Also called: Also called: ADHD
Is it hard for your child to sit still? Does your child act without thinking first? Does your child start but not finish things? If so, your child may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD for short.) Nearly everyone shows some of these behaviors at times, but ADHD lasts more than 6 months and causes problems in school, at home and in social situations.
ADHD is more common in boys than girls, and it affects 3-5 percent of children in the United States. The principal characteristics of ADHD are
- Inattention
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsivity
No one knows exactly what causes ADHD. It runs in families, so genetics may be a factor. A complete evaluation by a trained professional is the only way to know for sure if your child has ADHD. Treatment often includes medicines to control symptoms. Structure at home and at school is also important. Parenting classes or behavioral therapy may also help.
National Institute of Mental Health
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ADHD: What Parents Should Know(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/behavior/118.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/children/parents/behavior/118.printerview.html
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Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder
(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/a-look-at-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/summary.shtml
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd/complete-publication.shtml
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Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/adhd/adhd.htm
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Frequently Asked Questions about AD/HD(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/faqs.cfm
Also available in Spanish http://www.help4adhd.org/faqs.cfm?varLang=es
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What Is AD/HD?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/adhd.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/emociones/adhd_esp.html
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What Is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/what.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/Spanish/adhd/whatisADHD.htm
- ADHD Thwarts Adults' Potential Attainment(09/04/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68897.html
- ADHD Might Raise Kids' Obesity Risk(07/07/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_66649.html
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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - Symptoms of ADHD(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/symptom.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/Spanish/adhd/symptoms.htm
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Diagnosis of AD/HD in Adults(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/en/treatment/guides/WWK9S
Also available in Spanish http://www.help4adhd.org/es/treatment/guides/WWK9S
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ADHD Medicines(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/behavior/103.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/children/parents/behavior/103.printerview.html
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ADHD Parents Medication Guide(American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Psychiatric Association) - Large PDF file - http://parentsmedguide.org/ParentGuide_English.pdf
- Managing Medication for Adults with AD/HD(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/en/treatment/medical/WWK10
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Medication Management for Children and Adolescents with AD/HD(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/treatment/medical/WWK3
Also available in Spanish http://www.help4adhd.org/es/treatment/medical/WWK10
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Medications(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/medications/complete-publication.shtml
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Methylphenidate and Clonidine Help Children with ADHD and Tics(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/news_articles/news_article_adhd.htm
- Psychosocial Treatment for Children and Adolescents with AD/HD(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/treatment/behavioral/WWK7
- Complementary and Alternative Treatments(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/en/treatment/complementary/WWK6
- Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/learning/iep.html
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Parenting a Child with AD/HD(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/living/parenting/WWK2
Also available in Spanish http://www.help4adhd.org/es/living/parenting/WWK2
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Peer Relationships and ADHD(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/peer.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/Spanish/adhd/peerrelationships.htm
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AD/HD and Coexisting Disorders(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/en/treatment/coexisting/WWK5
Also available in Spanish http://www.help4adhd.org/es/treatment/coexisting/WWK5
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ADHD and Risk of Injuries(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/injury.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/Spanish/adhd/injuries.htm
- ADHD and the Military(Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Online) - http://www.dbpeds.org/articles/detail.cfm?TextID=%20758
- ADHD: Not Just for Kids Anymore(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2004/604_adhd.html
- Helping Children and Youth with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Systems of Care(Center for Mental Health Services) - http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/sma05-4059/
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ADHD Drugs: Summary of Affordable Alternatives(Consumers Union of U.S.) - http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/adhd.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/ADHDspanish.pdf
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Attention+Deficit+Disorder+with+Hyperactivity%22
- AAP/AHA Clarification of Statement on Cardiovascular Evaluation and Monitoring of Children and Adolescents with Heart Disease Receiving Medications for ADHD(American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics) - http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=422
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ADHD Genetic Research Study at NIH(National Human Genome Research Institute) - http://www.genome.gov/10004300
- Children with ADHD Should Get Heart Tests Before Treatment with Stimulant Drugs(American Heart Association) - http://americanheart.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=398
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Science News about ADHD(National Institute of Mental Health) - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/index-adhd-news.shtml
- St. John's Wort Does Not Help Kids with ADHD(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/research/stjwort.html
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St. John's Wort Shows No Impact on the Symptoms of ADHD(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/061008.htm
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: American Academy of Pediatrics/American Heart Association clarification of statement on... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18698199&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder: controversies of diagnosis and safety... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18690948&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Cardiovascular monitoring and stimulant drugs for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18676566&tool=MedlinePlus
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=attention+deficit+disorder+with+hyperactivity[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder(American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) - http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/child_and_adolescent_psychiatrist_finder/child_and_adolescent_psychiatrist_finder
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - http://www.aacap.org/
- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - http://www.chadd.org/
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National Institute of Mental Health - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
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Educational Rights for Children with AD/HD(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/en/education/rights/WWK4
Also available in Spanish http://www.help4adhd.org/es/systems/legal/WWK14
- Legal Rights: Higher Education and the Workplace(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/en/systems/legal/WWK14
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Diagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disability: 2004-2006(National Center for Health Statistics) - Large PDF file - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_10/Sr10_237.pdf
- ADHD Medicines(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/learning_problem/ritalin.html
- What Is Hyperactivity?(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/learning_problem/adhdkid.html
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AD/HD and Driving(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/en/living/parenting/driving
Also available in Spanish http://www.help4adhd.org/es/living/parenting/driving
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ADHD(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/learning/adhd.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/mente/adhd_esp.html
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ADHD Medications(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/question/health_basics/ritalin.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/mente/ritalin_esp.html
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Women and AD/HD(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/en/living/womengirls/WWK19
Also available in Spanish http://www.help4adhd.org/es/living/womengirls/WWK19
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ADHD in Adults(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/kids/636.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/mentalhealth/kids/636.printerview.html
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Coaching for Adults with AD/HD(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/en/living/coaching/WWK18
Also available in Spanish http://www.help4adhd.org/es/living/coaching/WWK18
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Social Skills in Adults with AD/HD(Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) - http://www.help4adhd.org/en/living/relandsoc/WWK15
Also available in Spanish http://www.help4adhd.org/es/living/relandsoc/WWK15
- Child Behavior Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/childbehaviordisorders.html
- Learning Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/learningdisorders.html
- Brain and Nerves - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/brainandnerves.html
- Children and Teenagers - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/childrenandteenagers.html
- Mental Health and Behavior - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mentalhealthandbehavior.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the National Institute of Mental Health - http://www.nimh.nih.gov/