Lee Benzacar

Lifespan development

ADHD Literature Review

ADHD is a disorder that afflicts children and adults alike. The worldwide prevalence has
been described as over 5%. There are many differences of opinions about the diagnosis of
ADHD, the way to treat ADHD, and how we educate those who have ADHD. With ADHD being
such a prevalent ailment, there are many misconceptions and theories being formed. A few of
the important topics to review are seen below.

The signs and symptoms of ADHD have been fairly well identified. They include trouble
focusing, making mistakes, not listening, losing things and generally not being organized,
extreme focus on preferred activities, difficulty staying on task, impulsive decision making, as
well as difficulty controlling emotions. For those with hyperactivity, this can be seen as difficulty
staying still, fidgeting, or other restless movements. Also, hyperactivity can be seen in speech,
as in talking for extended periods of time without stopping. The severity of symptoms and
abnormal behavior patterns in children and teenagers with ADHD varies widely. Diagnosis, too,
can be quite subjective, varying from doctor to doctor. Some believe that ADHD is about
context, due to the fact that one of the only times where ADHD is a concern is in a classroom.
While elsewhere, the ability to focus on something you have set your mind to, be it preferred
task or otherwise is quite valuable. As ADHD is called a problem in a context, in another light it
is an advantage with several applications to the world outside. For example: ADHD is shown to
have a greater rate of occurrence in native groups that have migrated south, coinciding with a
known symptom of ADHD in which those afflicted are easily distracted. In theory, this means
that those who were living north, in the colder areas might go wandering off down south, only to
find warmer lands to settle in, improving life for those natives that kept moving south throughout
generations.

There are two types of ADHD medication prescribed, the common stimulant, and the
uncommonly prescribed nonstimulant. While medication is often prescribed, many parents feel
that they wished they had not used stimulant medication for their child. One survey showed the
following: Only 52 percent of the parents agreed strongly that if they had to do it over again,
they would have their kids take medication, and 44 percent wished there was another way to
Lee Benzacar
Lifespan development
help their child. Lately, there have been concerns on the effectiveness of the medication and
the cost. Some scientists have started to think that when ADHD medication increases
dopamine production, it also increases tolerance and lessens the effectiveness of the drug
used. Anyways, the effectiveness of medication deteriorates over extended periods of use, so
we increase the dosage until we cant keep upping it.

ADHD is often diagnosed primarily because of how a child acts in a controlled

environment, such as a classroom. Usually, it is the teacher who identifies symptoms, however,
their claim may be more related to the childs difficult behavior rather than their biological needs.
Teachers and those in school systems alike have no right to give recommendations for their
students medication needs, however they can suggest that they are evaluated by a
professional.
Individualized Educational plans (IEPS) are used to help a child success in the environment by
offering modifications such as sitting closer to the front of the classroom. Others believe that it is
possible to train the brain out to strengthen the areas that are weaker in an ADHD individual.
Norman Doidge sThe Brain that Changes Itself refers to neuroplasticity of the brain and refers
to many instances where specific exercises have led to this kind of strengthening.

The signs and symptoms of ADHD are often considered detrimental, however new
theories include seeing ADHD as an aid to people of the past and merely a detriment to those in
the classroom. Depending on your view, medication may play a role in the treatment of an
ADHD child or adult. However, there are other forms of treatment or ways to help that do not
involve medication. Neuroplasticity is a newer field that has been applied to helping those with
ADHD.