ADHD
ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder that is typically diagnosed during childhood. Although many people (children in particular) display the predominant characteristics of this disorder – inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity – individuals with ADHD have more severe and recurrent symptoms that impair their daily lives. Recently, there has been lot of controversy <http://www.healthcentral.com/adhd/c/1443/150680/controversy-diagnosis?ic=2602> over how and when ADHD should be diagnosed.
 
Based on IMS Health data and discussion at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pediatric Advisory Committee in September 2012, it has been noted that there is off-label use of Vyvanse® (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) in children under 5 years old (4%, or approximately 100,000 patients between February 2007 and March 2012). The lack of controlled data regarding the safety and efficacy of Vyvanse® in the preschool ADHD population, in concert with the prevalence of off-label prescribing of Vyvanse® supports the need for Vyvanse® studies in the preschool ADHD population. Importantly, it is not known if the therapeutic effects of stimulant medications in school age children with ADHD can be extrapolated to preschool children with ADHD.   

Common Characteristics of ADHD

• Inattentive, but not hyperactive or impulsive.
• Hyperactive and impulsive, but able to pay attention.
• Inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive (the most common form of ADD/ADHD).

ADHD STUDY
Who is eligible to participate in this study?
To pre-qualify, your child must be:
• 4 to 5 years of age
• Diagnosed with ADHD.
​
All study related visits, tests, and study
medication will be provided to participants
at no cost. In addition, reimbursement for
study related travel may be provided.

Inattentiveness signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD
It isn’t that children with ADD/ADHD can’t pay attention: when they’re doing things they enjoy or hearing about topics in which they’re interested, they have no trouble focusing and staying on task. But when the task is repetitive or boring, they quickly tune out.

Staying on track is another common problem. Children with ADD/ADHD often bounce from task to task without completing any of them, or skip necessary steps in procedures. Organizing their schoolwork and their time is harder for them than it is for most children.

Kids with ADD/ADHD also have trouble concentrating if there are things going on around them; they usually need a calm, quiet environment in order to stay focused.

Symptoms of inattention in children:

• Doesn’t pay attention to details
• Makes careless mistakes
• Has trouble staying focused; is easily distracted
• Appears not to listen when spoken to
• Has difficulty remembering things and following instructions
• Has trouble staying organized, planning ahead, and finishing projects
• Gets bored with a task before it’s completed
• Frequently loses or misplaces homework, books, toys, or other items

 
Hyperactivity signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD
The most obvious sign of ADD/ADHD is hyperactivity. While many children are naturally quite active, kids with hyperactive symptoms of attention deficit disorder are always moving. They may try to do several things at once, bouncing around from one activity to the next. Even when forced to sit still which can be very difficult for them their foot is tapping, their leg is shaking, or their fingers are drumming.


Symptoms of inattention in children:

• Constantly fidgets and squirms
• Often leaves his or her seat in situations where sitting quietly is expected
• Moves around constantly, often runs or climbs inappropriately
• Talks excessively
• Has difficulty playing quietly or relaxing
• Is always “on the go,” as if driven by a motor
• May have a quick temper or a “short fuse”

 
Impulsive signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD
The impulsivity of children with ADD/ADHD can cause problems with self-control. Because they censor themselves less than other kids do, they’ll interrupt conversations, invade other people’s space, ask irrelevant questions in class, make tactless observations, and ask overly personal questions.

Instructions like “Be patient” and “Just wait a little while" are twice as hard for children with ADD/ADHD to follow as they are for other youngsters. Children with impulsive signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD also tend to be moody and to overreact emotionally. As a result, others may start to view the child as disrespectful, weird, or needy.

Symptoms of impulsivity in children:

• Acts without thinking
• Blurts out answers in class without waiting to be called on or hear the whole question
• Can’t wait for his or her turn in line or in games
• Says the wrong thing at the wrong time
• Often interrupts others
• Intrudes on other people’s conversations or games
• Inability to keep powerful emotions in check, resulting in angry outbursts or temper tantrums
• Guesses, rather than taking time to solve a problem

*Symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity are adapted from the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for ADHD