In a study conducted on several thousand children between the ages of 2 and 5, over 20% of children were diagnosed with disorders, and by their symptoms, half of them were considered to be significantly impaired (Lavigne). There are similar levels of incidence and impairment existence in between the ages of 9 and 17-year-old children, according to Satcher.
According to other studies, only 40% of children with psychological disorders are said to receive professional attention, and only half of this group is seen by qualified mental health professionals. In contrast, 74% of children with physical handicaps are said to receive professional treatment according to the U.S. Office of Behaviour Technology. Failure to treat childhood behaviour disorders not only results in needless distress for these children and their families, but the impact of not treating these disorders early can result in them continuing into adulthood. According to a study in New Zealand, 4 in 5 adults diagnosed with such disorders have had histories of issues during childhood and adolescent that also met DSM criteria (Newman).
Although many childhood disorders are the subject of current research, two of them receiving particular attention are Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism. ADHD is of interest due to it being the most frequently diagnosed childhood disorder. On the other hand, Autism is being scrutinised due to it being more common and being one of the most baffling disorders.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
In ADHD, problems may take the form of inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, or a combination of the two. According to the ratings of teachers and parents, 7 to 10% of American children are said to meet the DSM criteria for ADHD, making it the most common childhood disorder. The disorder is more common in boys; four times the frequency in girls. Boys are more likely to exhibit more aggressive and impulsive behaviours, while girls are more likely to be primarily inattentive. Some professionals believe that ADHD diagnosis is applied too liberally, as normal children may also exhibit the behaviours in question, the fear being that this may cause some children to be inappropriately labelled and medicated.Although it may be tempting to assume that children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder routinely outgrow the disorder, follow-up studies of individuals diagnosed with the disorder suggest that 50 to 80% of the problems persist in adolescence; and for 30%, into adulthood. Adults with ADHD tend to have more occupational, familial, emotional, and interpersonal issues.
Despite many years of research, the precise causes of ADHD are yet to be found. There is a probability of genetic factors being involved, as concordance rates of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder are higher in identical twins than in fraternal twins. According to adoption studies done on ADHD children, the biological parents of these children are more likely to have ADHD than the adoptive parents. Experts have long suspected a biological basis to be the cause of ADHD, but studies of the brain's electrical activity, as well as imaging studies of brain structure and neurotransmitters, have failed to reveal any consistent differences between individuals with ADHD and other groups. This could be due to the fact that Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a multifaceted disorder with several subcategories of biological parents.
Environmental Factors
Several environmental factors that contribute to ADHD include inconsistent parenting, alcohol and drug abuse during pregnancy, exposure to environmental toxins such as lead at a young age, brain injuries. Individuals with ADHD have combinations of these symptoms as well; such as, overlooking or missing details, making careless mistakes in school or work (or any other activity), having trouble sustaining attention in tasks (conversations, lectures or reading), not seem to be paying attention when spoken to, failure in following through on instructions or duties, or quickly losing focus on tasks one started.
Having problems in organising tasks, avoid or dislike tasks that need sustained mental effort (such as homework, preparing reports, completing forms, or reviewing lengthy papers), losing necessities for activities and tasks, becoming distracted easily by unrelated thoughts and stimuli, forgetfulness in daily activities are also more symptoms.
Signs of Hyperactivity
Fidgeting or squirming while seated, getting up and moving around in situations not expected to do so (such as in a classroom or office), running or climbing in situations that are inappropriate, often feeling restless, being unable to engage in play or hobbies quietly, being constantly on-the-go, acting as if driven by a motor, talking nonstop, blurting out answers before questions are asked, finishing others' sentences, speaking without waiting for their turn in a conversation, and interrupting others are some signs of hyperactivity. Having these symptoms may not necessarily mean the individual has ADHD as depression, anxiety, and certain learning disabilities can have similar symptoms as well. The best way to diagnose your child's condition is to talk to a professional.
Non-stimulants can be used, too, if stimulants either cause too many side-effects or are ineffective. Antidepressants are used sometimes to treat adults, although not approved by the FDA, especially for the treatment of ADHD. Different kinds of therapy have been attempted on ADHD individuals with no effect, but including therapy with other treatment may be beneficial for patients. Children with ADHD need guidance from their parents and teachers to reach their full potential in life. A professional could help parents in dealing with issues of ADHD, as well as learning how to communicate with their children.
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