| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is | | | | describe specific genetic aspects of ADHD. |
| characterized by behavioral and learning disorders & | | | | Brain Damage: While the majority of ADHD is believed |
| particularly by a persistent pattern of inattention or | | | | to be genetic in nature, around one-fifth of all ADHD |
| hyperactivity, as well as forgetfulness, poor impulse | | | | cases were considered to be acquired after |
| control or impulsivity, and distractibility. It is a condition in | | | | conception due to brain injury caused by either toxins |
| which it is hard for children to control their behavior and | | | | or physical trauma prenatally or postnatally. Some |
| or pay attention & was first described by Dr. Heinrich | | | | children who have suffered accidents leading to brain |
| Hoffman in the year 1845. While a section of scientific | | | | injury may show some signs of behavior similar to that |
| society is contentious about its existence & prefers to | | | | of ADHD. |
| call it a "fictitious disease"; some recent research | | | | Alcohol & Tobacco: Various studies have shown a |
| suggests that ADHD does exist. | | | | possible correlation between the use of cigarettes and |
| This condition becomes apparent in some children in | | | | alcohol during pregnancy and risk for ADHD in the |
| the preschool and early school years. It is one of the | | | | offspring of that pregnancy. This could be related to |
| most common behavioral disorders in childhood & its | | | | the fact that nicotine is known to cause lack of |
| prevalence is estimated to be between 5-7 percent & | | | | oxygen - hypoxia, in the uterus. |
| approximately 2 million children in the United States are | | | | The principal characteristics of ADHD are inattention, |
| suspected to have ADHD. About 60% of children | | | | hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms appear |
| diagnosed with ADHD retain the symptoms & as a | | | | early in a child's life. Everyone wants his/her kids to |
| result, over the past decade, ADHD has been | | | | graduate from Harvard. But kids are kids after all & |
| increasingly diagnosed in adults. | | | | many normal children may show these symptoms at |
| Over the last few decades, various theories have | | | | one or the other time. Parents shouldn't just hastily |
| been hypothesized about the causes and effects of | | | | assume that as ADHD & force their kids to pop in |
| ADHD some of which have been highlighted below: | | | | ADHD drugs impulsively! |
| Genetics: ADHD has been often found to run in | | | | So, it is important that the child receive a thorough |
| families & various studies indicate that around 25 | | | | examination and appropriate diagnosis by a |
| percent of the close relatives in the families of ADHD | | | | well-qualified professional. Even if a child has ADHD, he |
| children also have ADHD; so there are likely to be | | | | she can achieve his/her full potential by receiving help, |
| genetic influences. By studying the genetic isolates of | | | | guidance, and understanding from parents, friends, |
| Paisas of Colombia, researchers have been able to | | | | counselors, and the public education system! |