| Diagnosis has always been an issue. It's so easy to pin | | | | a short attention span when performing tasks or at |
| the label ADHD on a child just because he doesn't | | | | play.o Is easily distracted and often forgetful. |
| always pay attention, acts impulsively on occasion, is | | | | HYPERACTIVITY:o Constantly fidgets or squirms.o |
| seemingly in constant motion, and causes you to count | | | | Can't sit or play quietly.o Is always on the move and |
| to ten a hundred times a day. Lots of kids behave that | | | | talks too much. |
| way, but it doesn't mean they have attention-deficit | | | | IMPULSIVITY:o Can't wait his or her turn.o Frequently |
| hyperactivity disorder. It's just so hard to be sure. | | | | interrupts.o Answers questions before they're fully |
| FACTS: | | | | asked. |
| 1. ADHD is a neurobehavioral condition. | | | | Only physicians-not schools-can diagnose children as |
| 2. 5 million children have been diagnosed with ADHD in | | | | having the condition; however, it's always been based |
| this country and the number is growing. | | | | solely on observations and parent testimony. Now, as |
| 3. Twice as many boys as girls have ADHD. | | | | recently reported on KYW 1060, comes an objective |
| 4. ADHD and intelligence are unrelated. | | | | assessment to help in the diagnosis of ADHD: the |
| 5. It's hard to diagnose in children five-years-old and | | | | Quotient ADHD System Test. |
| younger and in teens. | | | | As the company explains, "Although such a challenge |
| No longer commonly referred to as ADD, there are | | | | test may appear simple, the task requires the patient |
| three subtypes of ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity | | | | to call on their abilities to maintain attention and control |
| impulsive behavior, or a combination of both. And it's | | | | hyperactivity and impulsivity, much in the same way |
| diagnosed only if a child regularly and persistently | | | | one must respond in a classroom, home or workplace |
| exhibits six or more symptoms of inattention or six or | | | | environment." Moreover, the test:o Takes only 15 to 20 |
| more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity in at least | | | | minutes to administer.o Analyzes and compares |
| two settings. | | | | results to a reference database of more than 2,000 |
| Signs of these behaviors are many and can include, | | | | children.o Has proven to be 88.9% accurate in |
| for example: | | | | recognizing ADHD.o Adds a vital element of objectivity |
| INATTENTION:o Doesn't attend closely to details.o Has | | | | to an otherwise totally subjective ADHD diagnosis. |