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