Helping those with ADD live

better lives
1
Tony Guajardo
Technical Writing
Brieanna Casey
4/20/2013
oIntroduction.3
oThe Problem...4
oWhat causes ADHD..5
oLiving With ADHD..6
oHow We Help.7
oHelp Cont8
oMore Options.....9
oConcluding Thoughts.....10
oWorks Cited..11

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According to epidemiological data, approximately 4% to 6% of
the U.S. population has ADHD. That is about 8 to 9 million adults
(Jaska). The Attention Deficit Disorder Association has been
around for more than 24 years and helps aid those with the
disorder. The ADDA has been helping people with ADD by
offering support groups to those in need. The ADDA also
continues to participate in research toward ADD. Whether the
parent or the child suffers with ADD, the ADDA has many
resources in which they can help. Most of the help comes from
people with ADD that are willing to talk about their battle with the
disorder. There are also several health professionals that will
take time out of their life to assist those with ADD.

The ADDA prides themselves in helping others in the form of
support groups. Within the APPA, they have separated
themselves in niche groups within the U.S. to pinpoint individuals
to specific regions. These regions have support groups in all
major cities and meet regularly. These ADDA support groups
act as a place of positivity for individuals so they can overcome
their problems with ADD.

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ADD/ADHD is a mental disorder which causes the diagnosed to display
hyperactivity and inattentiveness. ADD/ADHD is normally diagnosed in
young children but studies have shown that this disorder can persist
into adulthood.

ADD/ADHD will continue to have ADD/ADHD into adulthood, it logically
follows that for some kids identified as ADD/ADHD the disorder will
disappear(Armstrong)

ADD/ADHD can be difficult to diagnose because there are so many
symptoms. These symptoms also ,must be present in the child for a
least 6 months for a proper diagnosis.

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ADHD's defining symptoms include: either
behaviors labeled inattention, the so-called
quiet symptoms of ADHD (such as making
frequent, careless mistakes, failing to pay
attention to details, not listening when spoken
to, difficulty organizing tasks, lack of follow-
through, losing things, forgetfulness and easy
distractibility) or hyperactivity and impulsivity,
the two types of behaviors most often identified
with ADHD (Light).
Many researches have been studying
what causes ADD/ADHD and they
still do not know what causes this
disorder. Scientists do believe that
genetics do play a big role though.
The ADDA website is a place where
health professionals can share their
input on research and also share
their expertise with ADD. The ADDA
also hosts an annual conference
where people can get educated
about what causes ADD and how to
overcome the obstacles that ADD
gives a person.
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While the origin is still not concrete there are many
theories out there that are being looked at.
The theories are as followed:

Genes This disorder could be passed down from
generations.
Sugar This is one popular theory but researchers
show that children who are given sugar show
differences in behavior.
Environmental factors Cigarette smoking and alcohol
use during pregnancy could be a contributing factor.
Brain Injuries Only a small amount of children with
ADHD have suffered traumatic brain injury.
Food Additives - this is a relatively new study that is
being conducted by British researchers.

(What Causes ADHD?)
Many people with ADHD have said that living with the disorder is
chaotic. Living with ADHD is a challenge and many of the
diagnosed are not living the live they would like to live. Many
problems can arise with ones diagnosis if they are not treated
and can lead to negative social problems such as poor social
interaction.

Left untreated, it(AHHD) can negatively affect schoolwork, job
performance, and family and social relationships (Terrie). Life
already seems hard enough for some of us, so just try to imagine
a life where you mentally could not focus and overcome simple
obstacles that we are faced with in life.

The ADDA seeks to solve these problems by positively engaging
the diagnosed with others who have struggled with ADHD
themselves.Whether it be one-on-one therapy, group therapy or
therapy with a health professional is up to the patient. Through
this therapy, the diagnosed can learn from other peoples stories
and try to get a grasp on their lives.
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Parent support groups for ADHD
maybe helpful in the sourcing of
such resources (Flisher).

