B. Other Health Impairments: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

According to IDEA, Other Health Impairment is defined as:

Other health impairment means having limited strength, vitality or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that:

(i) is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, and sickle cell anemia; and
(ii) adversely affects a child's educational performance [34 C.F.R. 300.7(c)(9)].

Various mental health issues can fall under the “emotional disturbance” category. They may include anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression. (Some of these may also be covered under “other health impairment.”)

ADHD

According to the DSM-5, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a pattern of behavior, present in multiple settings (e.g., school and home), that can result in performance issues in social, educational, or work settings….symptoms are divided into two categories of inattention and hyperactivity and impulsivity that include behaviors like failure to pay close attention to details, difficulty organizing tasks and activities, excessive talking, fidgeting, or an inability to remain seated in appropriate situations.  ADHD may begin in childhood and continue into adulthood. ADHD symptoms, such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattentiveness, can cause problems at home, school, work, or in relationships.  To qualify for a diagnosis, symptoms should occur by age 12 and be present in more than one setting (home and school).  There are three types of ADHD (Understood.org)

• Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation
• These students struggle with impulse control. Typically they don’t have much trouble with inattention.
• This type is identified the most.  It’s often easier to spot signs of this type of ADHD. Kids who have it may struggle to sit still in class and manage their behavior.
•  Kids who have this type of ADHD have symptoms of hyperactivity and feel the need to move constantly. They also struggle with impulse control.  Typically, they don’t have much trouble with inattention.
• Predominantly Inattentive Presentation
• These students are easily distracted and have difficulty paying attention but don’t have much trouble with impulsivity or hyperactivity.  This is sometimes unofficially referred to as attention-deficit disorder (or ADD).
• Kids with this type of ADHD may “fly under the radar” because they may not be disruptive in class. In fact, they may appear shy or “daydreamy.”
• Combined Presentation
• This is the most common type of ADHD. Kids who have it show significant problems with both hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention.

Symptoms of ADHD typically first appear between the ages of 3 and 6.  The average age of ADHD diagnosis is 7 years old.  Today, about 4 percent of American adults over the age of 18 deal with ADHD on a daily basis (ADHD Facts addrc.org).  According to the ADD Resource Center, children living two times below the poverty level have an increased risk of having ADHD; children from primarily English speaking households are at 4x times the risk; males are at 3 times the risk of females.