scholarly journals Parents’ Experiences of Weighted Blankets’ Impact on Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Sleep Problems—A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 12959
Author(s):  
Ingrid Larsson ◽  
Katarina Aili ◽  
Jens M. Nygren ◽  
Håkan Jarbin ◽  
Petra Svedberg
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sleep Onset Latency ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Parents Experiences

Sleep disturbances are common among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While pharmacological treatment has increased dramatically, parents often prefer non-pharmacological interventions. Research on experiences of weighted blankets and their effect in sleep improvement is scarce. The aim of this study was to explore parents’ experiences of weighted blankets for children with ADHD and sleep problems, and the impact on their children’s sleep. The explorative design was based on qualitative content analysis. Interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 24 parents of children with ADHD and sleep problems, after completing a sleep intervention with weighted blankets for 16 weeks. Parents reported that children sleeping with weighted blankets: (1) achieved satisfactory sleep, including improved sleep onset latency, sleep continuity, and sleep routines; (2) achieved overall well-being, including improved relaxation and reduced anxiety; and (3) mastered everyday life, including improved balance in life, family function, and participation in school and leisure activities. This study brings forward novel aspects of the effects of improved sleep among children with ADHD. The findings contribute to the understanding of potential positive effects of an intervention with weighted blankets critical for clinical practice to improve sleep, well-being, and everyday life of children with ADHD and their families.

The Impact of Copper in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-283
Author(s):  
Mihail Silviu Tudosie ◽  
Elena Truta ◽  
Ana Maria Davitoiu ◽  
Luminita Stanciulescu ◽  
George Jinescu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Copper Concentration ◽  
Graphite Furnace ◽  
Urine Samples ◽  
Health State ◽  
Adhd Symptoms ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
The Impact

During one year (september 2013 � september 2014), 50 children from the residential institution for children SOS Satele Copiilor Bucharest, where included in our research. The children were distributed in two groups: Group A which consisted of 25 children (12 girls, 13 boys) who were not diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Group B which consisted of 25 children (14 boys, 11 girls) who were diagnosed with ADHD. Initially, the two groups were subjected at a psycho-diagnostic battery of tests, one of them being the Evaluating the Health State of children with ADHD questionnaire elaborated by us, particularly for this research, with the purpose of highlighting the direct link between the children health state and their ADHD symptoms. This study sought to determine the concentration of copper in urine samples from a group of children with ADHD and a group of normal children, to highlight the role of copper in the development of ADHD symptoms. Levels of copper concentration in urine samples from the two groups were processed by Student�s t-Test. Statistical analysis showed that the arithmetic averages of copper concentration in urine samples, of the two groups do not differ significantly, so copper may be causing ADHD symptoms occur. The copper content in urine samples has been determined using atomic absorption spectrometry with graphite furnace.

scholarly journals PARENTAL PERCEPTIONS OF MEDICATION IMPACT ON BEHAVIOUR AND LEARNING IN CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION/DEFICIT-HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. e35-e35
Author(s):  
Jean-Francois Lemay ◽  
Julie-Anne Lemay ◽  
Hanna Kubas
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Parental Perceptions ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Stimulant Medications ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that often negatively impacts behaviour, cognition, and learning. Stimulant medications are the most commonly used treatment for ADHD, with informant reports (e.g., parent questionnaires, surveys) frequently used to evaluate medication impact on behavioural and academic functioning in affected children. OBJECTIVES To determine parental perceptions of medication impact on behaviour and learning in a long-acting methylphenidate (LA-MPH) trial of their children with ADHD. DESIGN/METHODS A randomized controlled LA-MPH medication trial was conducted with children ages 8–12 with a diagnosis of ADHD. Trial began with one-week of baseline assessment, followed by a randomized three-week standard of care medication trial, and a one-week best dose assessment. Following the conclusion of the study (6 months to 2 years’ range post-treatment), families were asked to participate in a voluntary follow-up phone survey to evaluate parental perceptions on child’s behaviour and learning. RESULTS A total of 34/42 (81%) families participated (male to female ratio: 2.1/1). At the time of the follow-up survey, 53% (18/34) and 68% (23/34) of patients were having “difficulty” or “significant difficulty” with their behaviour and learning, respectively. Twenty-three patients (68%) were still on psycho-stimulant medications. Although parents of those 23 children said LA-MPH had in general “significant” or “very significant” impact on their child’s behaviour (87%) and learning (79%), these parents were still reporting challenges with behaviour (52%) and learning (61%) at follow-up. In addition, parents of children not on medication said that their current child’s behaviour and learning was still having the same or more challenging issues (82% and 73% respectively). CONCLUSION Overall, parents reported that medication significantly impacted their child’s behaviour and learning; however, long-term medication impact appears less effective. Thus, an ongoing relationship with families and paediatricians is recommended to better understand the impact of medication on behaviour and learning. Evaluating the effects of medication on behaviour and learning may ultimately lead to targeted intervention that help foster long-term treatment efficacy for children with ADHD.

