Introduction to the Disorder of Attention Deficit Hyperativity

Characterization, Evaluation and Intervention

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that interferes with functioning and personal development, being a set of cognitive and behavioral symptoms, with onset in childhood, manifestation in different settings, and severity can be specified in mild, moderate, or severe symptoms or functional impairment. The diagnostic process that involves the evaluation, seeks to understand the patient’s cognitive functioning, raise diagnostic hypotheses and point out which skills are impaired and/or preserved, thus being able to indicate difficulties or potentialities of cognitive functioning and which are the best referrals for the patient, ADHD have complex forms of presentation and symptomatology, are diverse in nature and have different content and focus, depending on the
patient’s age, which is why interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary treatment is so important in these cases, it is up to the professionals who will follow up to observe whether these strategies are appropriate and how they can create new ways of accomplishing tasks or solving problems that become functional and assertive for the patient. Treatment should target not only symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, but also academic difficulties, impairments in family and social relationships, and psychiatric comorbidities. These approaches are often most effective when used together, depending on the individual needs of the child and family.