About ADHD
ADHD is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD may have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors (may act without thinking about what the result will be), or be overly active.
Risk Factors
The causes of ADHD are unknown, but scientists have identified some possible risk factors
Exposure to environmental risks (for example, lead) during pregnancy or at a young age
Parental mental health and family environment
Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy and other pregnancy-related factors
Genes play an important role in a person's risk of ADHD.
Treatment and managing symptoms
In most cases, ADHD is best treated with a combination of behavior therapy and medication. For preschool-aged children (4-5 years of age) with ADHD, behavior therapy, particularly training for parents, is recommended as the first line of treatment before medication is tried. What works best can depend on the child and family. Effective treatment plans will include close monitoring, follow-ups, and making changes, if needed, along the way..
