ADHD - SHOULD WE BE MEDICATING CHILDREN - ESSAY

Essay by ellen35High School, 11th gradeA+, September 2012

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is classified as a psychological disruptive behaviour disorder, frequently prominent in young children, which according to 'The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2011)' currently affects 3-5% of all American children.

The resulting behavioural complications associated with ADHD can impinge heavily on a child's ability to uphold academic, social, emotional, and psychological aspects in life, as it interferes with their capability to implement age-appropriate procedures, both cognitive and behavioural (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 2010).

Such behaviours indicating ones possession of ADHD are divided into two types, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and inattention. Thus there are three sub-types of the disorder, which correspond to the symptomatic behaviours a child may demonstrate. The tree sub-types are: predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominately inattentive, and combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive. The majority of children diagnosed with ADHD are diagnosed with the combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive sub-type (National Institute of Mental Health, 2011).

Symptoms or key behavioural indicators of ADHD in young children commonly fall within the categories mentioned above, inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This can include a combination of traits consisting of; forgetfulness, distractibility, fidgeting, restlessness, impatience, difficulty sustaining attention in work, play, or conversation, or difficulty following instructions and completing tasks (Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc, 2011). In order to be diagnosed with ADHD a child must experience six or more of these traits to a degree that is more severe than that experienced by most other children their age.

As it is normal for nearly all young children to experience small amounts of these kinds of behaviours, ADHD can commonly be misdiagnosed.

At this point in time, the exact cause of ADHD in young children is still unknown, whilst there are many theories and presumptions indicating aspects of genetic, environmental, and physical factors to cause the onset of the disorder, no...