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The condition is characterised by a consistent pattern of developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. These characteristics often interfere with functions or development, and commonly present as difficulty sitting still, paying attention, or controlling impulsive behaviour. For some, ADHD is pervasive and persistent to the point of interfering with everyday life in home, academic, social, and work environments.
Even if not diagnosed in childhood, ADHD symptoms will have been present from this period.
ADHD may be considered mild, moderate, or severe depending on the number of symptoms and the extent of functional, social, or occupational impairment. Diagnosis will fall into one of three presentations — defining it for each person is a crucial step in the diagnosis process, and helps form an appropriate treatment plan.
References
(2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Willcutt, E. G. (2012). The Prevalence of DSM-IV Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analytic Review. Neurotherapeutics, 9(3), 490–499. http://doi.org/10.1007/s13311-012-0135-8
Inattention manifests behaviourally as wandering off task, lacking persistence, having difficulty sustaining focus, or being disorganised. In recognising this subtype, thesecharacteristics are not due to defiance or lack of comprehension.
Hyperactivity refers to excessive motor activity at an inappropriate time, such as excessive fidgeting, tapping, or talkativeness. Impulsivity refers to hasty actions that occur in the moment without forethought, and have high potential for harm to the individual. Impulsiveness may also reflect a desire for immediate rewards or an inability to delay gratification. Impulsive behaviours may again manifest in social intrusiveness such as interrupting others or making decisions without adequate consideration of the consequences.
Individuals with this subtype experience PI and HI symptoms.
“Neurodevelopmental Disorder” is an umbrella-term for conditions that affect the growth or development of the brain or central nervous system. A condition like this usually manifests early in a child’s development before the child enters primary school. The disorder is characterised by developmental deficits that produce impairments of personal, social, academic and/ or occupational functioning.
The short answer is, “no”. However, ADHD includes impairment in one or more processes related to perceiving, thinking, remembering, or learning, so it may be more useful to view ADHD as a learning disorder. In doing so, it is important to acknowledge that it differs from currently recognised reading or non-verbal learning disorders.
No, there is more than one presentation of ADHD. Those diagnosed with Predominantly Inattentive Presentation have no symptoms of hyperactivity.
Research shows that ADHD tends to run in families, so there are likely to be genetic influences. Children who have ADHD usually have at least one close relative who has ADHD. Even more convincing of a possible genetic link is that when one twin of an identical twin pair has the disorder, the other is likely to have it too.
ADHD symptoms evolve over time (for example, hyperactivity and fidgeting commonly decrease with age), but the condition is rarely outgrown. In fact, many people are not diagnosed until adulthood. However, in many cases, with support, treatment, and management strategies, ADHD can be effectively navigated to the point where the condition appears to be outgrown.
There is no simple “test” for ADHD. The diagnosis of ADHD is a clinical diagnosis made using well-tested diagnostic interview methods. Diagnosis is based on history, the description of symptoms, observable behaviours in at least two separate settings (school, work, and home), and the exclusion of other conditions that may resemble ADHD.
Diagnosis should include input from parents, teachers, and others who are interacting with the child or adult. The process will also consider conditions which can accompany ADHD, and the additional impacts this will have on the person. For example, depression, anxiety, trauma, learning difficulties, developmental status, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder.
While it is common for children to display hyperactive tendencies following the consumption of high volumes of sugar, this is often fleeting, and different to ADHD. The current weight of evidence indicates that ADHD is not caused by too much sugar or food colourings in the diet.
Although a small body of research suggests some children may benefit from nutritional interventions, delaying the implementation of well-established, effective interventions to engage in unproven methods is likely to be harmful for children.
There are no well-established nutritional interventions proven to be effective for assisting the majority of children with ADHD, especially in the long-term. In other words, it is thought that diet does not play a role in the cause or management of ADHD.
There is no doubt that some foods affect behaviour, but food allergens or intolerances are not ADHD. ADHD and food chemical intolerance may co-exist as two separate conditions, just as ADHD and Asthma may co-exist, and ADHD symptoms may be worsened by the other condition and vice versa.
A child with symptoms of inattention may, on a regular basis:
A child with six or more of these symptoms of inattention for at least six months (to a degree that interferes with their everyday life and is inconsistent with the usual developmental level of a child their age) may be diagnosed with the inattention aspect of ADHD.
Hyperactivity-impulsivity criteria for diagnosing ADHD
A child with symptoms of impulsivity may often:
A child with six or more of these symptoms for at least six months (to a degree that interferes with their everyday life and is inconsistent with the usual developmental level of a child their age) may be diagnosed with the hyperactivity-impulsivity aspect of ADHD.
Other criteria for diagnosing ADHD may include:
Information from https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
No. The prescribing of stimulant medicines is restricted to medical practitioners who are:
Medical practitioners approved to prescribe stimulant medication to treat ADHD include:
With a shortage of ADHD treating specialists across WA, once you have booked your assessment with us, we recommend booking visiting your GP for a referral to an approved medical practitioner for 6-8 weeks after your assessment date. This allows time for you to receive your report and will help reduce a wait time to see a specialist once you receive the results of your neuropsychological assessment, should your assessment indicate ADHD. Be sure to research and find an available specialist before visiting your GP for the referral.
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ADHD WA was there for me when my first child was diagnosed. The Information Line is a way of giving out information to help others navigate their way through the difficulties of living with ADHD, whether they are children or adults.
