Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition that mainly affects behaviour. It's usually diagnosed in children, but can affect adults. Symptoms include persistent restlessness, impulsiveness and/or inattention. The diagnosis is made after a detailed assessment by a healthcare professional.
The prevalence of ADHD is estimated to be around 2.4% of children in the UK. It's most often diagnosed in children aged 3-7 years, but it may not be recognised until later in life and sometimes not until adulthood, and is more commonly diagnosed in boys than in girls.
Young people and adults with ADHD may have associated problems, eg self harm, a predisposition to road traffic (and other) accidents, substance misuse, delinquency, anxiety states and academic underachievement.
ADHD is a part of a spectrum of disorders. 70% also have other conditions, such as generalised or specific learning difficulties (eg dyslexia, language disorders, autistic spectrum disorder, dyspraxia, Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome or tic disorder).
Oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder is present in most children with ADHD. Other associated disorders include mood disorder, anxiety disorder and specific developmental disorders such as dyslexia or dyspraxia.
Below are some services that support children and young people with ADHD.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)
NICE guidelines for ADHD make recommendations for the diagnosis and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, young people and adults. The guidelines don't cover the management of ADHD in children younger than three years. The term 'children' refers to those aged 11 years and younger; 'young people' refers to those between 12 and 18 years.
Royal College of Psychiatrists
One in a series of factsheets for parents, teachers and young people entitled Mental Health and Growing Up, this factsheet looks at ADHD and hyperkinetic disorder, the signs to look for and where to get help.
PatientPlus
PatientPlus articles are written by UK doctors and are based on research evidence, and UK and European guidelines. They're designed for health professionals to use, so you may find the language more technical than the condition leaflets, but they're really informative and follow the process from the beginning, heavily endorsing parenting programmes and strategies to help support children with pre- and post-diagnosis ADHD.
AADD-UK
AADD-UK produces a leaflet that sets out the most common symptoms that present in adults with ADHD.
ADDISS
ADDISS provides an information sheet that gives a description of the symptoms and gives a description of the process for diagnosis of ADHD.
Living with ADHD
This website has been developed to support those whose lives are affected by ADHD (parents/carers and teachers), and also provides resources for children and teenagers themselves to help them understand and manage the condition. This site offers key information, downloadable tools, hints and tips, and useful contact points. It has a sections for teenagers, children and parents and carers.
NHS Choices
The Neuro Assessment and Learning Care Centre
48-50 Springfield Road, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 2PD, tel: 01403 240002. The centre specialises in the multi-professional assessment and management of children, adolescents and adults with complex neurodevelopmental difficulties, particularly ADHD and autistic spectrum difficulties (ASD), in addition to people with specific learning difficulties, Tourette’s syndrome, and other complex difficulties. Check out the therapies page where there’s a section on parent strategies that may be useful.
ADDERS
Our objective is to promote awareness to ADHD and to provide information and as much free practical help as we can to sufferers, both adults and children, and their families in the UK and around the world via this website.
The Hyperactive Children's Support Group
A registered charity which has been successfully helping ADHD and hyperactive children and their families for over 35 years. Its specialism is advocating a dietary approach to the problem of hyperactivity, and it has a great deal of information available about food additives, food intolerance, omega fatty acids, vitamins and minerals and how they can impact on hyperactivity and ADHD. 71 Whyke Lane, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7PD Tel: 01243 539966 For those people wishing to test out the theory that certain foods can affect and even help to modify behaviours there is a link to a food diary and on line support above.
Apps
Sorted: The daily organiser
Made in association with UK physicians and available on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. Download it for free.
How's today been?
Smartphone app that has been developed to help parents and carers of children with ADHD keep track of how their child's day has been. Available on the iPhone and Android.
Apps for kids with ADD/ADHD
ADHD-friendly iPhone apps for adults with ADHD
Find out more from the the website.
Books on ADHD
- Understanding ADHD - Dr Christopher Green is author of the widely acclaimed book `Toddler Taming. This is his latest book and is an excellent guide to ADD in children.
- ADHD – Recognition, Reality and Resolution - Dr Geoffrey Kewley's most informative guide to ADHD, for teachers parents and healthcare professionals, with case studies and lots of practical advice.
- Taking Charge of ADHD - Russell A Barkley. The complete authoritative guide for parents
- 1-2-3 Magic - Thomas W Phelan. Effective Discipline for Children
- Different Kids - Sue Dengate
- You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid, Crazy? - Kate Oelly/Peggy Ramundo
- Green C and Chee K. Understanding ADHD – A Parent’s Guide to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children.
Tools and education for children
Calvin is a six year old boy who is in trouble all the time. He often blames Hobbes for this, and even though Hobbes is his toy tiger, he is very real to Calvin. Together they take part in stories and adventures that children with ADHD can identify with.
A series of comic books that aims to explain medical conditions, including ADHD, to kids. The ADHD book concentrates on the story of Astra and her journey to find out what happens in her body.
Short statements and vignettes. Cory describes what it's like to have ADHD, how it affects his relationships with friends and family, his school performance, and his overall functioning. He also describes many ways of coping with ADHD: medication, therapy/counselling, and practical tips for school, home, and friendships.
We update this information on a regular basis. If you notice any links are broken or information has changed please contact ShropshireFIS@shropshire.gov.uk and we'll update the information.