Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

WHAT IS ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects attention and learning in children and adults both in school and their daily lives. It tends to run in families and must be present by age seven. However, it may not be diagnosed until a person is an adult. Two to four percent of adults have ADHD.

ADHD is primarily caused by a chemical imbalance of the neurotransmitters in the brain. Hyperactive or under-active behavior (inattentiveness or daydreaming) or a combination of both behaviors is possible.

ADHD has had several names in the past. AD/HD, which is the most recent and accurate medical term, is replacing ADD. However, ADHD is easier to read so is used most often.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF ADHD?

There are three types of ADHD:

Inattentive
Hyperactive-Impulsive
Combined type

WHAT ARE COMMON CHARACTERISTICS?

Typically, college students may notice difficulty with:

paying attention during lectures or in one-to-one conversations

staying focused (may get easily distracted during tests and may switch activities frequently)

making decisions (may not think through situations carefully and instead make impulsive decisions)

staying organized in their studies, finishing assignments and keeping appointments

feeling restless (may need to be on the go all the time and not get enough sleep).

However, students have many strengths and usually exhibit productive traits of:

Creativity
Persistence
Resilience
Charm and Spunk, and often learn best by visual or hands-on activities.

Psychiatrists Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey (both authors with AD/HD) of Driven to Distraction

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE ADHD?

Get a diagnosis by having a professional assessment done by a psychologist or medical doctor. (Bring copies of your grades and teacher’s observations, if possible, to your appointment.) The assessment should include an interview and a review of educational and health records. It may include measures of ability such as the WAIS-R (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale--Revised), and measures of attention such as the TOVA (Test of Variables of Attention), or a behavioral checklist. DSS has a referral list of local assessment providers.

HOW CAN ADHD BE TREATED?

ADHD can most effectively be treated using a three-pronged approach.

Learn educational strategies and use accommodations.

Use a coach to keep you on track, or join an ADHD group or an ADHD online chat.

Discuss ADD medications with a doctor to determine your needs.

Ask your doctor about either stimulant or non-stimulant medications

Do your own research before seeing a doctor so that you may make an informed decision

WHAT ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS ARE MOST OFTEN USED?

Accommodations are individualized for each student based on how their ADHD affects them. For example, if a student is highly distracted by other people when taking tests in a classroom, the student may be authorized to take tests in a private room.

WHICH ORGANIZATIONS/WEBSITES HAVE INFORMATION ON ADD/ADHD?

C.H.A.D.D. (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder)
(also has a newsletter called C.H.A.D.D.E.R.)
499 NW 70th Ave., Suite 308
Plantation, FL 33317
(305) 587-3700
www.chadd.org

National Resource Center on ADHD (in conjunction with C.H.A.D.D.)
(800) 233-4050
www.help4adhd.org

Learning Disability Association of America (LDA)
(412) 341-1515
www.ldaamerica.org/

ADD Resources – A helpful website
www.addresources.org

An in-depth reading list is available on request.

WHAT ON-LINE ARTICLES WILL HAVE STRATEGIES FOR ADHD?

www.insideADHD.org Click on ADHD 101, ADHD at School, or Adult ADHD
ADDA (Attention Deficit Disorder Association) www.add.org/articles/factsheet.html
WebMD www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-support-resources
www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-teens
www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/adhd-in-the-workplace
http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/plus/resources.html
http://cehd.umn.edu/passit/videos.html