In a daycare room full of children, some kids may prefer to sit and read quietly while others run around and play tag. Because children have varying personalities and different dispositions, it can be difficult at first glance to determine if any of them suffer from ADHD. ADHD was first described in 1902 by Sir George Still, a British pediatrician. The disorder was defined as ‘an abnormal defect of moral control in children.’ Sir George Still noted that affected children, although intelligent, could not control their behavior as effectively as their neurotypical counterparts. Throughout the years, our understanding of ADHD has changed, affecting the way it is diagnosed and the treatments available.
What is ADHD?
In 1937, medical director Charles Bradley discovered that children hospitalized for impaired behavior and learning abilities improved dramatically after being treated with Benzedrine. The seemingly paradoxical discovery of stimulants helping to improve inhibition control in hyperactive children would prove to be revolutionary. Nonetheless, thirty years passed before the National Institute of Mental Health funded its first study into the effects of stimulants on children with hyperactivity. In 1980, the name of the disorder was changed from hyperkinetic impulse disorder to attention deficit disorder (ADD). Seven years later, that was replaced with the current term: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Today, stimulants such as Adderall are frequently used to treat the symptoms of ADHD.
Because it can be challenging for laypeople to differentiate between ADHD symptoms and willful or post-traumatic behavior, there are sometimes dismissals of its manifestations as a mere matter of temperament. Fortunately, there is a growing mountain of research and publications that support the science. In fact, studies have shown that ADHD is coded in the genes, with evidence that it is highly heritable. The latest research has further shown that people with ADHD have minor brain executive function impairments and different neurological communication patterns compared to neurotypical people.
Currently, there are three accepted forms of ADHD. The first form is inattentive ADHD where people struggle to sustain attention, get easily distracted by environmental stimuli, and have a poor memory. This type of ADHD is more often observed in girls and adults. The second form is hyperactive-impulsive ADHD where people need to continuously be in motion, for example fidgeting or talking constantly. This type of ADHD is more often diagnosed in children and men. The third form of ADHD is a combined type whereby people demonstrate some symptoms from each of the two aforementioned forms. By using self-help resources such as a child ADHD quiz, parents can determine if their child is displaying symptoms of the disorder, and decide whether to seek a professional assessment.
How Could ADHD Affect My Family?
While most people are familiar with the major symptoms of ADHD—inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness—these are only a part of the possible manifestations that can impact the daily lives of children. Children with ADHD often struggle in school because the disorder can additionally cause learning disabilities, disorganization, and forgetfulness. This can translate to problems with understanding math, keeping track of homework, or studying for tests. The hyperactivity and inattention can also be misinterpreted as acting out towards their teachers, resulting in students being punished for actions that are out of their control.
Although children with ADHD can be just as creative and intelligent as their peers, many of them suffer from low self-esteem, causing them to feel unable to make friends and new connections. At the same time, other children with ADHD can be overly extroverted and energetic, sometimes unable to control their aggressive or emotional outbursts. Either way, both types of impulses can lead to children with ADHD feeling alienated and isolated, particularly if they are ostracized by their classmates.
At home, caregivers of children with ADHD are under additional pressure because they need to be actively involved in monitoring numerous aspects of their child’s day—from schoolwork to sibling interaction. Due to parents giving extra attention to the child with ADHD, siblings can feel neglected and resentful, more so if they must deal with disruption as well. As a result, parents can feel increasingly stressed and powerless about managing their child’s ADHD symptoms while the child with ADHD can develop long-lasting feelings of inadequacy.
A recent study has found that only 10 percent of children grow out of ADHD, which continues to manifest itself in adulthood, albeit in various ways and degrees. With this in mind, we need to further educate the public and expand the limited understanding of ADHD. We now know that ADHD not just affects children in the classroom but countless adults throughout their lives as well. Thankfully, there are more and more treatment options being developed to help people with ADHD. From medication to cognitive behavioral therapy and brain training, specialists can now tailor multimodal treatment strategies to maximize the quality of life for people with ADHD.
Parents are naturally invested in the contentment of their children. While ADHD cannot yet be cured, it can definitely be managed. By taking measures to address ADHD early and educating the people around them about the disorder, parents can provide their children with the support and encouragement they need to become healthy and happy individuals.
