In a previous blog post, I focused on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as this is a common condition amongst our students. I am now going to focus on Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I will be explaining what it is, how it manifests and how we can help young people who have it.
People with ADHD are generally seen as falling into one of three groups - those who are predominantly inattentive, those who are predominantly hyperactive-impulsive and those who show a combination of both. Symptoms differ between the groups, with those who are inattentive often having a short attention span and a wandering mind, being forgetful and being unable to stick to tasks which the person finds tedious and time-consuming. Those who are in the hyperactive-impulsive group will find it hard to sit still, may be unable to stop fidgeting, may find it difficult to wait their turn and could also talk excessively. Worryingly, this group may also be prone to risky behaviours due to their lack of impulse control. People with ADHD may also have additional issues, such as sleep and anxiety disorders.
There are many theories about the causes of ADHD, with some scientists believing that the condition may be linked to a lack of dopamine in the brain or a structural difference in the brain with the ADHD brain having a lower level of grey matter, as grey matter is the area of the brain dealing with decision making and self control.
One worrying aspect of ADHD is the fact that boys are diagnosed in far higher numbers, whereas the number of adult men and women with the condition is comparable. Some feel that this is because girls are more likely to display symptoms such as inattentiveness or introversion rather than the overtly disruptive behaviour which is more frequently found among boys with ADHD.
If your child has ADHD, there are several lifestyle changes which may help. These include keeping to a regular sleeping schedule, limiting screen time as this can be over-stimulating, daily exercise, a healthy diet and regular time being spent outdoors. Some people also suggest that yoga and mindfulness may help, and talking therapies may also be useful.
If these changes don’t help, there are medical treatments which may be effective, and there are currently five drugs which are licensed for treatment of ADHD in the UK. Doctors tend to start by prescribing drugs in very small doses to see how the child reacts, and having five available drugs means that there are other options if the first drug doesn’t work. For more information on these, you can visit the following site: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/treatment/
If you would like further information or support if your child has ADHD, I recommend the following sources:
https://adhdfoundation.org.uk/
https://adhduk.co.uk/
https://www.ukadhd.com/support-groups.htm