Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.ppt

Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder DEFINITION: The essential feature of Attention- Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed and severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development. (APA 2000) Prevalence Approximately 3 to 7 % of school aged children have AD/HD Identification increasing dramatically Ratio of boys to girls is 9 to 3 DSM- IV 55% combination type, 27% inattentive type, 18% hyperactive-impulsive type Vast majority are European American Characteristics Three Subtypes: Predominantly Inattentive Type Predominantly Hyperactive- Impulsive Type Combined Type AD/HD Subtypes Characteristics Myths About Causes Research has discounted many environmental explanations including myths such as: too much or too little sugar, aspartame, food sensitivity, food additives, lack of vitamins, television, video games, yeast, lightning, fluorescent lighting and allergies Causes Biological Explanations: Certain teratogens increase the likelihood that a child will develop AD/HD (such as maternal smoking and alcohol or drug abuse, poor nutrition, and the mother’s exposure to chemicals, as well as blood pressure, age, and length of pregnancy) Postnatal trauma such as brain injuries, infections, iron deficiency, and exposure to chemical poisons also increase the probability that a child will develop AD/HD Brain research is also now revealing that AD/HD appears to be a result from failure in the part of the brain controlling inhibition and self control Researchers believe 80% of differences between students with and without AD/HD have a genetic explaination Strategies for Teaching Students with AD/HD Classroom setup Seat students in rows not tables Keep student away from distracting areas such as windows, doors, and pencil sharpeners, also away from teacher’s desk if students will be coming up to it to ask que