Write about a single special needs area mine is ( ADHD). research that Essay

Write about a single special needs area mine is ( ADHD). research that special needs area - Essay Example What once was dubbed as an immaturity is now classified as a disorder.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a mental condition that is characterized by age-inappropriate features of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity (Heward, 2006). The DSM-IV-TR Diagnostic Criteria focuses on a persistent pattern of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity or both, with emphasis on the frequency and severity than is typical among individuals of the same age. Inattention is defined failure to focus attention on those elements of the environment that are most relevant to the task at hand. On the other hand, hyperactivity is the excessive psychomotor activity which is out of proportion to the situation while impulsivity is the tendency to act suddenly without giving it much thought.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has a wide array of symptoms that could very well mimic those of other conditions. This warrants a thorough assessment process by developmental pediatricians, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals to rule out other disorders. This entails complete medical examination, review of medications, dietary habits and living conditions. ADHD can be classified as predominantly inattentive type, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, or a combined type (Heward, 2006). ADHD combined type has both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity for the past 6 months while ADHD predominantly inattentive type has only inattention for the past 6 months. Subsequently, ADHD hyperactivity-impulsivity has only hyperactive and impulsive symptoms prevalent for the past 6 months.   Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the most common neurobehavioral disorder among school-age children (Antai-Otong, 2003). It is estimated that 3-5% of all school-age children have ADHD (American Psychiatric Association, as cited in Heward, 2006). This translates