Naturally the first thing you want to know is:

Well, here at ADHD.org.nz, we offer you 2 definitions:

The short definition:
"Attention Deficit Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an early onset, biological disorder, classically characterised by a triad of symptoms: hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity. These 3 symptoms are persistent and at developmentally inappropriate levels."

The long definition:

NOTE: Much of what is written about ADHD is the subject of debate. But the extended definition that we present here is generally agreed upon by the wider medical and scientific community.

According to the Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition) (the most widely used diagnostic criteria for ADHD), the ADHD condition can be broken down into 3 sub-categories:

• attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: combined type
• attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: predominantly inattentive
• attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: predominantly hyperactive or impulsive

Generally an ADHD child will be diagnosed with one of the three depending on their symptoms.

Prevalence:
Nobody knows the exact number of children with ADHD in New Zealand. In the USA, however, approximately 2-5% of the school age population has been diagnosed with one of the 3 types of ADHD. Strangely, ADHD is 3 to 4 times more likely to occur in males than females.

Onset & duration:
The onset of symptoms is early in childhood, before 7 years of age (generally noticable at 4-5 years). And for approx. 75% of ADHD sufferers, these symptoms continue into adulthood, although levels of hyperactivity may decrease with age.

Cause:
For the most part, the cause of ADHD (all three sub-types) remains a mystery. The experts agree that the condition is primarily biological in nature. Researchers have suggested that genetics may be responsible for some cases of ADHD, but nongenetic factors (such as exposure to toxins, episodes of oxygen deprivation or smoking during pregnancy) have also been indentified as possible causal factors.

A lot of research has also been conducted on the neurobiology of ADHD. For a more detailed discussion on the possible causes of ADHD, Click here.

Comorbidity
Comorbidity refers to the child having additional problems as well as ADHD. As many as two-thirds of clinically referred children with ADHD have additional problems. 30-50% will have conduct disorder (CD), and 20-25% will have anxiety problems. Generally 20-30% of ADHD children also have learning problems and as many as 30% have delayed motor development.

What to do if you suspect a child has ADHD:
The first step in helping a child who displays the three hallmark symptoms (hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity), is to seek a diagnosis. This involves organising an appointment with a paediatric specialist or child psychologist. If you are not sure of where to find a specialist in your town/city, have a look at our map of New Zealand. It will tell you which specialists are available in your region and where to find support groups and resources after diagnosis.

Treatment:
While ADHD is not curable (at the moment), the good news is that ADHD is managable. Both behavioural and pharmacological regimes are available. Click here to read more on treatments of ADHD.

After diagnosis:
The most important thing for both child and parent to remember after being diagnosed with ADHD is that:

ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed childhood mental condition. Most primary schools will have several children already diagnosed with the condition.

Contrary to earlier belief, ADHD is also now recognised as a condition affecting many adults. Many well known sports people have been diagnosed with the adult form of ADHD including the Rugby League's famous bad boy Willie Mason.