ADHD Symposium

When you picture someone with ADHD you probably think of a child. But tell that to Stacey Angelone. The 32 year old still suffers from the disorder. Angelone was a panelist at The ADHD symposium hosted by Fayetteville State University's psychology club. It provided a platform for the discussion of the diverse and intricate aspects of the disorder. The Psychology Club introduced its presentation as The ADHD Controversy: Implications of the Diagnosis for Parents, Teachers and Mental Health Professionals. People with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have a hard time paying attention and/or controlling their behavior. Some college students whose habits include a lack of personal productivity and focus or are just "professional procrastinators", excuse these symptoms of the disorder as something anyone could have. In many instances, they would only be partially correct. Looking at Angelone you wouldn't assume anything was different about the wife and mother of three, except that she doesn't look a day over 25. But the 32 year old carries more on her plate than being a full time college student. Her typical day starts at 6:00am, getting her boys rounded up for school, an internship with autistic clients, dinner and her homework. "I'm very strong-willed and I don't let ADHD control me," she states. Angelone was unaware of her condition before she was diagnosed two years ago. She was already very organized even though she didn't know that her problem was due to the fact she had ADHD. In school, the material seemed to come much easier to her peers than it did for her. She had trouble understanding why she had to work so much harder, so she went to see her doctor who referred her to a psychiatrist. That assessment led her to an "aha moment" once the psychiatrist determined she had ADHD and began to prescribe her medication. "I had to completely organize everything very well, almost down to the minute at times. I worked so hard before I got diagnosed with ADHD, that once I was, it made my life a lot easier." Being so systematic for so long helps with not just her ADHD, it helps with her son's ADHD as well.

ADHD may last through adolescence and adulthood, like it did for Angelone, but it mainly affects children. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is estimated that between three and five percent of children or approximately two million children in the United States have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder. ADHD was first described by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman in 1845. He was a physician who wrote books in medicine and psychiatry. He was also a poet who became interested in writing for children when he couldn't find suitable materials to read to his 3-year old son. A picture book full of poems about children resulted in "The Story of Fidgety Philip" that accurately depicted a little boy who had ADHD. It wasn't until 1902 that Sir George F. Still published a series of lectures about a study group of children with behavioral issues, that ADHD recognized.

Like Dr. Hoffman, Stacey Angelone noticed a change in her child's behavior at the age of 3 but didn't recognize it was ADHD until he was 5. "He was having behavioral issues in daycare but he's very advanced for his age so we typically just thought maybe he was not getting enough stimulation at 3 years old," says Angelone. Her story is like a lot of scenarios where the condition becomes apparent in some children in preschool and during the early school years. ADHD's exact cause is unknown, but many researchers believe it's related to a number of factors; a chemical imbalance in the brain, genetics, linked with other physical causes (i.e. brain damage) or a child's environment. Even food additives and sugar is linked to ADHD, which Angelone monitors with her son and the rest family. According to the most recent version of the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-IV- TR) there are 3 patterns of behavior that indicate ADHD: being consistently inattentive, hyperactive, impulsive or all three types of behavior.

ADHD affects not only the child but everyone involved. Learning about ADHD can make a difference for everyone involved, especially if an early diagnosis and treatment is sought out. The child would require help meeting the daily challenges that ADHD brings. Therefore, the family and friends would need to understand the condition so they can help the child. Since children with ADHD still attend school, the symposium exposed the audience to how teachers and other school personnel must also learn to help the child succeed. Dr. Gill, who was also a panelist and is a licensed mental health professional, put it this way , "Children, parents, teachers and others who are concerned for the welfare of children in various settings need information on the problem it causes a child, their family, their classmates, and etc on a daily basis." It's key that parents and teachers work together to create a system. Teachers can have a positive affect on children with ADHD. It's very possible for teachers to become frustrated because it's time consuming to accommodate the child's needs. Being understaffed and over worked can lead to teachers putting negative labels on children. This leaves room for a misdiagnosis, low self esteem and slower development. Teacher's can help by getting involved with the treatment through the classroom. Introducing the child to a structured environment, reducing his or her work and monitoring their progress is encouraged. The most important aspect is to be positive at all times by praising appropriate behavior and good work ethics.

Medications have also been used to treat the symptoms of ADHD, the most effective class of these being stimulants. Adderal, Ritalin, and Concerta are normally the most common and have been tested on children from 3 years of age to 6 years of age and older. There is no convincing evidence that medications for ADHD can become addictive and most side effects of the stimulant medications are minor. Angelone was able to find alternative means for her child by taking the natural, holistic approach and she chooses to put breaks on the medication when he is less likely to need it during weekends and holidays. She also accompanies a healthy diet and exercise with the right medication. "We're a soccer loving family," she laughs.