WHAT IS ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)?

ADHD is a medical problem that affects millions of children. These children have at least one of these problems:  inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.  It seems to be found more frequently in boys than girls (3:1).  Some individuals who are diagnosed as having ADHD as children appear to outgrow it as they get older.  Most successful adults with ADHD have learne to adapt to it.  The Total Focus Program will teach your child how to adapt to the disorder.  In some cases, the diagnosis may not even be made until the person is a adolescent or an adult.  Individuals with ADHD are usually very bright, creative, sensitive people.  May grow up to become very successful later in life.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ADHD?

INATTENTION:

• often fails to finish what he starts
• doesn't seem to listen
• has difficulty concentrating or paying attention
• easily distracted
• doesn't stick with a play activity

IMPULSIVITY:

• often acts without thinking and later feels sorry
• shifts excessively from one activity to another
• has difficulty organizing work
• needs a lot of supervision
• speaks out loud in class
• doesn't wait to take turns in games or groups

HYPERACTIVITY:

• runs about or climbs on things excessively
• can't sit still and is fidgety
• has difficulty staying in his seat and bothers classmates
• excessive activity during sleep
• always "on the go" and acts as if "driven"

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ADHD?

Current research supports the theory that ADHD may be either inherited due to yet unknown genetic factors or that it may be acquired due to environmental factors such as complications of pregnancy, labor or delivery, as well as lead poisoning or head injury.  True ADHD is the result of a dysfunction of the brain.  A person may have ADHD symptoms, but from another cause such as an emotional disturbance (anxiety or depression) or a medical problem such as allergies, thyroid disorder, lead poisoning, or the side effects of a medication.

The brain functioning of individuals diagnosed with ADHD is significantly different from normal individuals.  The areas of the brain where the deficits in brain activity are found to occur are known to be associated with such functions as attention, concentration, planning ahead, and impluse control.  Brain function in ADHD individuals has shown a marked improvement when the subjects are on their medication.  It is important to note that research related to other brain disorders has shown that congnitive behavioral therapy has been shown to not only improve the psychological symptoms but to improve brain functioning as well.  It is quite possible that this may be true for ADHD as well.  This would explain why some children are able to show significant improvement with the various psychological methods used in Total Focus.