Again, giftedness and ADHD can coexist in the same child.Ĭan a gifted child who spends hours focused on a task still have ADHD? While there are cases of mistaken diagnosis, no empirical data in the medical, educational, or psychological literature confirms the extent of this concern.Ĭareful attempts to avoid over-diagnosis must be balanced against a child's need for evaluation and treatment. Recently, some researchers have expressed concern that children who are gifted are mislabeled as ADHD, and that this mislabeling has been getting out of hand. It's actually possible that the two conditions may coexist. When the child is also gifted, a specialist in giftedness should also be included to provide information about the child's behavior in comparison to other children of similar abilities.Īre gifted kids labeled as having ADHD instead of being gifted? Having said this, remember that only specialists can exclude any other medical, psychological, or psychiatric conditions from the possibility of ADHD. Because of this, the classroom teacher is often the best person to make these comparisons (when provided with the proper ratings, checklist, and information). Information about these other conditions is rarely available to school personnel, no matter how observant, experienced, or well trained.įor the majority of children, symptoms become clear-cut when they can be observed regularly and compared to other children over a long period of time. Ideally, a team - including a qualified clinician such as a pediatrician, family physician, psychiatrist, neurologist, or psychologist - should make the diagnosis of ADHD, because only a specialist can tell the difference between ADHD and other physical and psychological problems that mimic ADHD. Blurts out answers before questions have been completed Finds it difficult to play or work quietlyħ. Runs or climbs or feels restless in inappropriate situationsĤ. Leaves his seat or other places where he is expected to remainģ.
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Is easily distracted by things going on around herĢ. Loses necessary tools (pencils, toys, etc.) for projects or activitiesĨ. Avoids or dislikes projects or games that require concentrationħ. Has difficulty organizing herself around tasks and activitiesĦ. Fails to finish work or projects, and does not follow throughĥ. Doesn't seem to listen to someone speaking directly to herĤ. Has difficulty paying attention for long periods of timeģ. Makes careless mistakes and doesn't pay attention to detailsĢ. Also, the symptoms must occur in more than one setting (for example, school and home), must persist for at least six months, and must impair your child enough so that he is not displaying age-appropriate behavior.ġ. Six of the nine symptoms must be present to be diagnosed. There are nine symptoms of both inattention and hyperactivity. There are four subtypes of ADHD, according to the DSM-IV:
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However, environmental factors can also cause the ADHD syndrome: factors such as premature birth, head injury, fetal alcohol syndrome, lead toxicity, prenatal maternal smoking, rare endocrine abnormalities, and prenatal exposure to drugs like cocaine. Genetic factors are very important in ADHD, as studies of the family, adoption, and twins have shown. What causes ADHD - genetics or the environment?
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In 1999, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) recognized, for the first time, ADHD and ADD as disorders that should be classified as Other Health Impaired. Estimates vary but the average occurrence of ADHD in school-aged children is two percent. The core symptoms of ADHD are impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. Three experts in the field conducted an exhaustive study and share their findings with us. What do we know about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and gifted kids? ADHD, especially in the gifted, has been in the spotlight of attention, concern, and passion. ADHD and Giftedness: What Do We Really Know?