get all the facts about the medication and make sure that this is really the best choice for my ADHD child. There are many reasons why I wouldn't medicate my child. Many children with health problems such as high blood pressure, Hyperthyroidism, Glaucoma and any kind of heart problem cannot take ADHD medication. If my child were to have any of these conditions then I definately would not medicate my child. If my child didn't have any of those problems, then I would have to look at all the side effects of ADHD medications...
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...Diagnosis of ADHD in Youth Brent Townes COM/172 November 10, 2014 Crystal Hicks Diagnosis of ADHD in Youth There have been a lot of studies done on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in the school aged children of today. The Center for Dieses Control and Prevention has completed a mass survey that states 1 and 5 school aged boys has been diagnosed with ADHD, and 11 percent of school aged children overall (ages 4-17 years old). Approximately 6.4 million have been diagnosed as of 2011. This number has increased from 7.8% in 2003 to 11% in 2011. Boys are 13.2% more likely than girls at 5.6% to ever be diagnosed with ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is a real disorder that needs to be addressed, but does not always need medication to treat it. Diagnosis of ADHD For a child to be diagnosed with ADHD there is certain criteria that is supposed to be met. There are several steps to the process in being diagnosed with ADHD, however, there is not one test alone that can diagnosis it. There are many other issues such as anxiety, depression, and other learning disabilities that have similar symptoms as ADHD. There was recently a new manual printed for medical professionals called DSM-5 to diagnosis ADHD. There was a few changes to the DSM-5 such as: symptoms can occur by age 12 rather than by age 6; and adults and children 17 and older are only required to have 5 symptoms rather than the 6 symptoms for children 16 and younger. Here are a few examples...
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...How is ADHD Diagnosed? Background When ADHD was first discovered, the language used to describe the symptoms of one with ADHD was somewhat judgmental. George Still was one of these people to describe ADHD in a potentially offensive way. According to (Chandler, 2010): “George Still described 43 children who had a ‘moral defect in control.’ He continued with a rich description of over-activity, aggression, little inhibitory volition (impulsivity), and passion, but also resistance to punishment—a familiar set of behaviors to those who look after a youngster with ADHD” (p. 34). Still’s identification of ADHD descriptions was only the beginning of understanding ADHD in the medical community. Further research discovered that the brain was the...
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...PAPER ON ADHD Abstract Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral development disorder among children. In the United States there are at least 2 million grade school children that are diagnosed with the disorder (Dupper, 2003). ADHD is determined to be one of the most common development disorders in children (Barlow & Durand, 2009). This paper will discuss the different aspects of ADHD, its symptoms, common traits, and the known treatments being used by clinicians. Moreover, the paper will also touch on the important things to consider when dealing with ADHD, particularly in the area of social work. By doing so, it will determine why social work should be an integral part of the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER (ADHD) Dr. George Still was the first to diagnose ADHD in 1902 (Rafalovich, 2001). He detected the disorder in 20 children who all had impaired concentration and over-activity. However it was only after the encephalitis outbreak in the United States from 1917- 1918 that serious study of the disorder took place (Rafalovich, 2001). Clinically called encephalitis luthargica was identified as a specific disease category of children demonstrating unconventional behavior (Rafalovich, 2001). The study of encephalitis luthargica paved the way for research modality in psychiatry that became the neurological basis for childhood deviance, exemplified by modern study of ADHD (Rafalovich, 2001). Today ADHD holds the...
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...Impact of ADHD on a Child’s Schooling SS3150: Research Methods Steven Smith Impact of ADHD on a Child’s Schooling Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurological disorder and is mainly diagnosed in childhood, although it can carry on into adulthood. ADHD often occurs in more in males than females. A child with ADHD might daydream, forget or lose things, fidget, talk too much, and having trouble socializing. School can be very challenging for a child with ADHD. A child with ADHD may have trouble concentrating in school, have difficulties reading and writing, and have trouble making friends and socializing. A child with ADHD has a hard time concentrating on schoolwork and paying attention in the classroom. Most school/classroom requirements are sitting still, listen quietly, paying attention, and following instructions; these are things that a child with ADHD has trouble with, because their brains will not let them focus. As a result to the lack of concentration and not being able to pay attention while the teacher is teaching can result in low grades and even having to repeat a grade. It is normal for a child to have some type of trouble focusing or to misbehave in school, but children with ADHD do not outgrow these types of misbehaviors. A child with ADHD may have trouble staying in one spot for a long time, for example, a student who cannot stay in his/her seat in school. They demand attention by interrupting the class. A child with ADHD...
