Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that has been known for many years and has been extensively researched. The prevalence of ADHD is too great to be underestimated. And there are serious prejudices and misconceptions about ADHD in our society.
There is an information pollution that harms the future of these children and prevents them from reaching treatment, especially that this disorder is a made-up diagnosis for naughty, unruly children with low academic success.
ADHD is a condition that causes the person to face problems such as attention deficit, impulsivity and mobility. There are serious studies on the causes of ADHD, in which physiological, genetic, biochemical, brain imaging and functionality are evaluated.
Studies on imaging and functions of the forebrain and related brain regions, where executive functions are managed, are intense. And in these studies, it is observed that there are dimensional changes, problems with blood supply and functions in these areas.
Family history of ADHD or other psychiatric problems is also considered among the causes. Yes, although it cannot be attributed to a single cause, ADHD can be seen in children due to many factors and if not intervened, it creates serious problems in social, psychological and academic fields.
In ADHD, the child can be seen as calm and heavy-blooded in the type of attention deficit. And this situation may not be considered as ADHD in the family and school environment.
However, ADHD is the general name of the diagnosis. In the type with only attention deficit, the child may experience forgetfulness, slowness, unwillingness to take responsibility, disorganization, and retardation in the development of literacy in the academic process.
On the other hand, in the impulsivity and hyperactivity prominent type, situations that cause problems in social and family harmony such as excessive activity, frequent accidents, clumsiness, difficulties in following the rules, anger and vicious behaviors, difficulty in waiting their turn, and talking a lot are more prominent. For this reason, in ADHD, the active and impulsive type are noticed faster and the search for treatment develops faster.
In diagnosing ADHD, it is important to take a good history. The pregnancy period of the mother should be questioned well. The birth process and how many kilograms he was born, whether he was born on time or not is important.
After birth, the child’s breastfeeding, motor development processes, speaking, sleep and eating habits are also important. Low birth weight, twin pregnancies and premature births are considered risk factors for ADHD.
During the development process, the child’s disease history should be evaluated well. Frequent infections, cardiac problems, thyroid hormone functions, etc. as. In addition, information about family medical history should be obtained.
Parents should also be questioned whether there are psychiatric or medical problems, if there is a sibling, his/her development and medical history, and any special conditions in close relatives should also be questioned. If there are problems in the development process, medical evaluations should be done.
The fine and gross motor development of the child, conceptual and academic development according to his age should be well evaluated, and neurological evaluation should be requested in cases where it is perceived as a neurological problem.
After the general evaluation processes, various ADHD screening scales are evaluated by families and educators to provide information. Because it is very important in the diagnosis in the observations in the school and activity areas, where he stays for a certain time in the home and in limited environments.
Yes, although we still do not have a tool that we can say we diagnose with the following test, various attention performance tests, family and teacher evaluation scales are very informative.
The MOXO d-CPT test, which has been used in international standards recently, gives us very concrete information in terms of ADHD.
This test provides very helpful data such as not only attention, but also the learning process of the child, how much it is affected by distractions, whether there are anxiety states that affect attention and learning. And after a detailed evaluation, it is evaluated that the child has ADHD symptoms and how their severity affects academic and social development.
When diagnosing ADHD, families and if the child is in the education system, educators should be informed about this issue. Because in the treatment of ADHD, family, educators at school and physicians should cooperate. If the child is mildly affected by ADHD symptoms academically, psychologically and socially, then it is appropriate to give behavioral support first.
The way the child works, what to do in the classroom, family attitudes at home, what the child will do should be determined and monitored.
Unfortunately, the false beliefs known to families, educators, pharmacists and the general public about drug treatment in ADHD, unfortunately, harm these children. Generally, initiation of treatment and discontinuation within 1 year are common due to these effects. And the rate of problems due to delay in treatment increasing and becoming more unsolvable is also high.
Therefore, family and child should be well informed at every stage of treatment. The family should be able to reach the treating physician easily, especially in case of problems or concerns about drug use. Let’s not forget that ADHD is a condition with treatment, early diagnosis and treatment approaches will eliminate the problems that may develop in the future.
