Cause and Effect of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder among Children

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We would like to express our gratitude to this following people who make our research paper possible: The Almighty Lord, for He is the source of strength, courage, good health, knowledge and wisdom, joy and peace; for His bountiful and spiritual presence in all our undertakings in life; we, the researchers, cannot thank Him enough-no words can express how thankful we are. To our dear parents, for the everlasting and unconditional love, never fading patience, understanding, care and countless prayers, for

wholeheartedly helping out in every step of the way; for giving all their time and sacrifices in their work in favor for the completion of our study; for being the most supportive parents we could ever have. To Ms. Girlie R. Ricanor our English 2 teacher, who gave us this research paper as our course requirement to enhance our skills in writing and thinking and for her encouragement and advises to us for the betterment of our study. To our friends, for the endless support, fun and relaxation to make our life not too much giving pressure, love, trust and encouragement. To our brothers and sisters for being loving and supportive in all of our endeavors.

And to the people whom the researchers failed to mention who have been in one way or another helped in the realization of the study.

The Researchers

DEDICATION The researchers would like to dedicate this research paper to the following people: The Almighty Lord, for He is the source of strength, courage, good health, knowledge and wisdom, joy and peace; for His bountiful and spiritual presence in all our undertakings in life; we, the researchers, cannot thank Him enough-no words can express how thankful we are. To our family especially to our parents, for emotionally and financially supported us all throughout. To our BSN I-1, whom we share laughter and tears as we go through the entire course of making this research paper. To our friends, for the endless support, fun and relaxation to lessen the pressure in making this research paper and also for the love, trust and encouragement they gave. To our brothers and sisters for being loving and supportive in all of our endeavors. The Researchers, Eunice Ann Doctolero Janica Joy Campilla Kevin Corpuz Rochelle Collo Rodolfo Contaoi

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Imagine living in a world where sights, sounds, images and thoughts are constantly changing and shifting. Unable to focus on whatever task is at hand; your mind wanders from one activity or thought to the next. Sometimes you become so lost among all the thoughts and images that you don't even notice when someone is speaking to you. This is what it is like for many people who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD. Once called hyperkinesis or minimal brain dysfunction. It is a neurological condition characterized by inattention, restlessness and impulsivity and commonly diagnosed in early childhood. Symptoms of ADHD can present themselves as early as age two or three, but most commonly shows up and is diagnosed around adolescence. Often the hyperactivity and other more severe symptoms of ADHD will lessen with age, but the more subtle ones such as inattention to detail may well stay with the patient until adulthood and throughout the patients life. A child with ADHD may be very smart, but still receive poor grades due to their inability to focus on their work.Common symptoms of ADHD in children include being overly active, constantly moving, running, climbing, squirming and. It is thought to be hereditary as statistics show that children of people with ADHD are much more likely to have it.Some believe that it is caused by an imbalance in the

brains neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that send messages from ones brain to the rest of ones body (Newton et al. 97-98) It affects 3 to 5 percent of all children, and it is likely to occur two to three times more in boys than in girls. In a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one of them will have ADHD" (Ramer 4). Studies have already been done in the area of ADHD, many school teachers, say these numbers are conservative estimates. Statement of the problem: This research study aimed to have a better understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among children and what will be the possible cause, effects and treatments of this disorder. Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions: 1.What is ADHD? 2.What are the factors that causes ADHD to children? 3. What are the possible effects of ADHD to the children and their parents? 4. What are the signs and symptoms of ADHD? 5. How could parents prevents their children from acquiring ADHD? 6. What is the treatment of ADHD?

Importance of the Study The issue of ADHD is one that has been misunderstood for many years. There are individuals that study it and discuss how significant it is, and there are others that see it as some kind of made-up problem that is not really important to focus on. In recent years it has generally accepted that ADHD does exist and that study of it is important. To alleviate the misconceptions or misunderstandings about ADHD the researchers thought it is superlative to present a research paper about this disorder. This study incorporates the factors that can contribute to this condition and its effect to the physical, mental, social and emotional aspect of the children. Hopefully this research paper will become an answer to the misapprehension about ADHD and it help those people who are experiencing this condition and to their parents to have a better apprehension about ADHD , its possible cause and effects. The discussions in this paper, specifically to the signs and symptoms of ADHD will help all parents to detect early if their children are currently experiencing this condition.

