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What is Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder?
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral
disorder that affects 3-5 percent of all American children. It interferes
with a person's ability to stay on a task and to exercise age-appropriate
inhibition (cognitive alone or both cognitive and behavioral). Some
of the warning signs of ADHD include failure to listen to instructions,
inability to organize oneself and school work, fidgeting with hands
and feet, talking too much, leaving projects, chores and homework unfinished,
and having trouble paying attention to and responding to details. There
are several types of ADHD: a predominantly inattentive subtype, a predominantly
hyperactive-impulsive subtype, and a combined subtype. ADHD is usually
diagnosed in childhood, although the condition can continue into the
adult years.
Is there any treatment?
The usual course of treatment may include medications such
as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), which
are stimulants that decrease impulsivity and hyperactivity and increase
attention. Most experts agree that treatment for ADHD should address
multiple aspects of the individual's functioning and should not be
limited to the use of medications alone. Treatment should include structured
classroom management, parent education (to address discipline and limit-setting),
and tutoring and/or behavioral therapy for the child.
What is the prognosis?
There is no "cure" for ADHD. Children
with the disorder seldom outgrow it; however, some may find adaptive
ways to accommodate the ADHD as they mature.
What research is being done
Several components of the NIH support research on developmental
disorders such as ADHD. Research programs of the NINDS, the National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and the National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development (NICHD) seek to address unanswered questions
about the causes of ADHD, as well as to improve diagnosis and treatment.
Organizations
CHADD - Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
8181 Professional Place, Suite 150
Landover, MD 20785
http://www.chadd.org
Tel: 301-306-7070 800-233-4050
Fax: 301-306-7090
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA)
P.O. Box 543
Pottstown, PA 19464
mail@add.org
http://www.add.org
Tel: 484-945-2101
Fax: 610-970-7520
Learning Disabilities Association of America
4156 Library Road, Suite 1
Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1349
info@ldaamerica.org
http://www.ldaamerica.org
Tel: 412-341-1515
Fax: 412-344-0224
National Center for Learning Disabilities
381 Park Avenue South, Suite 1401
New York, NY 10016
http://www.ld.org
Tel: 212-545-7510, 888-575-7373
Fax: 212-545-9665
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
6001 Executive Blvd. Rm. 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
nimhinfo@nih.gov
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Tel: 301-443-4513/866-615-NIMH (-6464) 301-443-8431 (TTY)
Fax: 301-443-4279
Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
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