Causes & Treatment




	ESE424 : The Class : Mild Disabilities : ADD : What

Causes and Treatments for ADD and ADHD

This unit allows you to explore some information about the potential causes of ADD and ADHD as well as some basic information about treatments for children with these conditions. The unit is shorter than other online lessons in this topic and consists primarily of visiting other external sites.

Causes

Various theories have been developed about the causes of ADD and ADHD. These range from biological or neurological malformations as a reason for some of the signs or symptoms, to educational structure and organization as a causal agent, to a strict behavioral explanation of motivation (or lack thereof). Each potential explanation probably has helped us to understand ADD and ADHD a little more. Each has also contributed specific intervention methods that are widely used to help children with ADD and ADHD.

Biological Explanations

Much of the biological approach to explaining why children have ADHD and ADD has centered around examining brain structure and function of children effected with the disorder or tracing the pattern of occurrence across family lines (i.e., a genetic transmission). Both branches of inquiry have uncovered some very important information to consider as you work with youngsters and adults with ADD or ADHD. Click on the links below to learn more about potential biological approaches to ADD.

Brain Development and Function

Studies have shown that the structure and function of the brains of children with ADD and ADHD is different from their peers who do not have the disorder.

Scientific American "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder"

Subtle Brain Circuit Differences in Children with ADHD

Patterns of Inheritance of ADHD and ADD

There appears to be evidence, although preliminary, that ADD and ADHD, like a learning disability, have a familial (inherited) component.

Genetics, Inheritance, and ADD (fact sheet)

Treatment Approaches

Recent research has documented that the problems associated with ADHD and ADD do not fade with time and, in at least some instances become worse. As you have learned, individuals with these disorders continue to be at risk for academic problems, conduct disorders, substance abuse and emotional disorders. Given this, it is important to develop effective interventions to address these potential problems. Indeed, following each theoretical perspective, practitioners and clinicians have developed a range of interventions for children with ADD and ADHD. These interventions generally fall into two broad classifications: educational or behavioral interventions, and pharmacological approaches.

Educational and Behavioral Interventions.

The purpose of educational and behavioral interventions is to assist the child with ADHD or ADD to become more successful in their educational placement. Educational interventions can take one of two forms. The teacher can either modify the environment or teach the child to control the effects of his or her ADD/ADHD (i.e., coping strategies). Click on the links below to get some more detailed information about educational and behavioral interventions for children with ADD/ADHD.

8 Principles for working with children who have ADD

Accommodations to help children with ADD

Strategies for the Classroom

Appropriate Accommodations and Interventions

Medical or Pharmaceutical Approaches

Probably the most frequently cited type of intervention for children with ADD or ADHD is medication. Physicians and psychiatrists have long used medications such as ritalin, cylert, and dexadrine with these types of children. At last report, the effectiveness of such medications has been inconsistent. The links below allow you to explore the medications that are typically employed, how these medications work, and some of the potential side effects of these medications. The last link presents some information about other, more controversial treatments for ADD.

Medications used to Treat ADD and ADHD

Basic Facts about ADD Medications

Some Other Controversial Treatments for ADD and ADHD

Once you have finished you should:

Go on to Personal Perspectives of ADD
or
Go back to Attention Deficit Disorder

E-mail Larry Gallagher at Larry.Gallagher@nau.edu