The ADDA as many options that adults can choose from to seek
help for either their ADHD or their childs ADHD. The number one
goal of the ADDA is get people informed and educate them on
numerous treatment options for them. The main solution for
people with ADHD is to seek help with others and learn from their
struggles with the disorder. The ADDA prides themselves on
providing support for those with ADHD.
People who visit their website will be able to locate support
groups in their area, connect with health professionals who
specialize in ADHD and browse for self-help manuals.
The support of family and friends, caring professionals, and
connections with others who understand the challenges and
triumphs of living with ADHD can make the difference from just
getting by to leading a happy, productive and fulfilling life.(Jaska)


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The ADDA wants people to know that
they are not alone and that people do
care about them. These people know
how far a little support will go and want
to see those with ADD succeed in life,
rather than let ADD bring them down.
The ADDA knows that schoolwork can be problematic with some kids and
offers scholarships to kids with ADHD. They have two scholarship: The
Novotni Scholarship and The Moulton-Farnsworth Scholarship . These
scholarships look for students that have met the challenges of living with
ADHD and range from one thousand dollars to five thousand dollars. The
winning essays are then posted online and gives a chance for others to
learn from the struggles of someone else.

An interview with a child psychologist suggests that the best way to deal
with a child who has ADHD is as follows:
First: Keep it positive. It's a rare child who, in response to negative
attention, improves his behavior or performance (Schipani).
The ADDA is a place where people can come for positive reinforcement
and learn how to cope with ADHD.

In conclusion, therefore, providing support to adults diagnosed with
ADHD might assist in bringing about order and control to their chaos,
and as such contribute significantly to a multimodal treatment approach
(Toner).

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Not only does the ADDA offer support for kids and parents, but it also
helps those who live alone and need help. For those adults with ADHD
who live alone, the services of a mentor/coach (in the absence of a family
to support them) might prove beneficial (Toner). This support can vastly
improves ones life and help the way they live with ADHD.

The ADDA offers annual seminars and conferences where the diagnosed
and their families can go seek face-to-face contact and help with their
difficulties living with ADHD. Individuals may also visit the ADDA website
at www.add.org to find the help they need to live the live they want to live.

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You can help by volunteering or donating to the ADDA. The ADDA is
constantly looking for people to join their cause to raise awareness
about ADD/ADHD. You can also donate money to the ADDA which goes
toward not only a scholarship for students who have overcome ADD,
but also helps with research as professionals continue to find out more
about ADD.
The ADDA has many options
that individuals can look up in
order for them to have more
order in their lives.
Therapy proves to be very
beneficial for people with ADD
and can improve someone's
quality of life. From the chart on
the left you can see how
effective help can be to
someone who has ADD. There
is a drastic change in multiple
brain functions according to this
study and the ADDA offers such
help. It is extremely easy for
someone to request support on
the website as they have split
into many smaller markets so
they can meet the needs of
people all across the US.

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Please do your part by contributing to the ADDA so people with
ADD can lives better lives.
Photos
http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/adhd.html
http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-child-learning-
difficulty-image2591459
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20441463_9,00.html
http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20434639,00.html
http://www.additudemag.com/adhd-help.html
http://childadhdinfo.blogspot.com/2012/05/behavioral-therapy-for-adhd-
children.html
http://www.shireadhdscholarship.com
www.add.org
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-
archive/2010/october/health/adhd/overview/index.htm
http://www.candacesahm.com/adhd-coaching-for-life-sm/
Research
Terrie, Y. C. (2014). Living with ADHD. Pharmacy Times, 80(3), 84-85.
Schipani, D. (2008). thriving with ADHD. Scholastic Parent & Child, 15(8), 68
What Causes ADHD?. (2011). Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior
Letter, 271-2.
Armstrong, T. (1999). ADD/ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom. Alexandria, Va:
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.
Light, L. (1997). ADHD: The classroom epidemic. Vegetarian Times, (241), 71.
Toner, M., O'Donoghue, T., & Houghton, S. (2006). Living in Chaos and Striving
for Control: How adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder deal with
their disorder. International Journal Of Disability, Development & Education, 53(2),
247-261. doi:10.1080/10349120600716190
1998, Peter Jaksa, Ph.D, http://www.add.org/?page=ADHD_Fact_Sheet
Flisher, A. J., & Hawkridge, S. S. (2013). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in
children and adolescents. South African Journal Of Psychiatry, 136-140.
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