4.1 Define and use in context, or recognise, definitions and applications of each of the terms in bold in the text and defined in the glossary (KU1, KU2, KU3, KU4).
4.2 Describe key characteristics of ADHD and how they are used in the diagnosis of ADHD (KU3).
4.3 Outline patterns of prevalence of ADHD, including the reasons for worldwide, cultural and gender disparities (KU1, KU3, CS2, CS3).
4.4 Outline key ideas about the causes of/risk factors for ADHD, including genetic, neurobiological and environmental factors (KU2, KU3, CS1).
4.5 Describe the main theories for a neurological basis of ADHD (KU2).
4.6 Outline key approaches to managing ADHD, including the evidence for the effectiveness of these management approaches (KU3, KU4, CS2, KS1).
Week 1 Understanding life with ADHD
1.1 Characteristics and prevalence of ADHD
In Topic 3, autism was defined as a neurodevelopmental condition.
What is meant by a neurodevelopmental condition?
It is a condition stemming from atypical early development of the nervous system due to the interaction of genetic, neurobiological and environmental influences.
ADHD is also considered to be a neurodevelopmental condition.
In the case of ADHD this atypical development results in persistent and developmentally inappropriate levels of:
inattention
hyperactivity
impulsivity.
(APA, 2000)
Of course, individuals without ADHD can still be inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive to some degree but with ADHD, as with autism, these behaviours are persistent and represent a divergence from typical cognitive milestones.
Prevalence data indicate that ADHD is the most common of the neurodevelopmental conditions (Hansen et al., 2018).
