$Unique_ID{BRK01199}
$Pretitle{Mental and Emotional Conditions}
$Title{A Child With "Hyperactive" Condition}
$Subject{child hyperactive attention-deficit}
$Volume{E-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


A Child With "Hyperactive" Condition


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QUESTION:  My kid just doesn't seem to listen to anything I say, and certainly
can't sit still long enough to have a talk with.  Even my neighbors are
beginning to make comments and one friend thinks that I am dealing with a
child with condition that has the word "hyperactive" in it.  I need some
advise and information.  Can you help, please?

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ANSWER:  I certainly can offer you a few bits and pieces that may help, but
this is a condition where the child must be observed and examined by a
physician in order to get a clear understanding of the problem, and the
information needed to make a correct diagnosis.  I believe your friend is
referring to a condition known as "Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder"
(ADHD).  It is a neurological condition that causes a child to be easily
distracted from the task at hand, inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive, when
compared to other children of the same age.  In some cases, particularly
girls, the hyperactivity is less pronounced or noticeable.  With or without
hyperactivity, this condition may affect from 2 percent to 10 percent of all
children, and hyperactive behavior is the most common problem now being
referred for care to child guidance clinics in the United States.  The
diagnosis will depend upon the presence or absence of certain behavior
patterns. and the severity will be judged by the effect on the child's ability
to function.  There are 14 behavioral criteria listed for ADHD and there must
be at least eight present for six or more months to make the diagnosis.  Here
are but a few for you to use in your own preliminary evaluation of your child.
1:  Often fidgets with hands and feet or squirms in seat, 2:  has difficulty
in remaining seated when required to do so, 3:  is easily distracted by things
happening outside the immediate area, 4:  has difficulty in awaiting turns in
games or group situations.  As you can see it is not a simple task to arrive
at the correct diagnoses which is a must if an effective therapeutic plan is
to be fashioned.  Prescription medications can be one route that is available
to you, but this is a problem in which the solution is neither instantaneous
nor complete, and you should proceed step by step through all the steps needed
for a complete evaluation, meanwhile gathering all the information and
resources that you may need to help you cope effectively.  Your ability to
help your child is most important in the outcome of any treatment.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
