Adhd Characteristics Help To Determine Which Subtype Of ADHD Your Child Has
The issue of adhd characteristics is a bit of a touchy one, depending upon which country you reside in. For instance, in the United States the diagnostic criteria set out by the APA (American Psychiatric Association) in their DSM-IV manual practically ensure that any child evaluated for this disorder is likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. On the other hand, in the United Kingdom, a different set of diagnostic criteria exist and children being diagnosed with ADHD are fewer in number than their American counterparts. The approach to treatment also differs. In the UK treatment begins with the parents and family rather than with the child. The parents are taught techniques and other skills to enable them to handle the ADHD behavior that their child exhibits. This is hugely successful and has resulted in fewer children being medicated. But in the US treatment begins with medicating the child.
When a child is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder in the US they are immediately and routinely prescribed stimulant medications including Ritalin and Adderall. These are very strong medications and there is a high risk of abuse. Many children have been known to sell their meds at school and to other kids, even to college students. Students will use these drugs even if they do not have ADHD in order to lose weight, for example. College students use them because they are stimulants and help them to pull all-nighters when they are cramming for an exam or other project. This is why parents are always told that the administration of the drugs must be under strict adult supervision.
Unfortunately many children do not respond well to the drugs and suffer with side-effects. The doctor will adjust the dosage and try other stimulant ADHD meds in a bid to find the right one for the child in order to treat and combat the adhd characteristics that they exhibit. If these drugs all prove to be ineffective or unsuitable, non-stimulant drugs will be tried. Once again the process of adjusting dosage will be undertaken. Parents need to understand that although a drug like Strattera is a non-stimulant there is still the risk of side effects that many children find intolerable.
The three subtypes of ADHD that we looked at briefly above each have a set of behaviors and symptoms that classify them. Depending upon the symptoms and behaviors that your child exhibits they will be diagnosed in one of the three subtypes. Not all children with ADHD are hyperactive. Inattentive type ADHD does not have the hyperactive/impulsive component and is often overlooked or missed by the adults in the child’s life because of that. The symptoms associated with Inattentive ADHD are:
* Disinterest
* Difficulty maintaining concentration
* Daydreaming
* Appears to not listen when spoken to directly
* Difficulty following instructions or directions
* Careless
Very often the child with Inattentive ADHD is labelled as being lazy and uncommitted to their responsibilities. It is not uncommon to hear teachers say something such as: ‘She is so clever and can do better but she just will not apply herself to her schoolwork!’ Unfortunately this can lead to self-image and self-esteem problems as the child eventually accepts that they are stupid and ‘cannot do anything right’. Such a child really struggles and unless he or she is evaluated and diagnosed, they can end up as adults with low self-esteem.
Children who display adhd characteristics that include the hyperactive/impulsive traits are easier to spot. These children are not only rambunctious at home or on the school playground. Their hyperactive behavior is apparent in the classroom as well and the parents are likely to be contacted by the school and informed that their child is suspected of being ADHD. The traits of this subtype include:
* Constant fidgeting
* Always moving
* Jumping, running, playing, talking, shouting, etc. when it is inappropriate
* Inability to play quietly
* Easily distracted
* Disruptive
In the predominantly combined inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive ADHD subtype traits of the other two subtypes are displayed and exhibited. Most children in the United States are diagnosed with this particular subtype of the disorder.
If you are interested in learning more about adhd characteristics and about a product that can help you to combat the symptoms of ADHD in your child without the risk of alarming side-effects, please take a moment to visit my website at:http://www.adhd-treatment-info.com/. You will discover that it is possible to combat ADHD safely. By V K Rajagopalan – advocating smart healthy choices.
