Comment: Healthy bodies, healthy minds
Nikos Myttas
pp 3-3
Although paediatric attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is slowly coming to be recognised, the same cannot yet be said of adult ADHD, despite meta-analytic follow-up studies suggesting that approximately 65% of young people suffering from ADHD will continue to display impairment well into their adult lives, with heritability estimates of 0.6–0.95 in child populations – among the highest of all psychiatric conditions.
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Genetic studies in ADHD: promising or disappointing?
Ellen A Fliers
pp 4-6
We know from family, adoption and twin studies, and from our own clinical practice, that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly heritable condition. What is known about the genetics of ADHD to date? This article aims to give an update on genetic studies and new genetic methodologies in this fast-evolving field.
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ADHD in intellectual disability and autism
David Bramble
pp 7-10
It is axiomatic within the field of developmental disabilities that co-morbidity is very much the rule. This is certainly the case for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the contexts of both intellectual disability and autistic spectrum disorder – broad categories that also commonly coexist in clinic populations. It is, therefore, surprising that this association has only attracted systematic attention relatively recently.
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What I tell parents about ADHD diagnosis
Noreen Ryan
pp 11-13
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex condition with a strong genetic and developmental basis. There are physical, cognitive, social, emotional, genetic, environmental and spiritual elements that influence the progress of ADHD, and these factors impact differently on each individual child. Rather than thinking of ADHD as a disability, it may be useful to view those with the condition merely as having a very different learning style from others.
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ADHD-Europe
pp 14-14
In 2005, 19 delegates representing ADHD patient organisations from eight European countries met in Brussels to discuss the possibility of uniting under a pan-European umbrella. Unofficially, this marked the birth of ADHD-Europe.
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Book review: No Fighting, No Biting, No Screaming
James Harrison
pp 15-15
As the title suggests, this is an ambitious book. Hejlskov Elvén states its intention to be a management manual for parents and staff working with those with developmental disabilities, and explains that his methods are equally applicable to people with learning difficulties, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This is not meant to be a psychological textbook, but a practical guide.
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ADHD and developmental co-ordination disorder – some practical strategies
Zara Harris
pp 16-19
This is a follow-up to Ellen Fliers’ article from the Spring 2012 issue, where she spells out the background of developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), including prevalence, causes and clinical implications of combined attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. An up-to-date meta-analysis of the literature and research on DCD can be found online.
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