Jackie Schell, Clinical and Consultant Cognitive Psychologist at our Cognitive Clinic discusses important features of ADHD that are less well known.
This is the first in her series 'Understanding and Embracing ADHD' with the aim of breaking down the difficulties people face when living with or raising a child with ADHD.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the current term for a specific brain-based disorder seen in both children and adults but originating in childhood (before the age of 12).
Problems are based in underdeveloped behaviour inhibition, sustained attention and resistance to distraction, and the regulation of activity level to the demands of a situation (hyperactivity or restlessness).
10 features of ADHD that most people are unaware of:
1. Social problems due to an inability to inhibit unhelpful responses.
2. Excessive task-irrelevant activity.
3. Poor continued effort on tasks
4. Problems remembering to do things.
5. Delayed development of internal language (the mind’s voice or self-talk) and rule-following.
6. Problems with working memory.
7. Difficulties with regulation of emotions, motivation,
8. Diminished problem-solving ability,
9. Greater than normal variability in their task or work performance.
10. Problems with writing, verbal fluency and motor skills.
Adult Outcome
It has been estimated that anywhere from 15 to 50 percent of those with ADHD ultimately outgrow the disorder. The problem is we don't know which ones!
As you can see, there are a lot of challenges for those who have ADHD. Compassion and our undersanding whilst navigating a treatment path are essential.
If you would like to know more we will be sharing information here on a weekly basis.