ADHD

ATtention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (Adhd)

Table of Contents

What is ADHD?

Diagnostic Criteria

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Vanderbilt Assessment

Three Types of ADHD

Symptoms Exercise

Treatment Strategies

ADHD Medications

Informational Videos

This resource is for educational purposes only. A professional medical evaluation is necessary to establish any diagnosis and/or select any treatment.

Andrew Oreshkov, MD Candidate 2024 Rush Medical College

Additional Resources

aTtention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

What is ADHD?

• ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders in children, and it can have long-lasting impacts on child development.
• Symptoms include inattention (not being able to keep focus), hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting) and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur in the moment without thought).

Number of children with ADHD:3–5 years: 265,000 (2%)6–11 years 2.4 million (10%)12–17 years: 3.3 million (13%)

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DSM-5 Diagnostic criteria

Hyperactivity & Impulsivity

Inattention

Six or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity for children up to age 16 years, or five or more for adolescents age 17 years and older and adults; these symptoms have been present for at least 6 months to an extent that is disruptive and inappropriate for the person’s developmental level:

Six or more symptoms of inattention for children up to age 16 years, or five or more for adolescents age 17 years and older and adults; symptoms of inattention have been present for at least 6 months, and they are inappropriate for developmental level:

Additional Conditions

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In addition to the criteria above, 4 conditions must be met:

Vanderbilt assessment Scales

It can be helpful in the diagnosis of ADHD for parents and teachers to complete a Vanderbilt Assessment Scale for ADHD, developed by the NICHQ.

Toward the bottom of the document, there are "follow up" assessments that can be used at future appointments to track patients' progress over time with certain therapies or medications!

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Three "types" of ADHD

Based on the types of symptoms, three kinds (presentations) of ADHD can occur:

Because symptoms can change over time, the presentation may change over time as well.

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Hard to play or work quietly

INATTENTION

Problems concentrating or remembering things

Hyperactivity/Impulsivity

Doing things without thinking

Make "silly" mistakes on homework

Lose your things a lot

Interrupt in class

Get out of your seat a lot when you are supposed to sit

Forget things you need to do

Drag the ones that sound like you!

Talk fast or talk a lot

Hard to organize the things you need to do

Hard to wait your turn

Hard to keep your attention on school work or activities

Fidget in your seat or tap your leg

Hard to pay attention when someone is talking

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Therapies

Therapies

Treatment of ADHD often involves a multi-faceted approach, including one or more of the following:

Medication

Behavioral Strategies

Exercise & Meditation

Cognitive Bevavioral Therapy

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ADHD MEDications

Click the box next to each medication for more info!

Non-Stimulants

Stimulants

Source:

Alpha-agonists clonidineguanfacine

Methylphenidatesmethylphenidatedexmethylphenidate

Amphetaminesamphetaminedextroamphetaminemixed amphetamine saltslisdexamphetamine

Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI)atomoxetine

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Learning about ADHD

What is ADHD?

Hi, My Name is Sam!

Meet Sam!

Hi everyone, my name is Sam and I have ADHD! I'm going to teach you about what ADHD is and how it affects people like us who have it. Along the way, we'll talk about some problems we might have and how to make them better!

My ADHD at School

Getting in Trouble with ADHD

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Video series produced by the Center for ADHD Awareness Canada (CADDAC).

Additional resources

Online Resources

ADDA Virtual Support Groups

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Great books to learn about ADHD & acquire actionable strategies!

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Child Mind Institute