Recognizing ADHD in Kennett children

This topic has reemerged in recent weeks due to a new study showing that children who are younger than their classmates are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD. While the implications for this new finding are being examined and will likely be debated in the future, there are many facets to ADHD to consider this September during ADHD Awareness Month.

As students in Dunklin County's 18 public schools settle into a new school year, doctors and educators are looking to shed more light on this often frustrating condition. Although there are many reasons why students may have troubles such as completing work, staying focused, dropping grades or trips to the principal's office, some may be related to medical problems such as ADHD. ADHD is usually recognized in early childhood, before age 7. Children with ADHD will often show signs of:

* Hyperactivity, such as excessive fidgeting, restlessness, and difficulty remaining seated;

* Impulsivity, such as interruptions, difficulty waiting turns, and blurting out answers; and

* Inattention, such as forgetfulness, distractions, and poor concentration. Children with ADHD can sit quietly and work but not pay attention to what they're doing.

In addition to struggling in school, children with ADHD are more likely to develop relationship problems, sustain major injuries, and be hospitalized. What's more, the symptoms of ADHD can continue into adulthood in up to 50% of cases. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, ADHD is believed to be caused by abnormal levels of brain chemicals, which may be inherited from parents. It's important to note that current research shows that ADHD is not caused by consuming too much sugar, watching too much television, parenting, or social factors such as poverty.

But, getting diagnosed with ADHD is not a quick or easy process. It requires cooperation between parents, teachers, and doctors. Many problems such as learning disabilities, depression, or trouble seeing, can mimic ADHD. Unless these other possibilities are considered and weighed, children may be incorrectly diagnosed with ADHD and begin unnecessary, and potentially harmful, treatment. Factors such as race, age, and insurance status can also influence the likelihood of diagnosis.

"We are really supposed to step back and take a big picture look at all of the factors that could contribute to a possible misdiagnosis [of ADHD]," says Dr. Tracy Stroud, a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician at the University of Missouri's Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. "How harmful is it to keep a child on medications for years because of a misdiagnosis of ADHD? Obviously, it's not optimal. These medications are used fairly frequently are fairly safe. But they can possibly stunt growth and they can alter some of the brain chemistry in ways that have not been studied."

In 2003 in Missouri, nearly 8 percent of children between ages 4-17 were diagnosed with ADHD, which matched the national average. To put this in perspective, it would be the equivalent of 493 children in Dunklin County diagnosed with ADHD. Broken down by gender, boys are about 3 times more likely than girls to have ADHD.

Once ADHD is identified and diagnosed, treatment involves medicines, behavioral counseling, and school environment adjustments. Medicines, such as Ritalin, Adderall, Strattera, and Vyvanse, often work well to help improve behaviors. However, these medicines can have side effects such as nausea, vomiting, weight loss, or even heart attack and stroke in rare cases. Parents should also be wary of abuse of these medicines, which are strictly regulated by the federal government.

If you concerned about symptoms of ADHD in your child that may be affecting his or her school performance, Health Literacy Missouri and the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest several steps you can take:

* Be in contact with your child's teachers and counselors, as they can give insight into specific behaviors at school. You may also be able to provide teachers with information about your child's behavior at home.

* Talk to your child's primary care doctor about ADHD, what it means to be diagnosed, and how it is treated. It is helpful to bring school records to these appointments. More than one visit is often needed before a diagnosis can be made.

* Start a behavior journal for your child to determine if his or her behavior is related to times or events. This information can be helpful in making a diagnosis and can compare behaviors at home and at school.

* If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, learn about the treatment options, their side effects, and success rates. Learn about the resources which are available for Dunklin County at http://ptimpact.org.

For more information about ADHD, go to http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/facts.htm.... To learn more about ADHD resources in Missouri, visit Missouri Parents ACT (MPACT) at http://ptimpact.org or contact the Missouri Developmental Disability Resource Center at (800) 444-0821 or http://www.moddrc.org. (HLM News Service)