Overview

This charity provides people-friendly information and resources about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to anyone who needs assistance – parents, sufferers, teachers or health professionals. Whatever you’re looking for about ADHD  they will do their best to help. Their website contains just a fraction of the information that they have on ADHD. If you would like to know more, visit the Bookstore. It has a wide range of resources about all aspects of ADHD and associated conditions, with special sections for parents, children, teenagers and professionals.

The best description for Attention Defecit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is that a child who suffers from this condition shows disruptive behaviours, which cannot be explained by any other psychiatric condition and are not in keeping with those of the same-aged people with similar intelligence and development. These behaviours are usually first noticed in early childhood, and they are more extreme than simple “misbehaving”. Children with ADHD have difficulty focussing their attention to complete a specific task. Additionally they can be hyperactive and impulsive and can suffer from mood swings and “social clumsiness”.

Although people with ADHD can be very successful in life, without identification and proper treatment, ADHD may have serious consequences, which can include: –

Under-performance at school
Depression
Problems with relationships
Problems finding and keeping a job
Criminal behaviour

Early identification by a healthcare professional is therefore very important to ensure that the child can fulfil his/her full potential.

Children with ADHD tend to display the following behaviours:

Hyperactivity
Impulsive behaviour
Inattention
Social clumsiness
Poor coordination
Disorganisation
Mood swings
Specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, language problems, difficulties with handwriting/written work

In people with ADHD, behavioural problems are seen in several places i.e. not just at school. Some children with ADHD have significant problems with concentration and attention but are not necessarily overactive or impulsive.

The ADDISS provides information about ADHD and its diagnosis. It also organises conferences and training, runs a bookstore and co-ordinates a network of support groups.  There is one in Kingston-upon-Thames and two in South London – see website.