John Aspromonte - ADHD: The Ultimate Teen Guide

ADHD

It Happened to Me

Series Editor: Arlene Hirschfelder

Books in the It Happened to Me series are designed for inquisitive teens digging for answers about social issues, certain illnesses, or lifestyle interests. These books feature up-to-date information, relatable teen views, and thoughtful suggestions to help you figure out stuff. Besides special boxes that highlight singular facts, each book is enhanced with the latest reading lists, websites, and other recommendations.

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ADHD

The Ultimate Teen Guide

John Aspromonte

It Happened to Me, No. 58

ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD

Lanham Boulder New York London

Published by Rowman & Littlefield

An imprint of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, Maryland 20706

www.rowman.com

Unit A, Whitacre Mews, 26-34 Stannary Street, London SE11 4AB

Copyright 2019 by The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

All rights reserved . No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote passages in a review.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information Available

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Aspromonte, John, 1977 author.

Title: ADHD : the ultimate teen guide / John Aspromonte.

Description: Lanham : Rowman & Littlefield, [2019] | Series: It happened to me ; no. 58 | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018024321 (print) | LCCN 2018037501 (ebook) | ISBN 9781538100394 (electronic) | ISBN 9781538100387 (cloth : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Attention-deficit disorder in adolescence. | Attention-deficit disorder in adolescenceSocial aspects. | Attention-deficit disorder in adolescenceTreatment. | TeenagersLife skills guides.

Classification: LCC RJ506.H9 (ebook) | LCC RJ506.H9 A87 2019 (print) | DDC 616.85/8900835dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018024321

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

Printed in the United States of America

To everyone who struggles with,

or knows someone who struggles with,

ADHD.

With knowledge, persistence, and a sense of humor,

you can find the key to your success.

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge my wife, Bernadett, who is not only the author of chapter 4 but also the coauthor of my life. Her valuable insights, knowledge, and guidance were an integral part of this book.

I would also like to acknowledge my son, John. I am so proud to be your dad.

To Mom and Jerry, your support is immeasurable.

I would also like to acknowledge the many educators, researchers, and clinicians who have helped me forge my path over the years.

Introduction

W hen I mention the term attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder , what comes to mind? Maybe you think of someone who is always zoning out or someone with boundless energy, or maybe you think of someone who always says whats on his or her mind. Maybe that term makes you think of a person who has a great sense of humor or is very creative. Perhaps you dont even think you know anyone with ADHD. There is a good chance that the term ADHD means different things to different people. Within ADHD is a collection of behaviors that we all may have experienced at one time or another, either in ourselves or in someone else. Did you know that up to 5 percent of schoolchildren in the United States have ADHD? That is a lot of people. As a student, this means that there is a good chance someone in your class has ADHD, maybe even you. ADHD has become a commonly referred-to disorder and a household name, but many people still have questions about what exactly ADHD is and how it can affect us.

True or false: ADHD is a simple problem of being hyperactive and not listening when someone is talking to you. False! ADHD is a complex disorder that involves impairments in focus, organization, motivation, emotion, memory, and other functions of the brains management system. In addition, ADHD can affect schoolwork, social life, family life, and the way you feel about things. Learning the facts about ADHD and busting many of the common myths that people believe are important if you want to understand and live with ADHD successfully.

The purpose of this book is to provide the definition of and information about ADHD and its effect on school, family, and social life. This book is for anyone who wants to learn factual information about ADHD and also hear about the difficulties and successes of other young people who have ADHD. Along the way we will explore what students like you think about ADHD and learn where to go to find information and communities of people who are dedicated to the study of it.

The History of ADHD

A diagnosis is a collection of symptoms, behaviors, or patterns that doctors and scientists agree on. Throughout history people have had inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, but attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder did not get its name until 1987. That year the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual , third edition, was revised and released. Before 1987 ADHD was known as attention deficit disorder (no hyperactivity in the name). Before 1980 it was known as hyperkinetic reaction of childhood . Before 1968 it was known as minimal brain dysfunction and prior to that minimal brain damage . It is important to realize that ADHD has changed over the years and so has our definition.

One way to think about this is if we compare ADHD to a country whose name and borders have changed over the years. Did you know that before Alaska was a US state it was owned by Russia? It was purchased by the United States in 1867 and became a state in 1959. Although Alaska was part of a different country, the natural inhabitants of Alaska still remain the same. Maybe the borders have changed a little but the central core is the same and many still speak the same language. ADHD is similar. Its name and some of the behaviors that define it have changed, but the core symptoms have stayed the same. Some people may think that because the name ADHD did not exist thirty years ago, there was no such thing as ADHD. This would be like saying that there was no such thing as cancer or diabetes before the name existed in medical books. As our understanding of science gets better, so does our understanding of ADHD.