Common Behavioral Disorder (ADHD)

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ADHD is a common behavioral disorder that affects an estimated 8% to 10% of school age children. Boys are about three times more likely than girls to be diagnosed with it. Kids with ADHD act without thinking are hyperactive and have trouble focusing. They may understand what's expected of them but have trouble following through because they can't sit still, pay attention, or attend to details. Of course, all kids (especially younger ones) act this way at times, particularly when they're anxious or excited. But the difference with ADHD is that symptoms are present over a longer period of time and occur in different settings. They impair a child's ability to function socially, academically, and at home. What exactly causes ADHD isn't known. Experts do know that ADHD has a strong genetic component. They think that genes that control the levels of certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters seem to be different in those with ADHD. In some cases, though, there is no genetic link to ADHD. Nevertheless, this common behavior disorder is still diagnosed in children whose mothers smoked or drank alcohol during pregnancy. It's also diagnosed in children whose mothers had difficult pregnancies. Babies with low birth weight may…show more content…
Most children get distracted, act impulsively, and struggle to concentrate at one time or another. Sometimes, these normal factors may be mistaken for ADHD. ADHD symptoms usually appear early in life, often between the ages of 3 and 6, and because symptoms vary from person to person, the disorder can be hard to diagnose. Parents may first notice that their child loses interest in things sooner than other children, or seems constantly "out of control." Often, teachers notice the symptoms first, when a child has trouble following rules, or frequently "spaces out" in the classroom or on the

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