Scope and Limitation This study covers the cause and effects of ADHD. It likewise looked into the different ways to treat ADHD on children and how to detect it early using the signs and symptoms of this disorder. To make this paper more meaningful and useful, a discussion of prevention of ADHD was also included. However, every study has its own limitations because of that the researcher did not attempt to discuss about the ADHD in adults since the topic were only focused on the ADHD in children. Managing children with ADHD was not also discussed by the researchers since treatments of it was provided already in this research paper. Definition of Terms

CHAPTER 2 The most common behavioral disorder of childhood is that of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which is marked by a constellation of symptoms. (Niehart 2003) Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic,

debilitating disorder which may impact upon many aspects of an individuals life, including academic difficulties, social skills problems, and strained parent-child relationships. It is a psychological disorder that is marked by having one or more of the key symptoms: extreme inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity (Myers 2009). In truth these disorders have many more symptoms such as; missing details, forgetting things, misplacing things, not seeming to be listening when spoken to, daydreaming, and much more ( National Institutes of Health 2010). For those who suffer from this disorder, it is an everyday struggle to overcome these obstacles. These and many other effects of ADHD are discuss detailedly discussed in the paper.It also explore the cause, treatment, preventions and signs and symptoms of ADHD. The informations provided will answer the questions raised earlier.

Cause of ADH Genetic factors.There is strong indicators that ADHD or the tendency towards the disorder may be hereditary. For instance, most children with ADHD appear to have at least one blood relative with an attention disorder. At least one in three fathers who had ADHD symptoms in their youth has a child with ADHD. In addition, studies in identical twins found that there is a 91% chance that if one of the twins suffers from ADHD, the other twin will also have the condition. Research is still ongoing, but genetic factors seem to contribute to ADHD susceptibility. No single gene with major contributions to ADHD has been identified up to now. Head injury.For a long time, many scientists believed that ADHD was the result of undetectable brain damage or minor head trauma following a serious fall, accident or difficulties during birth. As a result, ADHD used to be called minimal brain damage (or minimal brain

dysfunction). Brain abnormalities. On average children with ADHD it might have up to 5 percent smaller brain volumes than children without ADHD. Research also showed differences in some of the brains chemical substances that allow brain cells to communicate with one another, also called neurotransmitters. For instance, some neurotransmitters may

show different activity patterns in people with ADHD compared to unaffected individuals. Finally, studies using techniques to image the brain, such as the positron emission tomography (PET) scan, revealed less activity in the areas of the brain that control activity and attention in some persons with ADHD. It is important to emphasize that brain imaging techniques are currently not used to diagnose ADHD. Indeed, while the laboratory observations are consistent, they are not sufficiently sensitive to make an ADHD diagnosis. Environmental factor.Pregnant women who smoke or use alcohol or drugs during pregnancy are at increased risk of having a child with ADHD. Pregnant women who are exposed to environmental poisons, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs - industrial chemicals that were widely used in the past), also may be more likely to have a child with symptoms of ADHD. Preschool children exposed to certain environmental toxins,

particularly lead and PCBs are at increased risk of developmental and behavioral problems, many of which are similar to those found in children diagnosed with ADHD. Exposure to lead, which is found mainly in paint and pipes in older buildings, has been linked to disruptive and even violent behavior and to a short attention span. Exposure to PCBs in infancy may also increase a child's risk of developing ADHD.

Diet.Many people are convinced that ADHD is caused by certain types of nutrition and that especially refined sugar and food additives can contribute to hyperactivity and attention problems. The theory that nutrition and especially junk food, sugar and additives play a role remains the topic of a much heated debate. Studies reveal that many hyperactive children do not appear to benefit from restricted diets and that these diets only seemed to help about 5% of children with ADHD and that most of these children were either very young, or suffered from food allergies. Although a healthy diet will contribute to the wellbeing of any child, including a child with ADHD, there appears to be no conclusive evidence that certain diets or food play a part in the condition. Sleep-breathing problems.Researchers has found that children who snore are nearly twice as much at risk of being inattentive and hyperactive than those who don't. Furthermore, it was shown that snoring early in life predicted new or worsened behavior problems four years later. Similar behavior was seen among children who had other symptoms of sleep disturbance, such as sleep apnea (brief breathing lapses in sleep that disrupt sleep and can reduce blood oxygen levels), or daytime sleepiness. The researchers believe that ADHD may result from the sleepiness caused by snoring. This relationship rests on the concept that snoring, sleep apnea, and other breathing problems during sleep diminish the quality of sleep, repeatedly reduce oxygen levels, and affect daytime behavior. This might result in an overtly tired, irritable,

hyperactive child with limited attention and focus on different tasks. The researchers concluded that their findings strengthen the hypothesis that untreated sleep-breathing problems in childhood can contribute to the development of hyperactivity. These studies highlight the importance of diagnosing sleeping problems in children, as they can have a major impact on health, behavior, and quality of life. Effects of ADHD to children That a child suffering from ADHD may experience inattention. Inattention becomes more prominent when the child is involved in tasks that need vigilance, rapid reaction time, systemic and sustained listening, visual and perceptual search. These children can face difficulty in passive learning situations and may need extra attention in the classroom or special educational services. Impulsivity.Children with ADHD may experience impulsivity symptoms, such as calling out answers in class without thinking, being unable to wait their turn and interrupting frequently. These impulsive actions may cause a child to lag behind others in the class and and may present problems with making friends.

