COGNITIVE PROCESSING AND LANGUAGE OF CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDERS

I. ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDERS** nA. Definitions/ Facts n3-5% of school age children have been diagnosed with ADHD in the U.S. n--Due to a combination of factors—genetics, dopamine imbalance, insufficiency of neurotransmitters

American Psychiatric Association Delineates 3 types of ADHD:** nPrimarily inattentive (20-30%) nPrimarily hyperactive (less than 15%) nCombination inattentive/hyperactive (50-75%)

Relationship of SLI to ADHD:

Contributing factors…

Researchers are showing that…

Time Children 8 to 18 years old Spend on TV, Video Games, and Computer** 7 hours and 38 minutes a day That is 53 hours per week, more than a full- time job

How Much Time When Cell Phone Use is Included?** Including multitasking with music and cell phone use, how much time do you think kids spend total per day? 10 hours and 45 minutes per day ↑ 2 hours and 15 minutes since 2004

How much time do adults spend watching TV alone?** 4 hours and 30 minutes per day

University of Michigan Health System, “Television and children” (

Computer Use and Executive Functioning (Recent research Morris; Westby)

Playing computer games can impair the development of the frontal lobe, the part of the brain that inhibits anti-social behavior**

Difficult to think, plan, and reflect when exposed to a great deal of screen time in childhood Students and parents--unplug and get moving!

II. SYMPTOMS** nNot diagnosed by standardized tests— ”diagnosis is based on a careful assessment of the behavioral symptoms” nDifficulties coping with everyday life

Owens, Farinella, & Metz (2015)

Youtube How to Recognize ADHD Symptoms in Children

Specific Behaviors may Include:

III. POSSIBLE SPEECH-LANGUAGE CHARACTERISTICS

IV. MANAGEMENT OF ADHD

Popular current medications include:** nCylert nAdderall nStrattera (not a stimulant; may not have much effect) nRitalin nConcerta (time released—take one pill in the A.M., and lasts all day)

V. IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERVENTION

Kowalski ASHA Schools Conference

Kowalski:

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973:** nCivil rights statute that prohibits schools from discriminating against children with disabilities nEligibility is based on the existence of a physical or mental condition that substantially limits a major life activity nADHD students qualify for classroom accommodations if they can’t learn under typical circumstances

Remember…

Remember the gifts of ADHD:** nCreativity nAbility to think outside the box

Support for individuals with ADHD:**

**Power Point Outline I. Attention Deficit Disorders II. Symptoms III. Possible Speech-Language Characteristics IV. Management of ADHD V. Implications for Intervention