Children with Disabilities

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a neurobehavioral disorder that frequently affects children, often continues through the teenage years and into adulthood. Up to this point, research has not been able to uncover the cause of the disorder. Someone affected by ADHD is chronically unable to pay attention and also displays a significant amount of hyperactivity so difficult to manage that it impacts their ability to function on a day-to-day basis.

For a child to receive an ADHD diagnosis, their symptoms must be higher than average for that particular developmental stage, and their actions must hinder their ability to behave in certain settings (e.g., classroom, home). A child afflicted with ADHD may have trouble with the social aspects of life such as relationships with friends and family, in addition to the educational aspect in terms of academic performance.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, an estimated three to seven percent of kids have ADHD, and boys are about three times more likely to be labeled with the disorder than girls. Up to 50 percent of children have ADHD in combination with other psychological disorders, making it more difficult to identify and care for ADHD. These added disorders can pose even greater challenges to an ADHD patient.

Medical professionals refer to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) for information that can help them assess a child with ADHD-like symptoms. Using a single piece of literature ensures that there is a standard across the board for diagnosing and treating ADHD. ADHD is treated with medical and/or behavioral therapy.

If you have a son or daughter with ADHD, you may be entitled to receive compensation. Get in touch with a Florida social security disability lawyer to find out how.