COGNITIVE PROCESSING AND LANGUAGE OF CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDERS

I. ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDERS**

A. Definitions/ Facts (CHADD, 2017) http://www.chadd.org/Understanding-

ADHD/About-ADHD.aspx

Approximately 11% of children—ADHD

For ¾ of them, symptoms continue into adulthood

CHADD, 2017:

American Psychiatric AssociationDelineates 3 types of ADHD:**

Primarily inattentive (20-30%)

Primarily hyperactive (less than 15%)

Combination inattentive/hyperactive (50-75%)

Relationship of SLI to ADHD:

Contributing factors…

Researchers are showing that…

Watching TV/screen time before 2 years of age is strongly correlated with attention problems later

Time Children Spend on TV, Video Games, and Computer (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2017)**

Today's children are spending an average of seven hours a day on entertainment media, including televisions, computers, phones and other electronic devices

In 1970, children began to regularly watch TV at 4 years of age, whereas today, children begin interacting with digital media at 4 months of age.

How much time do adults spend watching TV alone?**

• 4 hours and 30 minutes per day

• A new Nielsen Company audience report reveals that adults in the United States devoted about 10 hours and 39 minutes each day to consuming media during the first quarter of this year.

University of Michigan Health System, “Television and children” (www.med.umich.edu)

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**

II. SYMPTOMS** Not diagnosed by standardized tests

—”diagnosis is based on a careful assessment of the behavioral symptoms”

Difficulties coping with everyday life

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:** Cylert

Adderall

Strattera (not a stimulant; may not have much effect)

Ritalin

Concerta (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:**

Civil rights statute that prohibits schools from discriminating against children with disabilities

Eligibility is based on the existence of a physical or mental condition that substantially limits a major life activity

ADHD students qualify for classroom accommodations if they can’t learn under typical circumstances

Remember…

Remember the gifts of ADHD:**

Creativity

Ability 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