ADHD

=ADHD = ** (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) ** ** ADHD is a problem with inattentiveness, over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination. This disorder falls under the category of learning disabilities. **

Symptoms include:
-difficulty paying attention to details -easily distracted -inability to stay on task -procrastination -forgetfulness of in daily activities -frequent shifts in conversation -fidgeting and squirming when seated -getting up frequently to walk or run around -restlessness -often talking excessively -having difficulty playing or engaging in quiet activities

Causes:
<span style="color: #d466fa; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">**Genes** <span style="color: #d466fa; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">Children with ADHD carry a particular version of a certain gene, resulting in thinner brain tissue in the areas of the brain associated with attention. About 15-40% of children with ADHD have a parent with the condition. <span style="color: #d466fa; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">**Environmental Factors** <span style="color: #d466fa; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">There is a potential link between smoking and drinking during pregnancy and children with ADHD. Young children exposed to high levels of lead have a higher risk of developing ADHD. <span style="color: #d466fa; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">**Brain Injuries** <span style="color: #d466fa; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">Only a small number of those with ADHD have suffered a traumatic brain injury, though. <span style="color: #d466fa; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">**Sugar** <span style="color: #d466fa; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">Some believe that consuming refined sugar causes ADHD or intensifies symptoms. <span style="color: #d466fa; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">**Food Additives** <span style="color: #d466fa; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">There is a possible link between the consumption of artificial colors and preservatives and an increase in activity. <span style="color: #d466fa; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">*Research shows that ADHD is the result of an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain.

<span style="color: #04d219; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">General Public Perception of the Disorder:
<span style="color: #3ef83a; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-ADHD is not a real medical disorder. <span style="color: #3ef83a; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-Accommodations made for children with ADHD give the children unfair advantages. <span style="color: #3ef83a; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-Children with ADHD eventually outgrow their condition. <span style="color: #3ef83a; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-Boys are the only ones affected by ADHD. <span style="color: #3ef83a; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-ADHD is a result of bad parenting. <span style="color: #3ef83a; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-Children who take ADHD medication are more likely to abuse drugs as teenagers. <span style="color: #3ef83a; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-People who have ADHD are stupid and lazy, which means they'll amount to nothing.

<span style="color: #f609a6; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">The Truth:
<span style="color: #fb70d9; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-ADHD IS a real medical condition. <span style="color: #fb70d9; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-Children who are given accommodations because of their ADHD are NOT given an unfair advantage. Things are just being presented to them in different ways. <span style="color: #fb70d9; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-More than 50% of children with ADHD continue to have it as adults. <span style="color: #fb70d9; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-Boys AND girls are affected by ADHD. <span style="color: #fb70d9; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-ADHD is a medical disorder. It does NOT result from bad parenting. <span style="color: #fb70d9; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-Children who take ADHD medication are just as likely to abuse drugs as teenagers and "normal" children. <span style="color: #fb70d9; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">- Though some adults have the inability to hold steady jobs, this does not mean that people with ADHD are stupid and lazy.

<span style="color: #f97b15; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">Treatment:
<span style="color: #fba665; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-Treatment involves medication or therapy, or a combination. <span style="color: #fba665; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-Stimulants are the medications used to treat ADHD. <span style="color: #fba665; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-The main drugs prescribed are: amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methyphindate. <span style="color: #fba665; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-Medication does not cure ADHD, but they alleviate the symptoms.

<span style="color: #f4060c; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">Related Disorders:
<span style="color: #fb6565; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: center;">-Learning disabilities-Tourette Syndrome-Oppositional Defiant Disorder-Anxiety Disorder-Depression-Conduct Disorder-Bipolar Disorder

**Sources:** www.webmed.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-symptoms http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/what-causes-adhd.shtml http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consortium-of-adhd-organizations-join-forces-for-adhd-awareness-week-september-13-17-102466924.html http://www.healia.com/healthguide/guides/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/what-treatments-are-available-for-adhd http://psychcentral.com/lib/2007/problems-related-to-adhd/ Moragne, Wendy. //Attention Deficit Disorder//. Brookfield, CT: Millbrook, 1996. Print.

**Brooke Fisher** ** Sammi Hummer **