ADD is officially called Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD (American Psychiatric Association, 1994), although most lay people, and even some professionals, still call it ADD or ADD (the names given in 1980) or ADHD . The disorder's name has changed as a result of scientific advances and the findings of careful field trials; researchers now have strong evidence to support the position that AD/HD [ ADD or ADHD ] [as we will refer to the disorder throughout the remainder of this Briefing Paper] is not one specific disorder with different variations. In keeping with this evidence, ADHD [ ADD OR ADHD ] is now divided into three subtypes, according to the main features associated with the disorder: inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
The three ADD - ADHD subtypes are:
- ADHD Predominantly Combined Type
- ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type
- ADHD Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
These subtypes take into account that some children with AD/HD [ ADD OR ADHD ] have little or no trouble sitting still or inhibiting behavior, but may be predominantly inattentive and, as a result, have great difficulty getting or staying focused on a task or activity. Others with ADHD [ ADD OR ADHD ] may be able to pay attention to a task but lose focus because they may be predominantly hyperactive-impulsive and, thus, have trouble controlling impulse and activity. The most prevalent subtype is the Combined Type. These children will have significant symptoms of all three characteristics.
ADHD [ ADD OR ADHD ] is a neurobiologically-based developmental disability estimated to affect between 3-5% of the school age population (Professional Group for Attention and Related Disorders,1991). No one knows exactly what causes ADHD [ ADD OR ADHD ]. Scientific evidence suggests that the disorder is genetically transmitted in many cases and results from a chemical imbalance or deficiency in certain neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that help the brain regulate behavior. In addition, a landmark study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health showed that the rate at which the brain uses glucose, its main energy source, is lower in subjects with ADHD [ ADD OR ADHD ] than in subjects without ADHD [ ADD OR ADHD ] (Zametkin et al., 1990).
Even though the exact cause of ADHD [ ADD OR ADHD ] remains unknown, we do know that ADHD [ ADD OR ADHD ] is a neurologically-based medical problem. Parents and teachers do not cause ADHD [ ADD OR ADHD ]. Still, there are many things that both can do to help a child manage his or her ADHD [ ADD OR ADHD ]-related difficulties. Before we look at what needs to be done, however, let us look at what ADHD [ ADD OR ADHD ] is and how it is diagnosed.
