ADHD is the commonly used term to describe combined neurological symptoms which makes sufferers impulsive, hyperactive and inattentive (among other symptoms). Affecting a sizeable proportion of school age children, the majority of who will take their symptoms into adulthood. ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and the outward appearance of the condition, especially when hyperactivity is present, is of a child out of control.

ADHD (and ADD children - who don't suffer hyperactivity) underachieve educationally, have extremely poor social skills and have an enormous impact on their family's life. Not only because of their symptoms, but because of the tremendous fight parents have with various agencies who they come into contact with in their attempts to get appropriate help for their children, such as doctors, health visitors, pediatricians, clinical and educational psychologists, psychiatrists, teachers, social workers, welfare officers, the police and so on.

The consequences of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can be dire. Symptoms show up in infancy - sometimes from birth - and parents can spend many years consulting numerous health, education, and social working professionals in their attempt to get help for their children. The stress of this, combined with living with an ADHD child in many cases blows a family apart before appropriate screening and treatment is obtained.

ADHD children and young people do not learn from experience. Sometimes with learning difficulties, although usually average to above average intelligence, they are completely unaware of the impact they have on their surroundings.

Always over-the-top in their reactions, they are bossy, oppositional and prone to extreme temper outbursts. The social/educational underachievement and long-term negative reactions they receive from others leads to aggression, anti-social behavior and extremely low self- esteem. On the other hand, with appropriate medical and educational accommodations and a good support network, these children can do extremely well in life. The earlier these systems are put into place, the better the chance of a good outcome.

Parenting an ADHD child can be difficult, as they do not respond well to normal rules and instructions, have poor planning and organizational skills and forget things very easily, making the same mistakes time after time - even after repeated correction. The outward appearance is of a child who lacks discipline, when in fact the opposite is true. These children are disciplined more than 'normal' children because they challenge more rules and overstep more boundaries.

ADHD is real. Very real. It's consequences are profound. Not only for sufferers, but for their families too. The condition is by no means rare, but at the present time because of a lack of understanding and awareness, getting help can often turn out to be a lottery with desperate families slipping through the net year in, year out.

criteria for diagnosing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

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