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...2015 ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER 2 Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a biological disorder that makes it hard for many children as well as adults to sit still for short as well; as long periods of time. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the key behaviors to ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder has three subtypes. One subtype is Predominately Hyperactive-Impulse whereas most (six or more) of the symptoms are in the hyperactive impulsivity categories. Fewer than six symptoms of inattention are present although; inattention may still be present to some degree. Predominately Inattentive is the second subtype. The majority of the symptoms are in the inattention category and fewer than six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity may still be present to some degree. Children with this subtype are less likely to act out or have difficulties getting along with other children. This child may be overlooked by teachers, and parents and go unnoticed as having ADHD. The third subtype is Combined Hyperactive-Impulsive and Inattentive. Six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity are present. Most children have the combined type of ADHD. There was a time when ADHD was called Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) but, the proper and preferred term is...
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...Association spoke about ADHD and the steps and processes for caring for the disorder. CDC explained how ADHD had increased every year and the average age for a child to diagnose is seven years old. Boys are more affected with ADHD than girls are. Medical treatment for ADHD also increases due to medication and seeing specialist. Social relationship for a child with ADHD has it downfalls. CDC said “Parents report that children with a history of ADHD are almost 10 times as likely to have difficulties that interfere with friendships” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Also children with ADHD show more injuries and hospital visits than a child without ADHD. Lastly the cost of being diagnosed with ADHD can cost over millions of dollars that will included medication, health care, and treatment. From the high percentage of ADHD being diagnosed in children parents’ income have decreases because of the cost of disorder. ADHD has increased since 2003 till 2011. It states that children between the ages of 4-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. ADHD has increased numerous times throughout the years. Due to the increase of ADHD study have shown that children are having problems with social skills, parents keeping up with medical bills, the cost of ADHD and how dangerous it can be being diagnosed with ADHD. Social skills average that 7% of children are diagnosed with ADHD. Having mental illnesses and functional impairments can cause a problem for a child diagnosed with ADHD. ADHD medical bills...
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...http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com Adults and Children with ADHD, Cincinnati: Tyrell and Jerem; Press, 1993 Barkley, Russel A. Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents. New York: The Gilford Press, 2009. Eli Lilly and Company Strattera. Strattera 10 April, 2005 Wilens, Timothy E. Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids New York: The Guilford Press, 1999 Most people have heard of the term Attention Deficit Hyperactive (ADHD) disorder. “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological disorder that interferes with an individual ability to attend to tasks (inattention), inhibits ones behavior (impulsivity), and may interfere with a persons ability to regulate ones activity level (hyper-activity) in developmentally appropriate ways (Barkley 19). The most important job for teachers and parents is to separate fact from fiction, to clarify what we know and dont know. Properly diagnosing ADHD, medication choices, and behavioral interventions are the key focal point. Is medication truly worth the side effects? Diagnosing ADHD As the name implies, ADHD is typically characterized by two distinct sets of symptoms: inattention and hyperactivity / impulsivity. Although these problems usually occur together, one may be present without the other and still qualify for an ADHD diagnosis. Children are diagnosed with ADHD when they have met specific guidelines within these two categories...
