Overview

Attention Deficit Disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder. That is, as children mature and develop, the brain is also maturing and developing. As this developmental process occurs, the symptoms of an Attention Deficit Disorder such as impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity change over time. In severe forms of Attention Deficit Disorder ... this neurodevelopmental disorder occurs in a continuum from mild to severe.(this neurodevelopmental disorder occurs in a continuum from mild to severe), a child may be diagnosed as early as ages four or five years. The severe symptoms of an Attention Deficit Disorder result in significant behavioral problems at home and typically result in children being removed or under duress of removal from preschool placement. Moderate ranges of symptomology in Attention Deficit Disorder are more typically diagnosed in ages 5 to 7 years. As the child encounters the academic environment which requires increased attention and better management of impulsivity and hyperactivity, children with moderate levels of symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder begin to encounter problems which then can generalize more significantly to the home environment. In more mild form, this diagnosis (particularly with very bright children) may not be made until older childhood years. R... the evaluation guards against over-diagnosis of ADD.egardless, children’s need for treatment fluctuates and varies across both the continuum of severity level and across the developmental continuum of an individual child. This developmental model calls for serial evaluations to make informed and accurate choices regarding treatment planning adjustments and changes. The brain is dynamically changing throughout development. A comprehensive evaluation provides the understanding necessary to determine where, on this continuum, a child falls. This is critical because treatment decisions and prognosis hinge upon accurate, fully detailed diagnosis. Also, because many other problems can look like Attention Deficit Disorder, the evaluation guards against over diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder.

Treatment

In the developmental treatment model, parents are recognized as the most potent force in a child’s life. Consequently, parents are required to be active participants in a developmental model of treatment. There are multiple variations of medical and psychological treatment depending upon developmental stages and the severity continuum. Children with moderate to severe forms of Attention Deficit Disorder often require medication, such as a cerebral stimulant, in order to moderate the symptoms and preserve a child’s educational progress. This medication can enable a child to continue to learn at home or in the educational setting as symptoms of impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity (which can significantly undermine a child’s learning) are moderated. Children who are involved in an active dynamic treatment environment are much more likely to develop compensatory skills so that medication can be reduced earlier in the treatment process. Importantly, however, only about 80% of children fall into a responder group with a cerebral stimulant. Of that 80% of children in the responder group, a child may become completely asymptomatic after medication therapy begins or they may continue to experience symptoms, but of a more moderate nature. Regardless, treatment outcome studies clearly demonstrate the combination of parental treatment, behavioral intervention with the child, and medication result in the best outcome for children with moderate to severe forms of an Attention Deficit Disorder.

In cases where children are experiencing a mild form of an Attention Deficit Disorder, medication may not be required. In many cases the developmental treatment model allows for significant improvement in a child’s coping strategies and adjustments within the family system to help promote improved behavior management of the child. This treatment typically involves working with the psychologist to improve the child’s environmental management, awareness of deficits and strengths, as well as improving parenting styles and parenting interventions. With mild forms of an attention deficit disorder, psychological treatment is often sufficient to suspend any interference with the child’s learning or educational progress, and promote healthy interactions in the family system.

development of children often spontaneously relieves symptoms of an Attention Deficit Disorder.As noted earlier, the development of children often spontaneously relieves symptoms of an Attention Deficit Disorder sufficiently that treatment intervention requires adjustment and changes. Approximately 80% of children diagnosed with an Attention Deficit Disorder mature or develop through this disorder by ages 12 to 14 or 16 to 18. These ages correspond to milestones in brain development which enable a child to slow or stop both medical and psychological treatment related to their Attention Deficit Disorder. In fact, children are often significantly encouraged when they understand an Attention Deficit Disorder as a developmental disorder. Specifically, children can feel great relief that their brain development has matured and an Attention Deficit Disorder is no longer a condition they are experiencing. Obviously, this developmental progression where children no longer meet criteria of an Attention Deficit Disorder occurs at higher rates for mild/moderate versus moderate/severe cases of an Attention Deficit Disorder. In fact, in severe forms of an Attention Deficit Disorder significant symptomology can persist into adulthood. In contrast to today’s over diagnosis of an Attention Deficit Disorder the adult population is significantly under diagnosed.

Causes

Regarding the causes of an Attention Deficit Disorder, in a preponderance of cases a significant genetic pattern can be identified. A specific genetic marker or series of markers identified by genetic testing is not yet available. A genetic pattern can be identified through a comprehensive evaluation which includes a clinical interview, family history, and behavior patterns. The family history link is by far the most common cause of an Attention Deficit Disorder and is consistent with the classic neurodevelopmental pattern where children ultimately develop through the deficit pattern. Other causes of an Attention Deficit Disorder include head injury, significant medical treatment requiring long-term medications (such as some forms of cancer), and other environmental toxic exposures.