scholarly journals Physical Health, Media Use, and Mental Health in Children and Adolescents With ADHD During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia

2020 ◽  
pp. 108705472097854
Author(s):  
Emma Sciberras ◽  
Pooja Patel ◽  
Mark A. Stokes ◽  
David Coghill ◽  
Christel M. Middeldorp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Depressed Mood ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Family Time ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
The Impact

Objective: To examine the impact of COVID-19 restrictions among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: Parents of 213 Australian children (5–17 years) with ADHD completed a survey in May 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions were in place (i.e., requiring citizens to stay at home except for essential reasons). Results: Compared to pre-pandemic, children had less exercise (Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.4; 95% CI 0.3–0.6), less outdoor time (OR = 0.4; 95% 0.3–0.6), and less enjoyment in activities (OR = 6.5; 95% CI 4.0–10.4), while television (OR = 4.0; 95% CI 2.5–6.5), social media (OR = 2.4; 95% CI 1.3–4.5), gaming (OR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.3–3.0), sad/depressed mood (OR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.2–2.8), and loneliness (OR = 3.6; 95% CI 2.3–5.5) were increased. Child stress about COVID-19 restrictions was associated with poorer functioning across most domains. Most parents (64%) reported positive changes for their child including more family time. Conclusions: COVID-19 restrictions were associated with both negative and positive impacts among children with ADHD.

Service use in children aged 6–8 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

2015 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryl Efron ◽  
Olga Moisuc ◽  
Vicki McKenzie ◽  
Emma Sciberras
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Professional Services ◽  
Professional Service ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Impact

ObjectiveThis study investigated prevalence, types and predictors of professional service use in families of children identified with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the community.DesignSetting: children with ADHD were identified through 43 schools using parent and teacher screening questionnaires (Conners 3 ADHD Index) followed by case confirmation using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children Version IV. Parents completed a survey about professional service use in the last 12 months. Main outcome measures: data on variables potentially associated with service use were collected from parents (interview and questionnaires), teachers (questionnaires) and children (direct assessment). Logistic regression was used to examine predictors of service use in univariate and multivariable analyses.ResultsThe sample comprised 179 children aged 6–8 years with ADHD. Over one-third (37%) had not received professional services in the last 12 months. The strongest predictors of service use were older child age (adjusted OR=3.0, 95% CI 1.0 to 8.9, p=0.05), and the degree to which the child's behaviour impacted on the family (adjusted OR=2.0, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.3, p=0.007), after controlling for ADHD subtype and severity, externalising comorbidities, academic achievement and parent-reported impairment.ConclusionsA substantial proportion of children with ADHD are not accessing professional services. Our findings suggest that the child's age and the impact of the child's behaviour on the family are the strongest predictors of service use. Given the demonstrated benefits from various interventions in ADHD, there is a need to improve case identification and referral for services.

scholarly journals Language Impairment in the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Context

2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean M. Redmond
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
Language Impairments ◽  
Nonword Repetition ◽  
Parent Ratings ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Comorbid Adhd ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a ubiquitous designation that affects the identification, assessment, treatment, and study of pediatric language impairments (LIs). Method Current literature is reviewed in 4 areas: (a) the capacity of psycholinguistic, neuropsychological, and socioemotional behavioral indices to differentiate cases of LI from ADHD; (b) the impact of co-occurring ADHD on children's LI; (c) cross-etiology comparisons of the nonlinguistic abilities of children with ADHD and specific LI (SLI); and (d) the extent to which ADHD contributes to educational and health disparities among individuals with LI. Results Evidence is presented demonstrating the value of using adjusted parent ratings of ADHD symptoms and targeted assessments of children's tense marking, nonword repetition, and sentence recall for differential diagnosis and the identification of comorbidity. Reports suggest that the presence of ADHD does not aggravate children's LI. The potential value of cross-etiology comparisons testing the necessity and sufficiency of proposed nonlinguistic contributors to the etiology of SLI is demonstrated through key studies. Reports suggest that children with comorbid ADHD+LI receive speech-language services at a higher rate than children with SLI. Conclusion The ADHD context is multifaceted and provides the management and study of LI with both opportunities and obstacles.

