Definitions
*Note:
please keep in mind that symptoms may greatly vary on an individual basis and
one should not stereotype individuals with ADHD as having all of the following
characteristics.
ADHD: (Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder) - “ADHD describes children who display persistent
age-inappropriate symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that
are sufficient to cause impairment in major life activities” (Mash & Wolfe,
2005, p.110)
Inattentive: not focusing on tasks and
behaving carelessly (forgetful, distracted, lose things, avoid long mental
tasks, disorganized, not following instructions, careless mistakes), unable to
persist doing a task even if they want to
Hyperactive: constantly moving, fidget,
don’t sit for long, excessive talking
Impulsive: act without thinking, lack
self-control, blurt out answers, don’t wait their turn, interrupt conversations
Etiology / Cause
- neurologically based problems of response inhibition causes problems in 4 areas of cognitive function including working memory, internalized speech, motivational appraisal and relating past experience to current situations
- noticeable before age of 7
- biological & environmental risk factors: genetic link, prenatal alcohol or tobacco exposure, pregnancy complications, environmental toxins such as lead
Incidence
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
- Rates of ADHD diagnosis increased an average of 3% per year from 1997 to 2006 and an average of 5.5% per year from 2003 to 2007.
- Rates of ADHD diagnosis increased at a greater rate among older teens as compared to younger children.
Prevalence
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2010002/article/11234/key-cle-eng.htm
Approximately 2.1% of Canadian children aged 6 to 11 had ADHD in 2010 (based on a scale including can’t sit still, distractible, fidgets, impulsive, difficulty sitting still, cannot settle for long, can’t concentrate, inattentive).
Approximately 2.1% of Canadian children aged 6 to 11 had ADHD in 2010 (based on a scale including can’t sit still, distractible, fidgets, impulsive, difficulty sitting still, cannot settle for long, can’t concentrate, inattentive).
