Heredity

Multiple genes contribute to ADHD, each making a small effect, and multiple genes making a bigger impact. Children are 6 to 8 times more likely to have ADHD if a parent has ADHD.

Structural Differences in the Brain

People who have ADHD can have brain differences that include significant reduction in cerebral and cerebellar volume. This also includes variations in brain functioning, which is also tied closely to reading comprehension.

Environmental Causes

Prenatal- exposure to cigarettes' smoke, lead and alcohol

Perinatal- low birth weight

Postnatal- toxin in the environment, poor diet, child abuse and neglect

I. Observation-student doesn't seem to be listening, is making careless mistakes, is having a hard time maintaining attention

II. Screening- This can include student products, intelligence tests, a medical screening that rules out any other physical condition that could be contributing to inattention and hyperactivity.

III. Prereferral- The student will still experience frustration, inattention, or hyperactivity even though accommodations have been made

IV. Referral- This would be a team submission

V. Nondiscriminatory evaluations procedures and standards- Students displays 6 or more of the characteristics as defined by DSM-V-TR. These observations should be made before the child is 7. The student may also be struggling in more than one subject.

VI. Determination- Decision made by multidisciplinary evaluation team. The team will likely use the Attention Deficit Disorder Evaluation Scale

• Maintain a positive attitude

• Keep things in perspective

• Don't sweat the small stuff and be willing to make some compromises

• Believe in your child

• Seek support

• Take care of yourself

• Follow a routine

This graph shows an increase in the numbers of students diagnoses with ADHD over a span of years.

https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html