Introduction
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may also experience another mental disorder. What are these other mental disorders? This article will describe what mental disorders accompany Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. They include Learning Disabilities, Tourette Syndrome, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, as well as Conduct Disorder.
Learning Disabilities
It is not uncommon to have a learning disability with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In fact, 20% to 30% of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder also have a learning disability. According to ldonline.org, “In preschool years, these disabilities include difficulty in understanding certain sounds or words and/or difficulty in expressing oneself in words. In school age children, reading or spelling disabilities, writing disorders, and arithmetic disorders may appear. A type of reading disorder, dyslexia, is quite widespread.” With that said, these specific learning disabilities may appear as early as preschool.
Tourette Syndrome
In addition to Learning Disabilities, a very small portion of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder also have Tourette Syndrome. Children with Tourette Syndrome may experience eye blinks, facial twitches, or grimacing. Other common behaviors seen in children with Tourette Syndrome include clearing throats frequently, snorting, sniffing, or barking out words. However, on an important note, the combined symptoms associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Tourette Syndrome can be managed with the use of medication.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
In addition to Learning Disabilities and Tourette Syndrome, another disorder in addition to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Oppositional Defiant Disorder effects one-third to one-half of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, mostly boys. In particular, according to Idonline.org, “These children are often defiant, stubborn, non-compliant, have outbursts of temper, or become belligerent. They argue with adults and refuse to obey.”
Conduct Disorder
In addition to Learning Disabilities, Tourette Syndrome, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder is also another disorder that co-occurs alongside Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. About 20% to 40% of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may eventually develop Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. These children may lie or steal, fight with or bully others, and are at a real risk of getting into trouble at school or with the police.
Conclusion
To conclude this article on co-occurring disorders in children, children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can experience more than one type of disorder, in addition to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. These types of disorders include but are not limited to Learning Disabilities, Tourette Syndrome, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and Conduct Disorder.
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