Hyperactivity.Symptoms of hyperactivity can be experienced by children with ADHD. Hyperactivity is characterized by excessive restlessness and movement. The various symptoms associated with hyperactivity include running or climbing in inappropriate situations, being unable to play quietly and talking excessively. A hyperactive child may find school work more difficult, may be teased by others and may be frequently punished for disruptive behaviors. These children often need proper treatment, behavior modifications and support. Disruptive Behavior.Disruptive behavior is a more serious condition that affects not only the child but also the family members and persons living near the child. A child with ADHD may have symptoms of antisocial behavior, such as stealing, fighting, and harming people or destroying property. Everyday routines of such children are complicated by disorderly and unfocused behavior. Treatment consists of treatment with medications and behavioral therapy. Learning Disabilities Merck.com reports that about 20 to 60 percent of children with ADHD may have learning disabilities and 80 percent may experience academic difficulties. Children with ADHD may make careless mistakes during school work and be inattentive in class. They may not follow repeated requests and may shift from one incomplete work to another.

Because we expect very young children to be easily distractible and hyperactive, its the impulsive behaviorsthe dangerous climb, the blurted insultthat often stand out in preschoolers with ADD/ADHD.

By age four or five, though, most children have learned how to pay attention to others, to sit quietly when instructed to, and not to say everything that pops into their heads. So by the time children reach school age, those with ADD/ADHD stand out in all three behaviors: inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Inattention According to researchers at the Mayo Clinic, all three signs of ADHD can appear when your child is an infant. Most of the time, symptoms present themselves prior to age 7.

Signs of inattention include carelessness in school work and other activities, difficulty sustaining attention during play and other tasks, trouble with follow-through on directions, problems organizing tasks or activities and forgetfulness. Children with ADHD also have trouble

listening, even when you speak directly to them. They might avoid or dislike tasks that require sustained mental concentration.

Hyperactivity Signs of hyperactivity in children with ADHD include trouble sitting still during dinner, school and story time, non-stop talking, erratic

movements and touching or playing with everything in sight, according to NIMH. Mayo Clinic experts contend that boys are more likely to exhibit hyperactive behavior, while girls tend to be more inattentive. When a boy exhibits fidgety behavior, it is often in response to his inability to concentrate. When girls cannot focus, they often daydream.

Impulsivity The overly impulsive child makes inappropriate comments, cannot control his emotions and acts without considering consequences. Impulsivity symptoms also include impatience. For instance, a child with ADHD might have trouble waiting for his turn while playing a game. Additionally, children exhibiting impulsivity might frequently interrupt the conversations and activities of others. These behaviors tend to be

more conspicuous in boys than in girls. Compliance to teachers and other adults is often lower among boys with ADHD.

If you or your child are struggling with ADHD there are many safe and effective treatments that can drastically improve its symptoms. ADHD treatment can boost school and job performance, improve organizational skills, and foster better relationships. Furthermore, treatment doesnt necessarily mean pills or doctors offices. Treatment for ADHD is any action you take to manage the symptoms. And while you may want to seek professional help along the way, ultimately, you are the one in charge of treating ADHD, whether you are the parent or the patient. You dont have to wait for a diagnosis or rely on professionals. You can start treating your childs symptoms with your own way. Understanding ADD / ADHD treatment options Treatment for attention deficit disorder isnt just about seeing doctors or taking medication. The term treatment actually refers to behavior, management, or actionnot just to medical approaches. ADHD

treatment can mean changing habits, altering frame of mind, talking to

others, and learning strategies to help your child. And you dont have to pick just one treatment. In fact, the best way to treat ADHD is to combine several different methods to get the best possible result. You have the power to figure out what works for your child and implement the appropriate treatments.

Lifestyle Evidence shows that eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise, and making other smart daily choices can help child manage the symptoms of ADHD. Regular exercise Exercising is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Physical activity immediately boosts the brains dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levelsall of which affect focus and attention. In this way, exercise and medications for ADHD such as Ritalin and Adderall work similarly. But unlike ADD/ADHD medication, exercise doesnt require a prescription and its side effect free. In addition to improving concentration and decreasing hyperactivity and impulsivity, regular exercise can also elevate mood, combat stress,

improve memory, increase motivation, keep depression and anxiety at bay, help sleep better, and prime brain for learning. Enough Sleep Many children with ADHD have sleep difficulties. The most common problems include:

Trouble getting to sleep at night, often because racing thoughts are keeping up. Unrefreshing, restless sleep. child toss and turn throughout the night and wake up feeling tired. Difficulty waking up in the morning. Waking up is a daily struggle. Your child may sleep through multiple alarms and feel groggy and irritable for hours after getting up. Regular quality sleep can lead to vast improvement in the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Simple changes to daytime habits go a long way toward resting well at night.

Eating right

All children need a healthy diet to grow and develop properly. Special diets have been used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD, but many are still being researched. Currently there is no specific diet for children with ADHD, but there is anecdotal evidence that limiting certain foods can help prevent symptoms of ADHD and manage the disorder. Fresh Foods The healthiest diet for a child with ADHD is rich in nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, grains and healthy fats, says the Mayo Clinic. Lean proteins and low-fat dairy products also provide vitamins, minerals and nutrients that a child needs to be healthy and develop physically and cognitively. The Mayo Clinic recommends limiting sugary and processed foods; these tend to be high in calories and fat but offer few essential nutrients. Non-Salicylate Foods Salicylate is a naturally occurring chemical in fruits and vegetables. Foods that contain salicylates are eliminated on the Feingold diet, the best-known diet used to treat ADHD. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, or CSPI, non-salicylate fruits and vegetables are bananas, melons, grapefruits, kiwis, lemons, mangos, papayas, pears, pineapples, beans, beets, bean sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, carrots,

cauliflower, celery, kale, lettuce, lentils, mushrooms, onions, peas, potatoes, spinach, squash, corn, sweet potatoes and zucchini. Foods high in salicylates should be avoided and include apples, apricots, tomatoes, berries, cherries, cucumbers, grapes, nectarines, oranges, peaches, peppers, plums and tangerines. Additive-Free Foods Food additives refer to artificial colorings, preservatives and flavorings. According to the Mayo Clinic, food additives do not cause ADHD, but may worsen hyperactivity. Food additives are generally used in processed and commercially prepared foods. Additive-free foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, fish, eggs and dairy products. The best way to tell if a food contains additives is to read food labels and ingredient lists. Omega-3 Fatty Acids According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, omega-3 fatty acids, an essential fatty acid, support normal brain function and may benefit children with ADHD. Omega-3 fatty acids are in fish and fish oil, walnuts, flaxseed, soybean and canola oil, Brussels sprouts, kale and spinach.

therapy Treatment for ADHD can also mean seeking outside help. Professionals trained in ADHD can help your child learn new skills to cope with symptoms and change habits that are causing problems. Some therapies focus on managing stress and anger or controlling impulsive behaviors, while others teach you how to handle time and money better and improve your organizational skills. Medication Prescription drugs for ADHD can be helpful in treatment, but its important to understand that medication is a tool, not a cure. Medication for ADHD doesnt work for everyone, and even when it does work, it wont solve all problems or completely eliminate symptoms. In fact, while medication for ADD/ADHD often improves attention and concentration, it typically does very little to help symptoms of disorganization, poor time management, forgetfulness, and procrastination. Everyone responds differently to ADHD medication. Some people experience dramatic improvement while others experience little to no relief. The side effects also differ from person to person and, for some, they far outweigh the benefits. Because everyone responds differently, finding the right medication and dose takes time.

Medication for ADD/ADHD is more effective when combined with other treatments. You will get much more out of your medication if you also take advantage of other treatments that address emotional and behavioral issues and teach you new coping skills. ADD/ADHD medication should always be closely monitored. Medication treatment for ADD/ADHD involves more than just taking a pill and forgetting about it. You and your doctor will need to monitor side effects, keep tabs on how youre feeling, and adjust the dosage accordingly. When medication for ADD/ADHD is not carefully monitored, it is less effective and more risky. supporting childs treatment Your childs number one resource for treating his or her attention deficit disorder is youthe parent or caretaker. You set the stage for your childs emotional and physical health. You have control over many of the factors that can positively influence the symptoms of ADHD and allow child to thrive. Treatment for childhood ADD / ADHD at home Children withADHD are more likely to succeed in completing tasks when the tasks occur in predictable patterns and in predictable places, so that they know what to expect and what they are supposed to do.

