Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, otherwise known as ADHD, is a very common brain disorder found predominantly in children but can persist into adulthood (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012). It prevents people from focusing their attention and people also often have problems with their conduct as a result (from hyperactivity to hyperactivity or, impulsivity). Brain imaging studies have revealed that the brain matures normally in youth with ADHD, but is delayed by an average of 3 years. The delay is most profound in the region of the brain that involves planning, thinking and attention. More recent studies have found that the outer layer of the brain shows overall maturation delays and some abnormal growth patterns in brain structure that implicate proper communication (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012). The key behaviors of ADHD are impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. Other symptoms of ADHD include difficulty staying focused on a specific task, paying attention to the task at hand, difficulty controlling behavior and impulses, and hyperactivity. These symptoms can make it very difficult for a child or adult with ADHD to succeed in school, get along with others, or complete tasks at home or in the workplace (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2012) . It is normal for a child to be hyperactive, inattentive and impulsive at times, but for children with ADHD it is much more severe and occurs more often than for the average child. The highlighted symptoms are not the only thing a person needs to be concerned about when receiving a diagnosis of ADHD. There are coexisting conditions and other problems that can be a ... middle of paper ... deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Retrieved from MayoClinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/basics/definition/CON-20023647?DSECTION=all&p=1Robert, L. (2013, September). ADHD treatment guided by parental preferences. Retrieved from Psychiatric Times: http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/adhd/adhd-treatment-driven-parents'-preferencesU.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2012). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. (NIMH) Retrieved from National Institutes of Mental Health: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/index.shtmlVisser, S.N., Blumberg, S., Danielson, M. , Bitsko, R., & Kogan, M. (203, January). Demographic and state-based variation in parent-reported medication rates for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, 2007–2008. CDC: Prevention of chronic diseases .