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...English Composition 1 September 4th 2013 A deeper look at the CDC article on ADHD The article written by the CDC on ADHD is very informative and eye opening. It forces parents to take a deeper look at the truths of this disorder. It shows the many different signs and symptoms that can better help to diagnose the disorder. It speaks to parents, guardians, and care givers on ways to treat and handle children with ADHD. The article shows how getting proper diagnosing is very important in helping children begin to overcome ADHD. The CDC article is informative on the best treatments and symptoms of ADHD. CDC (also known as the centers for disease control and prevention) saving lives protecting people is their motto. “They conduct critical science and protect people from health threats. They do studies not only in the US but abroad as well”. (CDC home page mission statement) There are many signs and symptoms we need to be aware of when dealing with ADHD. If a child day dreams a lot or has a bad memory, they could possibly have ADHD. Other signs to watch for are being squirmy, talking a lot and having trouble taking turns. Just because you see some of these signs, does not mean the child has ADHD. That is why having the child evaluated by a professional is so important. Children showing some of these signs will often have a tough time in school and at home. Staying focused is a difficult task for children with ADHD. They often have a tough time getting along with other children. Having...
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...Running head: ADHD AND HOW IT RELATES TO FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS 1 ADHD AND HOW IT RELATES TO FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS 8 ADHD and How It Relates to Families and Schools Hayleigh Weldin California State University, Bakersfield Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most predominant childhood disorders and it is a community and family health problem that can result in meaningful psychiatric, social, family, and academic problems if not treated (Ercan, Ercan, Atilgan, Basay, Uysal, Berrin, & Ardic, 2015). ADHD, affects approximately five percent of school children worldwide and usually presents itself in early childhood (Prasad, Brogan, Mulvaney, Grainge, Stanton, & Sayal, 2013). Children with ADHD display...
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...TREAT THE CHILD OR CHANGE THE WAY WE EDUCATE | CHRISTINE VAYDA | SNHU | English Composition 2 | In the United States an average of 11% of the children between ages 4 and 17 are diagnosed with the medical disorder called ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects school aged children. This percentage has increased from 7.8% in 2003. With this disorder increasing 3% per year, some begin to wonder if it is the children that are needing to be “fixed” or is it the way we teach our children. Are there alternatives to helping children with their focus other the medication? Medicating children due to ADHD is not always the answer and often alters the child’s personality. There are alternate teaching methods available for students before having them medicated. Teachers can perform these teaching methods to help children focus better in school and not get bored. Parents can help by also delivering these methods at home. Kids with ADHD may have trouble with focus, acting without thinking, hyperactivity and troubles knowing what is expected of them because they have a difficult time sitting and paying attention, so focusing on something is very difficult. The symptoms that they experience typically happen over a long period of time and do not just come in go like with children that just may be excited or anxious about something. There are no test that can diagnose ADHD. In order to evaluate the child a Dr. will meet with...
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...ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders, the American Health Institute states “Approximately 3-7% of school-aged children have the disorder. Larger cities may have rates as high as 10-15%. About 4 million children are affected nation wide. “ The earliest your child can get tested is 3 years old, so if you see any symptoms in your child your child should be tested because they may have adhd. Psych Central states “ About 20 to 30 percent of children with ADHD also have a learning disability (LD). This is a problem that is unexpected given the child’s general intelligence In preschool children, this often appears as a difficulty understanding certain sounds or words and/or difficulty in expressing oneself in words. In school age...
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...Introduction Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has long been a controversial topic due to its’ causes, diagnosis, as well as the treatments. Some critics of this controversy deny the very existence of ADHD as a mental disorder and believe that the physicians along with pharmaceutical industry are conspired with one another just to fill their pockets. While others believe that not only ADHD is a genetic mental disorder but also a disorder that may be caused by the environmental factors like geographical location, parenting and diet. Furthermore, many studies show that ADHD is in fact a mental disorder that affects many children and adults. ADHD is not over diagnosed and needs to be treated, however the treatment should not consist...
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...Children are rowdy. Many teachers hound parents about getting a child evaluated for ADHD and put on medication for small actions that are typically just normal childhood antics. Lots of students have even witnessed teachers saying that just because a child is noisy because they haven’t quite learned, that they have ADHD. Not every child that has attention problems has ADHD and needs to be put on medication because it can harm them. Children are being referred to doctors to be evaluated for ADHD because they have attention problems. Little ones are prone to having small attention spans and no teacher seems...
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