Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: What Every Parent Should Know

" I'm Clark welcome and thanks for joining us for the web cat. Almost everyone has heard about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Or ADHD that's commonly known. And you may be aware that there's a debate as to whether it's a real or an invented to order. But few people understand what that term really me or realized how many children and adults may have ADHD. So does ADHD exist and if so what exactly is -- what are its causes an accent. Tells it diagnosed. Well joining me to discuss these and many other issues about 88 DRU expert in the field. Doctor Patricia Quinn and welcome thank -- developmental pediatrician who's in private practice in Washington DC. And also joining us doctor Peter Jensen professor of child psychiatry. At Columbia university in New York welcome to you have -- the first thing we need to make clear is whether 88 he is a real disease is -- from different."

" But the point is rape -- actually quite accurately and reliably diagnose the condition. We did disorder in many different countries across the the world actually. And and every place we look we find it does exist that children. Do have these symptoms in the syndrome and wanted to occur in children very severely impairing and has -- consequence for many of these children my."

" Sort of causes have been identified that may lead and 88 states I think the primary cause is genetic and that we do is he family histories. Other on the members of the same or similar problems usually several children from one family. They have actually been some recent studies diagnosing certain types of Beijing to finding eighteen -- chromosome. And being able to identify. Problems by that rule there's other ways to go home and other conditions we know chronic low levels of -- fetal alcohol syndrome pre maturity. Obstetrical complications during the pregnancy -- and infectious disease meningitis. Or on encephalitis can lead to hyperactive symptoms or in attentiveness in the children who had these disorders."

" And and just as important as some of the causes a -- is. To discuss some of the things that do not -- 88 -- doctor -- and -- outgrow that when you're awake for one thing it too much sugar is not. Causing ADHD in children now and too much sugar does not 'cause obviously the things that we think I have been under stood -- sometimes stock to be oppose it because they're bad parenting. Bad teachers. To not amount -- a plan and sugar food -- And so there's a lot of minutes and misunderstanding in many times parents. Forums will change those suppose it cause now that's cousin -- greet him sometimes delaying an actually an effective interventions don't really could be helpful to the children. And I just in the boys are more prone 88 dating girls that. We know across all mammalian species you know animals of all kinds that. That males of the species tend to be more active. -- it is more voter anger there's probably have many many reasons that. But there. That normal activities shouldn't be confused with 88 keepers say yeah. Four when you have a highly about it that activity does mean you get more likely to be identified the conditions so. Because the males tend to have more the motor -- motor activity. They get more easily identified probably some surface to the girls I should point out -- went."

" I have a -- yeah -- a lot of good things are finding that with the really understanding that there could be an inattentive type but the disorder -- children or adults are more hypo active more just in attendance I'm trying to stay in the background they actually maybe sign was drawn -- we started seeing the in -- and documents and -- And finding it in boys we -- sitting right Saddam was a little girl who also had in the and that type. And they don't call attention to himself as the boys do so people don't pick it up as rapidly that's why we're not seeing it but -- certainly does -- here they're functioning leading to a lot of self esteem issues and had a lot more problems since early intervention is critical in this as with so many other things and treatment. Early help a child learn to adapt to this situation -- to be able to learn well and function well how can parents and teachers I guess they're very key in and -- ADHD what should be looking for to try and early diagnosed or at least -- a child to be died."

" Now the think that teachers have to be very aware. And they usually are pretty good at this -- of finding that children whose hyperactive symptoms are inattentive or respectable sometimes. Are interfering with their function actually causing them problems and in gaining on getting by now there's -- kernel for example and boy is inattentive awning. He may not get picked up because he's not answered causing problems for immediate problems with the child and he's not doing well she's not doing well on all. Suffering because of peer relationships -- has other symptoms as well there's still a high level of awareness or recognition that. In addition to the hyperactive and them some of these other in attendance last -- as we'll send them. We cannot be on the lookout for is very important. For parents the other thing I would say is that parents and as if they only have one child may not much of -- compare and -- have thirty children's rights and they had a lot of chance. For compare and so. Sometimes. Apparently your mother's you know -- your -- your daughter has yesterday difficulty in May be hard for them do appreciate it and early on because they may not see. They're child in his anxiety that others will ask -- of other ways of kind of panic and it caught in the yard line and I didn't."

" Doctor -- any advice for parents on how to distinguish between hyperactive behavior and overactive behavior at my age appropriate. A very common question for parents usually ask how can I distinguish my child's behavior. And I don't we try to help them out with the word purposeful if a child is playing you may be very active or you may be very active playing with -- toys making a lot of noise. Running around a lot and it's all purposeful behavior they're playing appropriately to tour. I would 88 he was trouble paying attention may have trouble also interacting with the -- and they make pull them apart and take them out of his drawers and on to the floor whatever but they don't play with them for a long period of time and I don't engage with the toys and and that makes a difference. He'll likely the child. Who heads ADHD what's going on extremely frustrating for them they feel on that they are not explored this other kids. They feel they can never do anything right one of the first things when I interview older women and we tell them they have this disorder -- do you mean I'm not affect how they really do feel good. I'm that they can't do things that other people can do easily I had a little three year old boy in my office when they pretty near very cute at least -- seen smiling and I said why are you hearing it because -- And -- why do you think -- badly wants someone -- that you all day long your -- So these children get a lot of self esteem problems. They really can't get along with other children they don't know why they're always messing up why they can't do it -- other kids can do it and leaves a lot of pain not only in the airlines but in the family but very high incidence of divorce and families of children with ADHD. Parent 40% of parents have made a job gains because their child has ADHD. And as a financial burden on the Stanley to have a child -- orders well indeed upon my question if you suspect your child has ADHD. Forty go for help."

" Well he well trained pediatrician should be able to make the diagnosis and -- That's not always the case that the -- you go to as well trained so parents need to kind of be. Educated themselves and on the look out at their concerns. Cannot question an event -- address by whoever they've seen and they would be willing to get a second opinion but repeated creation. I train that are coming practitioners like college -- psychiatrist. Is people who should be able to make it --"

" I like to thank both of you for being here to discuss this than to give our audience. A a start as they learn more about ADHD and thank all of you for joining us and our web audience I'm Lisa Clark."