Question: What Is ADHD?
Answer:
In 1902, Sir George F. Still provided the first clinical description of the disorder in a series of papers about a group of children who displayed impulsivity and behavior problems. According to Still, these symptoms were caused by a genetic dysfunction and not by poor parenting. Since that time, a wealth of research on the symptoms, causes, and treatments for ADHD has been published.
Source: (1996) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder National Institute of Mental Health
>>Next: Symptoms of ADHD
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral and developmental disorder.
- ADHD usually becomes apparent during the preschool and early school years.
- Children with ADHD have difficulty paying attention and controlling their behavior.
- Some estimates show that between 3 and 5 percent of children have ADHD, or approximately 2 million children in the United States.
- Based on these estimates, at least one child in a classroom of 25 to 30 children is likely to have ADHD.
History of ADHD
Dr. Heinrich Hoffman in 1845 first described ADHD in a children’s book, “The Story of Fidgety Philip,” which contained an accurate description of a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.In 1902, Sir George F. Still provided the first clinical description of the disorder in a series of papers about a group of children who displayed impulsivity and behavior problems. According to Still, these symptoms were caused by a genetic dysfunction and not by poor parenting. Since that time, a wealth of research on the symptoms, causes, and treatments for ADHD has been published.
Source: (1996) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder National Institute of Mental Health
>>Next: Symptoms of ADHD
