Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood that often lasts into adulthood. Individuals with ADHD may have trouble with controlling impulsive behavior and may act without thinking of the consequences. They may be overly active, restless, have trouble with paying attention, focusing, time management, multitasking, difficulty at work, school, home, etc. Children with ADHD may talk too much, forget, or lose things, daydream too much, fidget or squirm, take unnecessary risks, make careless mistakes, and have temper issues. 

ADHD presents itself in three different ways in an individual.

• Predominantly inattentive presentation: Hard to organize, pay attention, follow instructions or conversation and/or finish tasks. 
• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation: the person in this condition talks a lot, fidgets, hard to stay still, feels restless, interrupt others a lot. Children with this condition jump, run or climb constantly. 
• Combined presentation: Symptoms of the above types are presented in the individual.

The risk factors of ADHD are unknown but recent studies shows that ADHD is linked with genetic factors. Some other possible causes include brain injuries, drug, alcohol, and tobacco use during pregnancy, exposure to toxic environment during pregnancy, low birth weight, and premature delivery. 

ADHD can be treated with behavior therapy and/or medication depending upon different characteristics of the individual. It can be managed by healthy eating habits, physical activity, limited screen time and getting proper/required sleep. For further details check: https://bit.ly/42jUPyo and https://bit.ly/3noj4wK 

Under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) the ADHD is considered a disability. The individuals experiencing ADHD are illegible for accommodations at work and schools and may receive assistance in many ways. https://bit.ly/42eWsgQ 

In the year of 2011, 8.9% of the Arizona children were diagnosed with ADHD and 5.6% of them were seeking treatments. https://bit.ly/3VoGIFK . According to a report by Arizona Behavioral Health Workforce 2020, 40% of Arizona residents live in areas with no or shortage of professional and facilities that provide mental and behavioral health services and many Arizonans are unable to get treatments due to lack of awareness and resources available. https://bit.ly/42cKvJb 

 Parent Support Arizona provides information and many resources related to different disabilities including ADHD at: https://www.parentsupportarizona.com/resources 

Arizona Behavioral Consulting provides resources related to ADHD, autism, and other developmental delays. For details check: https://bit.ly/3p4VwNE 

 National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) offers information and resources for the individuals experiencing ADHD and their families. https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/ADHD/Support