Part 1

• A History of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): Understanding the Role of Attention in Behavior.

• Attention: How the Prefrontal Cortex Regulates Emotions, Inhibits Impulses, and Controls Executive Functions.

• The Real Nature of ADHD: Anatomical and Biochemical Changes in a Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

• Neurons and the Tale of the Neurotransmitters: The Role of Dopamine and Norepinephrine in ADHD.

• Diagnosing ADHD: The DSM-5 Criteria, Clinical Presentations of ADHD. Is ADHD Over-Diagnosed?

• Is There an Upside of ADHD? Famous and Successful People with ADHD. Would Thomas Edison be on Ritalin (Methylphenidate) Today?

• Up for Debate: Is ADHD a Mental Disorder? Defining the Terms.

• Potential for Chaos: Comorbid Conditions in Patients with ADHD.

• Sex and Gender Differences in ADHD. Do They Exist? Are They Important?

• The Development and Course of ADHD: From Childhood to Adolescence to Adulthood.

• Consequences of ADHD: Health, School, Work, Relationships, Crime, and Suicide.

Part 2

• Creativity and ADHD: Potential Benefits of Divergent Thinking.

• The Complex Causes of ADHD: Is It Largely a Genetic Disorder?

• Additional Known Risk Factors: Low Birth Weight, Seizures, Brain Injuries, and Stress in Pregnancy.

• Fact vs. Fiction: The Role of Food Additives, Dyes, Artificial Sweeteners, Food Allergies in ADHD.

• The Feingold Diet: Can It Modify Symptoms of ADHD? Elimination Diets.

• ADHD and Parenting Practices: Parent Training, Behavior Therapy, Outdoor Exercise, Structured Routines, and School Classroom Management.

• Unintended Consequences During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Deleterious Effects of School Closings and Lockdowns on Children, Teens, and Adults with ADHD.

• Sleep Disruption and ADHD: How Sleep Deficits Exacerbate Symptoms of ADHD. Practical Strategies to Improve Sleep.

• Prescription Medications for ADHD: FDA-Approved Stimulants and Non-Stimulant Medications.

• ADHD and Non-FDA-Approved Treatments: Modafinil, Antidepressants, Clonidine, and Guanfacine.

• Caffeine and ADHD: Can a Cup of Coffee Help?

 ** Syllabus file will be added to your cart with this item.

 Learning Objectives

1. describe the effects of ADHD on attention, emotional control, impulse control, and executive functions.

2. describe the clinical presentations of ADHD and current diagnostic criteria.

3. discuss the genetic, developmental, neurologic and environmental causes of ADHD.

4. describe the development, symptoms, and impact of ADHD as they relate to children, adolescents, and adults.

5. identify effective ADHD treatments focused on behavior management, diet, exercise, and sleep.

6. discuss the stimulant and non-stimulant medications for ADHD and their effectiveness.

7. discuss how the recent empirical research in this course can be translated to clinical practices to improve patient care and outcome.

8. describe, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, pharmacy, nursing, occupational, physical therapy and other healthcare professions.