ADHD

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ADHD Autism
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ADHD

• Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity disorder
• Also called ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)
• Types of ADHD
• Symptoms
• Difficulty concentrating
• Not seem to be listening
• Easily distracted
• May be constantly in motion
• May interrupt / be impulsive

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Prevalence

• About 3-7 of school-aged children have been
  diagnosed with ADHD.
• Boy are more likely to be diagnosed
• Almost 10
• Compared to 6 of girls
• CDC.gov

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Diagnosing ADHD

• Six or more symptoms of inattention OR
  hyperactivity-impulsivity present for at least 6
  months AND is disruptive and inappropriate for
  developmental level.
• Some symptoms present before the age of 7
• Some impairment from the symptoms is present in
  two or more settings (school/work or home)
• Clear evidence of significant impairment in
  social or school/work settings.
• The symptoms cannot be attributed to any other
  mental health disorder.
• CDC.gov

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Treating ADHD

• Medication
• Behavioral intervention
• Parental training
• School
• Are we overmedicating our kids?
• http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/medi
  cating/watch/

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Autism
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Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)

• What is ASD?
• Group of developmental disabilities
• Begin before the age of 3
• No known cause
• No medical tests
• No cure
• Multiple symptoms

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Prevalence

• Incidences have increased in the past 20 years.
• From 1998 2007, those 6-21 y/o increased from
  54,064 to 258,305. (cdc.gov)
• May not be accurate though
• In general, 9 per 1,000 children are diagnosed
  with ASD.

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What causes ASD?

• Vaccine Theory
• 1998 Report set off the debate
• Thimerosal and vaccines
• What does current research show?

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Genes and Autism

• http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/0402/04.ht
  ml