Definition
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects 3-5 percent of all American children.
According to the National Resource Center on ADHD, about 7%, or 705,000, of African American children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These numbers come from a 2007 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, these numbers may not accurately reflect the numbers of African American children who have ADHD.
In addition, a 2005 study published in The Journal of the National Medical Association shows that many African American parents were unfamiliar with ADHD. Although the study indicated that 69 percent of African American parents have heard of ADHD, only 36 percent of African American parents actually knew some information about ADHD.
Alternative Names
ADD
Causes
Research has demonstrated that ADHD has a very strong neurobiological basis. Although precise causes have not yet been identified, there is little question that heredity makes the largest contribution to the expression of the disorder in the population.
In instances where heredity does not seem to be a factor, difficulties during pregnancy, prenatal exposure to alcohol and tobacco, premature delivery, significantly low birth weight, excessively high body lead levels, and postnatal injury to the prefrontal regions of the brain have all been found to contribute to the risk for ADHD to varying degrees.
Symptoms
There are three primary subtypes of ADHD, each associated with different symptoms:
ADHD (Primarily Inattentive Type):
- Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
- Has difficulty sustaining attention
- Does not appear to listen
- Struggles to follow through on instructions
- Has difficulty with organization
- Avoids or dislikes tasks requiring sustained mental effort
- Is easily distracted
- Is forgetful in daily activities
ADHD (Primarily Hyperactive/Impulsive Type):
- Fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in chair
- Has difficulty remaining seated
- Runs around or climbs excessively
- Has difficulty engaging in activities quietly
- Acts as if driven by a motor
- Talks excessively
- Blurts out answers before questions have been completed
- Has difficulty waiting or taking turns
- Interrupts or intrudes upon others
ADHD (Combined Type):
- Meets both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive criteria
Exams and Tests
As there is no single test to diagnose ADHD, determining whether a child has the disorder takes many steps. A comprehensive evaluation is necessary to establish the diagnosis, rule out other causes, and determine the presence or absence of coexisting conditions. Such an evaluation requires time and effort. It should include a clinical assessment of the child’s school, social, and emotional functioning, as well as his or her developmental level. A careful history should be taken from parents, teachers, and the child when appropriate.
Teens with ADHD present a special challenge, as the academic and organizational demands upon them increase. In addition, they face