3 ARTICLES ON THE LATEST BRAIN RESEARCH REGARDING ADHD
ARTICLE #1
TITLE
ADHD: A Beginner’s Guide
DESCRIPTION
This is a very readable article in an unusual place for this type of problem: Forbes Magazine. It is written by a psychiatrist practitioner who has experience both diagnosing and treating children with ADD and ADHD. The author, in clear language, explains how the symptoms manifest and fit with the DSM classification. The treatment section touts medications and gives some lip service to non-medical therapies but focuses on the medical model. Overall, the article is very well written and can provide a good resource for understanding the condition.
SOURCE
Forbes, February 15, 2017, by Alan Ravitz, MD
LINK TO RESOURCE
https://www.forbes.com/sites/noodleeducation/2017/02/15/adhd-a-beginners-guide/#d5f1d1f45406
(Tiny URL) https://tinyurl.com/jttvqqn
ARTICLE #2
TITLE
Study Finds Brains of ADHD Sufferers Are Smaller
DESCRIPTION
This article focuses on brain physiology of those diagnosed with ADHD. The article presents a brief video and a number of photos of brain areas, hence it is helpful to the understanding of the condition by way of neuropsychology. “The study, which was published in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry and stands as the biggest review of the brains of people with ADHD to date, suggested that the disorder is due to “structural differences” in the brain and is not simply an excuse for antisocial behavior.” Students interested in this condition from the biological perspective will find that the video is helpful in showing the use of technology to study the condition.
SOURCE
Newsweek, February 16, 2017, by Conor Gaffey
LINK TO RESOURCE
(Tiny URL) https://tinyurl.com/zvqg7mv
ARTICLE #3
TITLE
Why ADHD Isn’t Due to Bad Parenting
DESCRIPTION
This story, like the previous, focuses on the Lancet study that found that the brain of those with ADHD is smaller and/or may mature more slowly. Additionally, this article also focuses on other aspects of the findings such as “…researchers also found two new regions that were smaller in people with ADHD than in controls: the amygdala and the hippocampus. These areas are primarily involved in processing emotions and shed new light on some of the non-thinking aspects of ADHD.” The biological perspective on ADHD may pave the way for new and better treatments beyond just the use of the current medications. The title, which is somewhat misleading, should be interpreted that the causes of the ADHD condition lean to the biological rather than environmental. However, management of the child is certainly based on environmental therapies.
SOURCE
Time, February 21, 2017, by Alice Park
LINK TO RESOURCE
http://time.com/4671981/adhd-hyperactivity-disorder/
(Tiny URL) https://tinyurl.com/hx3djkf
CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
•What is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD)?
•What is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)?
•How do these disorders differ?
•What is the usual medical treatment? What are the usual Psychological and Social environment therapies?
•What the are the findings of the brain studies on ADHD? What are the implications regarding treatment and parenting?
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