Follow a routine. It is important to set a time and a place for everything to help a child with ADHD understand and meet expectations. Establish simple and predictable rituals for meals, homework, play, and bed. Use clocks and timers. Consider placing clocks throughout the house, with a big one in your childs bedroom. Allow plenty of time for what your child needs to do, such as homework or getting ready in the morning. Simplify your childs schedule. Avoiding idle time is a good idea, but a child with ADHD may become even more distracted and wound up if there are too many after-school activities. Create a quiet place. Make sure your child has a quiet, private space of his or her own. A porch or bedroom can work well tooas long as its not the same place as the child goes for a time-out. Set an example for good organization. Set up your home in an organized way. Make sure your child knows that everything has its place. Role model neatness and organization as much as possible. The importance of praise As you establish a consistent structure and routine, keep in mind that children with ADHD often receive criticism. Be on the lookout for good behaviorand praise it. Praise is especially important for children

who have ADHD because they typically get so little of it. A smile, positive comment, or other reward from you can improve your childs attention, concentration, and impulse control. Do your best to focus on giving positive praise for appropriate behavior and task completion, while giving as few negative responses as possible to inappropriate behavior or poor task performance. Reward your child for small achievementsthese will lead to bigger successes down the road. Treating ADHD naturally has helped a number of parents when medications have failed to bring results, but prevention is still better than cure. If your family has a history of ADHD, autism, and other disorders, there are certain things you can do to protect your child from the environmental triggers of these conditions. Breastfeed.Breastfeeding your baby is not only more economical than buying formula milk; it's healthier for the baby as well. A breastfed baby has a lower chance of developing food allergies and intolerance to casein, a protein found in milk known to trigger ADHD-like symptoms. The nutrients found in breast milk also aid in the baby's neurological development - assuming the mother is not suffering from any nutritional deficits. If you are breastfeeding your child, keep taking a daily multivitamin and omega-3 fish oil supplements so you and your baby stay well-nourished.

Eat organic as much as possible.No matter how many times you wash traditionally farmed vegetables with water, they will still contain traces of pesticides. Most pesticides work by damaging the nervous system of insects, but the human brain contains the same

neurotransmitters insects have. Although adults have developed a certain resistance to these chemicals, young children and babies are very vulnerable to their effects. This is why you should serve organically farmed produce to your family as much as possible, or restrict your diet to organic foods if you are pregnant. For the same reason, avoid using pesticides in the home as well. It's easy for children to be contaminated by household pesticides because of the amount of time they spend playing on the floor. Be careful about vaccines.Doctors and school officials give the impression that vaccinating children is a must. Although children are vulnerable to a number of diseases, it's startling to discover that many of these vaccines contain neurotoxins like mercury, which contribute to ADHD and autism. Educate yourself about the effects of infectious childhood diseases and weigh the pros and cons before deciding to have your child vaccinated. Avoid food with artificial additives.It's a little-known fact that artificial coloring, flavoring, and preservatives trigger the symptoms of ADHD. Unfortunately, many foods marketed to children contain a lot of

these chemicals. Avoid buying foods with artificial additives, and restrict candy and junk cereals to weekends or special occasions. Encourage physical activity.Video games and TV shows can be hypnotizing, but they also encourage kids to enjoy a sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity is necessary to a child's neurological development, so make sure your child spends a lot of time playing outdoors. Set a limit to the number of hours he or she can watch TV.

CHAPTER 3 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Conclusions: Based on the discussions presented in this research paper, the following conclusions were arrived at. 1.ADHD is a psychological disorder that can affect not only the mind of the children but also its emotion, behavior, social interaction. 2. The treatment of ADHD is not only by medications or seeing doctors it
can also be by proper management and action of the parents towards their children who are experiencing this disorder. 3.There are certain things you can do to protect your child from the environmental triggers of ADHD.

4. ADHD is one of the major and common disorder of childhood.

5. There are many contributory factors that causes ADHD not only by genetics but also on the environment,diet,brain injuries and trauma. Article Source

Gifted Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Maureen Neihart October 2003

Addiction. (2000). In D. E. Newton, D. Olendorf, C. Jeryan, and K. Boyden (eds.), Sick! diseases and disorders, injuries and infections: Vol. 2. (pp. 7-14). Detroit: UXL. http://www.psychiatry24x7.com/bgdisplay.jhtml?itemname=adhd_cause s Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/193697-effects-from-

adhd/#ixzz1n65wdLo5 http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_signs_symptoms.htm

Read more: Signs & Symptoms of ADHD in a Child | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6191846_signs-symptoms-adhdchild.html#ixzz1n68ofYgX

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more:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/139966-foods-adhd-

children/#ixzz1n6ClpMoy Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5924971