ABSTRACT
Historically, the disorder has appeared under a number of different guises, including: hyperkinesis, hyperkinetic syndrome, minimal brain dysfunction (MBD), attention deficit disorder, with hyperactivity (ADHD) or without hyperactivity (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and currently, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), although the latter designation is often simplified to ADHD in the literature. The core symptoms of ADHD emerge within different developmental time frames. While hyperactivity—impulsivity may be evident as early as 3 years of age, problems of inattention may not be recognizable until the child is engaged in formal schooling. ADHD is a highly comorbid disorder and is often accompanied by another disorder. As a neurodevelopmental disorder, the etiology of ADHD can best be understood from Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory. Two of the most popular ADHD self-rating scales for youth are the Brown ADD Scales for Adolescents and the Conners-Wells Adolescent Self-Report Scale. Treatment alternatives for ADHD will vary depending upon associated targets, symptoms and nature and extent of functional impairment.
