| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is | | | | describe specific genetic aspects of ADHD. |
| characterized by behavioral and learning disorders | | | | Brain Damage: While the majority of ADHD is |
| & particularly by a persistent pattern of | | | | believed to be genetic in nature, around one-fifth of |
| inattention or hyperactivity, as well as forgetfulness, | | | | all ADHD cases were considered to be acquired after |
| poor impulse control or impulsivity, and distractibility. It | | | | conception due to brain injury caused by either toxins |
| is a condition in which it is hard for children to control | | | | or physical trauma prenatally or postnatally. Some |
| their behavior and/or pay attention & was first | | | | children who have suffered accidents leading to brain |
| described by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman in the year 1845. | | | | injury may show some signs of behavior similar to |
| While a section of scientific society is contentious | | | | that of ADHD. |
| about its existence & prefers to call it a | | | | Alcohol & Tobacco: Various studies have shown |
| "fictitious disease"; some recent research suggests | | | | a possible correlation between the use of cigarettes |
| that ADHD does exist. | | | | and alcohol during pregnancy and risk for ADHD in the |
| This condition becomes apparent in some children in | | | | offspring of that pregnancy. This could be related to |
| the preschool and early school years. It is one of the | | | | the fact that nicotine is known to cause lack of |
| most common behavioral disorders in childhood | | | | oxygen - hypoxia, in the uterus. |
| & its prevalence is estimated to be between 5-7 | | | | The principal characteristics of ADHD are inattention, |
| percent & approximately 2 million children in the | | | | hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms |
| United States are suspected to have ADHD. About | | | | appear early in a child's life. Everyone wants his/her |
| 60% of children diagnosed with ADHD retain the | | | | kids to graduate from Harvard. But kids are kids |
| symptoms & as a result, over the past decade, | | | | after all & many normal children may show |
| ADHD has been increasingly diagnosed in adults. | | | | these symptoms at one or the other time. Parents |
| Over the last few decades, various theories have | | | | shouldn't just hastily assume that as ADHD & |
| been hypothesized about the causes and effects of | | | | force their kids to pop in ADHD drugs impulsively! |
| ADHD some of which have been highlighted below: | | | | So, it is important that the child receive a thorough |
| Genetics: ADHD has been often found to run in | | | | examination and appropriate diagnosis by a |
| families & various studies indicate that around 25 | | | | well-qualified professional. Even if a child has ADHD, |
| percent of the close relatives in the families of ADHD | | | | he/she can achieve his/her full potential by receiving |
| children also have ADHD; so there are likely to be | | | | help, guidance, and understanding from parents, |
| genetic influences. By studying the genetic isolates of | | | | friends, counselors, and the public education system! |
| Paisas of Colombia, researchers have been able to | | | | |