About ADHD

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder (without the hyperactivity)
• A real condition that affects about 5% of school age children, more common in boys with a ratio of 1 girl to every 4 boys – but this may be explained by the fact that girls are less likely to show the hyperactive behaviours and therefore go undiagnose
• It is a neuropsychiatric condition which is reported to be the result of some abnormalities in the frontal lobe of the brain resulting in neurotransmitter dysfunction – the area known to control impulse and regulate the way in which we direct our attention
• One of the most common disorders of childhood and adolescence
• It is estimated that by the age of 25, 15% of people diagnosed with ADHD during their childhood still display a range of symptoms and that 65% still have symptoms which affect their daily lives – it is a lifelong illness

Despite some opinions and reports, ADHD it is not due to bad parenting or a ‘fancy label’ for naughty children.  Many parents report that they bring all their children up the same way but despite their persistence and patience one child is impossible to discipline and is very different from the rest.

“I could not understand what we were doing wrong.  The sanctions and rules imposed on the other have no effect on him whatsoever.”  (parent) 

Schools may comment that the rest of the family cause are no problems except this one child.

“The teacher kept saying to me why can’t you be more like your sister and brother, they don’t give us the problems you do.”  (young person)

It is now reported that there may also be a  genetic component to ADHD and that ADD / ADHD is approxametly 80% inheritable.  ADHD may not always be so obvious in either parent however, it may sometimes have missed a generation and parents have reported that an uncle or aunt had a difficult time at school and while growing up.  In other cases, where there has been continual family problems, including family breakdowns, long term unemployment, criminal involvement, it may be more obvious.  Many parents have now realised this and are very keen to break the cycle.

“When my son was diagnosed I realised that his father also had ADHD, but unfortunately as he was never diagnosed he never got help by which time it was too late for him.  I want things to be different for my son.”  (parent)

With the correct Support and early intervention children / young people with ADHD can learn to manage their challenges and can go on to lead happy and fullfilled lives.