DR FAITH B YISRAEL
Imani.Consulting.Tobago@gmail.com
'De pickney bad!' a comment we frequently hear from parents, teacher, and even other children, to describe a child who may have behavioural challenges. What we may not understand, is that the child may not be 'bad' but may have undiagnosed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
What is ADHD?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, 'Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children. It also affects many adults. ADHD is diagnosed as one of three types: inattentive type, hyperactive/impulsive type, or combined type. A diagnosis is based on the symptoms that have occurred over the past six months.
Inattentive type - six (five for people over 17 years) of the following symptoms occur frequently:
• Doesn't pay close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in school or job tasks.
• Has problems staying focused on tasks or activities, such as during lectures, conversations, or long reading.
• Does not seem to listen when spoken to (seems to be elsewhere).
• Does not follow through on instructions and doesn't complete school work, chores, or job duties (may start tasks but quickly loses focus).
• Has problems organising tasks and work (does not manage time well; has messy, disorganised work; misses deadlines).
• Avoids or dislikes tasks that require sustained mental effort, such as preparing reports and completing forms.
• Often loses things needed for tasks or daily life, such as school papers, books, keys, wallet, cell phone and eyeglasses.
• Is easily distracted.
• Forgets daily tasks, such as doing chores and running errands. Older teens and adults may forget to return phone calls, pay bills, and keep appointments.
Hyperactive/impulsive type - six (five for people over 17 years) of the following symptoms occur frequently:
• Fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat.
• Not able to stay seated (in classroom, workplace).
• Runs about or climbs where it is inappropriate.
• Unable to play or do leisure activities quietly.
• Always 'on the go,' as if driven by a motor.
• Talks too much.
• Blurts out an answer before a question has been finished (for instance may finish people's sentences, can't wait to speak in conversations).
• Has difficulty waiting his or her turn, such as while waiting in line.
• Interrupts or intrudes on others (for instance, cuts into conversations, games, or activities, or starts using other people's things without permission). Older teens and adults may take over what others are doing.'
October is ADHD Awareness month. This year the theme is Reframing ADHD, Discovering New Perspectives. The aim of the programme is to highlight the issues of ADHD, review the conventional methods of treating with it, while ensuring that best practice is high
