Glossary
Glossary of Terms
Here’s a glossary of terms related to ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder):
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD): A former term used to describe a subtype of ADHD characterized by difficulty focusing without the hyperactivity component.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can impact daily functioning.
- Inattention: A core symptom of ADHD involving difficulty sustaining attention, organizing tasks, following through on instructions, and avoiding distractions.
- Hyperactivity: A core symptom of ADHD characterized by excessive motor activity, restlessness, fidgeting, or difficulty staying seated in situations where it’s expected.
- Impulsivity: A core symptom of ADHD involving acting without thinking, interrupting others, blurting out answers, or difficulty waiting for turns.
- Executive Functioning: The mental processes that help us manage time, pay attention, plan and organize, remember details, and regulate behavior.
- Working Memory: The ability to hold information in mind temporarily while working with it, allowing for problem-solving, reasoning, and comprehension.
- Cognitive Flexibility: The ability to adapt to changing situations and think about multiple concepts simultaneously.
- Stimulant Medication: Commonly prescribed medications for ADHD that increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, helping to improve attention and focus.
- Non-Stimulant Medication: Medications for ADHD that work differently from stimulants, often used when stimulants aren’t effective or are not preferred.
- Behavioral Therapy: A type of therapy for ADHD that focuses on changing specific behaviors, often using techniques such as positive reinforcement and skill-building.
- 504 Plan: A plan developed in the United States under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that students with disabilities receive accommodations to support their learning.
- Individualized Education Program (IEP): A personalized plan developed for students with disabilities in the United States that outlines their educational goals and the services and support they will receive.
- Impairment: The functional limitations or difficulties that ADHD symptoms can cause in various areas of life, such as school, work, relationships, and daily activities.
- Comorbidity: The presence of two or more disorders or conditions in the same person, such as ADHD and anxiety disorders.
- Neurodevelopmental Disorder: A group of disorders characterized by impairments in the growth and development of the brain or central nervous system.
- Dopamine: A neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a role in reward-motivated behavior, motor control, and attention.
- Norepinephrine: A neurotransmitter that plays a role in arousal, attention, and stress response.
- Frontal Lobe: The part of the brain involved in executive functions, including attention, impulse control, and decision-making.
- Neurodiversity: The concept that neurological differences, including ADHD, are natural variations of the human brain and should be accepted and respected.
- Hyperfocus: A state of intense concentration on an activity or task, often seen in people with ADHD.
- Rejection Sensitivity: A heightened sensitivity to perceived criticism or rejection, often experienced by individuals with ADHD.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A type of therapy that focuses on changing negative patterns of thinking and behavior to improve emotional regulation and coping skills.
- Dysregulation: Difficulty regulating emotions, behavior, or physiological responses, often seen in ADHD.
- Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD): A condition where the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses, often co-occurring with ADHD.