ADHD in Adults — A Familiar Disease with Unfamiliar Challenges

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (S23) ◽  
pp. 14-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen V. Faraone
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Income Loss ◽  
Advanced Degrees ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Important Marker

What exactly is known today about the impact of the adult form of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in society?:In a recent study to examine the societal impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 500 patients diagnosed with ADHD and 501 participants with no substantial signs or symptoms of ADHD were studied. Subjects were asked several questions about their quality of life, employment, job satisfaction, and other aspects of their well-being and functionality. Income, which is an important marker for the degree of productivity for an individual in society, was also assessed. ADHD can profoundly affect the performance of individuals in the workplace (Slide 1), and this study found that having ADHD reduced an individual's income by an average of ∼$10,000 per year. If that loss of income is extrapolated to all adults in the United States who have ADHD, it suggests that the economy is losing around $70 billion a year to $115 billion a year in productivity, as measured by loss of income. The range was broad because different models with varying assumptions were applied to project income loss over time. Nevertheless, based on these numbers, it is reasonable to estimate that the population is losing ∼$100 billion annually in productivity due to ADHD.Income loss was found at all levels of education, but it was greatest among patients who had advanced degrees of education; so it seems that the disease may have a more pronounced impact on income among those in the higher income brackets.

scholarly journals The Impact of an Adapted Climbing Program on Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 60-69
Author(s):  
Erin Angelini ◽  
Kathryn N Oriel ◽  
Greta M Myers ◽  
Kyle D.A. Cook ◽  
Ross M Drawbaugh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Route Planning ◽  
Rock Climbing ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Parent Rating ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
The Impact

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder impacts children’s participation in activities that require attention to instruction, sustained mental effort, and executive functioning. Physical activity has been correlated to improvement in attention in children with ADHD. Rock climbing challenges muscular endurance, attention, and route planning. Five participants, aged 8-13, participated in the climbing program. Attention was measured pre and post climbing intervention with Trail Making Test B (TMT-B) for time to complete. Exercise intensity was measured by heart rate. Parent feedback on behavior was collected with the Conner’s Parent Rating Scale (CPRS). The social validity of the intervention was measured by the IRP-15 measures. Statistically, significant intrasession attention improvements were noted in all 5 climbers (p=.43). Two climbers were consistently working at a moderate intensity (40-60% HRmax) while 3 climbers maintained a light level of intensity (20-40% HRmax). No statistically significant improvements were found on the CPRS, although improvements are noted with qualitative reports from parents. The IRP-15 showed 100% of parents believed rock climbing was an effective intervention for their children with ADHD. Rock climbing at a light to moderate intensity is associated with improvements in attention and behavior in children with ADHD.

scholarly journals Mothers’ Perspectives on the Play of Their Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Zainab A. Jasem ◽  
Susan M. Delport
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Video Games ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Adhd Symptoms ◽  
Daily Experience ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Background. Play, which is fundamental to children’s lives, can be utilised to enrich their daily experience. However, the available knowledge regarding the impact of play on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is limited. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating mothers’ perspectives on their children with ADHD in Kuwait regarding their play preferences, the impact of play on ADHD behaviours, and the strategies used to regulate their children’s ADHD symptoms. Methods. Eight mothers of children aged five to ten years old with ADHD were recruited via purposive sampling. Their perspectives were qualitatively explored through one-week diaries of their children’s routines followed by semistructured interviews. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results. Four themes emerged: (1) play characteristics for children with ADHD, (2) play preferences, (3) play settings and their impact on ADHD symptoms, and (4) mothers’ values, understanding, and influence on play. Children were found to spend most of their playtime in indoor settings, largely playing video games. The mothers acknowledged the positive influence on their children of outdoor play and the deleterious effect of video games. However, they undervalued the contribution of play to their children’s development. Their strategies for regulating the types of play that diminish their children’s ADHD behaviours were less well understood. The weather and mothers’ other responsibilities were the main barriers. Conclusions. Understanding the play of children with ADHD revealed the requirement for more opportunities for different types of play, with more consideration of those that positively manage ADHD behaviours.

scholarly journals Increased Alopecia Areata Risk in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and the Impact of Methylphenidate Use: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1286
Author(s):  
Hsing-Ying Ho ◽  
Chih-Kai Wong ◽  
Szu-Yuan Wu ◽  
Ray C. Hsiao ◽  
Yi-Lung Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Alopecia Areata ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Health Database ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
The Impact

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that causes sudden hair loss. Although few studies have reported the association between AA and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the impact of methylphenidate (MPH) on AA has not been examined. This study examined whether AA risk is higher in children with ADHD than in those without ADHD as well as the impact of MPH use on AA risk in children with ADHD. From the Taiwan Maternal and Child Health Database, we enrolled all 1,750,456 newborns from 2004 to 2017 in Taiwan. Of them, 90,016 children received a diagnosis of ADHD whereas the remaining 1,660,440 did not. To compare AA risk in ADHD and the impact of MPH treatment on it, multiple Cox regression with adjustments for covariates (i.e., age, sex, and psychiatric comorbidities) was performed. The results indicated that 88 (0.098%) children with ADHD and 1191 (0.072%) children without ADHD had AA. Nevertheless, after adjustment for the covariates, AA risk was higher in children with ADHD than in those without ADHD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.64). Our data indicated a considerable reduction in AA risk (aHR: 0.64) among children with ADHD who received MPH than among those who did not receive MPH; however, this difference was nonsignificant, indicated by a wide 95% CI (0.32–1.25). In conclusion, ADHD and AA may share some underlying mechanisms.

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