Associated Problems

There are a number of additional problems associated with ADHD, including

the greater likelihood of ADHD boys exhibiting aggressive and antisocial

behavior. Although many ADHD children do not show any associated

problems, many ADHD children show deficits in both intellectual and behavioral

functioning. For example, a number of studies have found that

ADHD children score an average of seven to fifteen points below other children

on standardized intelligence tests. It may be, however, that this poorer

performance reflects poor test-taking skills or inattention during the test

rather than actual impairment in intellectual functioning. Additionally,

ADHD children tend to have difficulty with academic performance and

scholastic achievement. It is assumed that this poor academic performance

is a result of inattention and impulsiveness in the classroom. When ADHD

children are given medication to control their inattention and impulsiveness,

their academic productivity has been shown to improve.

ADHD children have also been shown to have a high number of associated

emotional and behavioral difficulties. As mentioned earlier, ADHD

boys tend to show higher levels of aggressive and antisocial behavior than

ADHD girls and normal children. Additionally, it is estimated that up to 50

percent of ADHD children have at least one other disorder. Many of these

problems are related to depression and anxiety, although many ADHD children

also have severe problems with temper tantrums, stubbornness, and

defiant behavior. It is also estimated that up to 50 percent of ADHD children

have impaired social relations; that is, they do not get along with other children.

That there are many problems associated with ADHD may be part of

the reason that researchers have been so intrigued by this disorder.

Researchers must understand a disorder before they can attempt to treat

it. There are a variety of theories on the etiology of ADHD, but most researchers

now believe that there are multiple factors that influence its development.

It appears that many children have a biological predisposition

toward ADHD; in other words, they may have a greater likelihood of developing

ADHD as a result of genetic factors. This predisposition is exacerbated

by a variety of factors, such as complications during pregnancy,

neurological disease, exposure to toxins, family adversity, and inconsistent

parental discipline. Although a very popular belief is that food additives or

sugar can cause ADHD, there has been almost no scientific support for

these claims. As so many factors have been found to be associated with the

development of ADHD, it is not surprising that numerous treatments have

been developed for the amelioration of its symptoms. Although numerous

treatment methods have been developed and studied, ADHD remains a difficult