Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD): adolescents perspective.
Three hundred and eight pupils in the age group 12-18 years were interviewed and examined. They had been diagnosed as having attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities (LD), and were attending a high school devoted to special education. Their classification into subgroups was as follows: ADHD - inattentive (I) = 22.1%, ADHD - hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI) = 12.3% and combined = 42.2%. Only 25% of them were treated by methylphenidate (Ritalin). Ninety-four percent of them were diagnosed with comorbidity of 'learning disabilities'. Thirty-four percent of them reported being severely stressed when going to school and sitting in class. Their complaints were: tiredness and excessive needs to sleep, frequent quarrelling with close friends, feeling different from other classmates and having low self-esteem (SE). They complaint that their parents don't understand them. Things that irritated them the most were being lied to and coercion by others. The authors suggest to consider ADHD/LD as neurobehavioral disability. It is mandatory to prepare them for adult life with proper social skills and a suitable occupation.
Brook
Uzi
U
Department of Pediatrics, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Holon, Israel. brookuzi@post.tau.ac.il
Boaz
Mona
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D004519:Education, Special; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept