Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (Coursework Sample)

Case study: Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
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Case study: Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
Identifying information
Jack is a male child aged eight years who come from a Hispanic family living in Trenton, New Jersey. He is the third born in a family of three, and his other two siblings are girls. Jack appears physically fit, and he is more active compared to his sisters and other children in the area. His father is a busy businessman while his mother is a chef in a busy restaurant Trenton. The family is financially well up, but the nature of his parent's work has left them with a very little time to spend with their children. While not in school, Jack spends most of his time with the house help and his sisters at home. While at home, Jack does his things alone and it is only in few circumstances he can be found playing with his siblings. His parents return from work in the evening and most cases they find Jack asleep. His parents rely on house help and teacher's report about the progress of their son
Problem presentation
Jack’s teacher has summoned his parents thrice to discuss his poor attention in class. His teacher reports that Jack is never attentive in class, and his mind seems to be far away from what the class is doing. His teacher also complains that Jack has never completed his assignment on time, and if he manages to complete, his work appears disorganized as compared to that of other children in the class. He sometimes roams from one corner of the classroom to the other while making noise during lesson time. He is quick in hitting any classmate who irritates him, and it is also difficult for him to wait for his turn when they are playing. The house help has also been complaining that she is not able to complete her daily chores while Jack is at home because of his disturbance. She says that if Jack is left alone in the house, he scatters utensils and other light home equipment all over the floor. Her sisters also complain that Jack sometimes intrudes their activities without invitation and when he is questioned he becomes angry, and he can hit somebody with anything in his proximity. His parents used to believe that Jack is the most hardworking of their three children. His parents are now alarmed by his condition and are looking for the way forward to find a solution to their child’s condition.
Case formulation
He has a problem in focusing and sustaining attention in class activities. He can sometimes show a bit of attention in enjoyed activities but his thoughts shifts to other areas after awhile. It is because of inattention that makes it difficult for him to organize and complete his homework on time. He has a problem in waiting for his turn when he is playing and also quick in hitting anybody who frustrates him because of impulsivity. Impulsivity makes it him difficult for him to think before reacting. Jack is also hyperactive, and that is the reason it is hard for him to sit still in the classroom while the lesson is in progress. Because of his hyperactive nature, Jack has a tendency of jumping from one activity to another which has made it difficult for house help to complete her chores when Jack is around. Hyperactive children appear fidgety and restless making it difficult to concentrate on any single activity. This is the cause of jack’s trouble in school and at home. Jack’s problem began when he was barely two years old. He used to move to and fro in the house and used to fall on the staircases as he tried to descend. When seated, he could squirm in his seat or wriggle his feet and would one rarely find him relaxed. His behaviors kept worsening as days passed. Now at the age of eight, his behaviors have reached an alarming level, and his parents have opted to seek professional assistance.
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is suggested to be a genetic disorder of the brain. Brain imaging has shown that brain metabolism in children with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is lower in regions of the brain that control movement, social judgment, and social attention (Biederman, 2005). In the meantime, his parents have devised ways of maintaining his behaviors. Jack’s parent has set up routines for him. This includes setting up the time to wake up and to do homework. Consistent enforcement of rules has made Jack able to adhere to rules given by his parents. His parents are trying their best to make him feel loved so as to prevent him from overreacting. Jack's parents have also been including him in the establishment of rules and consequences that follow breaking those rules.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of Attention deficit hyperactive disorder is done by the child’s doctor with inputs from teachers, parents, other family members and also from other professionals. Based on the DSM-V criteria for ADHD, children up to 16 years should have at least 6 or more symptoms of inattention and must have lasted for at least six months. The diagnosis may include; observing how the child reacts to peers and class authorities. This would involve checking whether he adheres to rules and regulations of the class and also whether he has a tendency of fighting his peers when frustrated. The information about the language he uses and his speech development can be provided by interviewing the house help or his parents. The diagnosis of Jack’s problem can also be done by interviewing him to evaluate his self-awareness about his difficulties and needs. Evaluating his speech articulation and awareness in speech sounds syntax, semantics and other language skills would help to determine whether his speech is consistent. To test jack’s ability to keep memories and connect details, the doctor can evaluate his ability to recite a story without deviating from the topic (Barkley, 2006). The doctor can also assess his planning and organization level to determine how much the problem has affected his planning and organizing abilities. For Jack to be declared to have ADHD, he must also have at least 6 or more symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. These symptoms should include but not limited to; talking excessively, fidgeting or squirming, blurting of answers before the question completed, intruding others’ business, often being "on the go" and also running in situations where it is not appropriate. Also, the following conditions must be met; hyperactive-impulse or inattentive symptoms must be there before the age of twelve years, the symptoms must be present in two or more settings e.g. school, home, or in other activities. There must be evidence that these symptoms interfere with his functioning, and they should not appear only in the course of other psychotic disorders (Millichap, 2010).
Treatment plans
The treatment options for Attention Deficit Hypersensitivity Disorder (ADHD) may include both ps...