BANGALORE: For the first time in the city, school children will be screened for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the symptoms of which are hyperactivity, inattention and behaviour problems in children.
The move has been mooted by the Department of Public Instruction which would soon figure out the cause of this disorder and provide treatment under the AYUSH system of medicine or general medicine.
The department has appointed homeopath Dr Deepak Shah to head a pilot study and conduct a survey in government primary schools, government-aided education institutes to find out the prevalence of ADHD, which is also known as minimal brain dysfunction.
His team will carry out the survey from this month end. Speaking to Express, Tushar Girinath, commissioner for Department of Public Instruction said, “This is a small project to determine the extent of ADHD. We may include assessment through the Health Department under Swarna Arogya Chetana and go for treatment under Ayush and general allopathic drugs.”
During the first phase of this study, workshops for school teachers from class I to VI are being planned and they will be informed about the basic symptoms of the disorder.
Based on the symptoms of ADHD, the participating teachers are expected to fill the forms rating their students. Later, the forms will be assessed for ADHD and submitted to the Department of Public Instruction. Finally, based on their preliminary survey report, the officials will chalk out the action plans for the second phase.
It may be a normal thing for children at primary school to often fail to pay attention to teachers or make careless mistakes in school work. Also they may have difficulty awaiting turn or talk excessively during class hours. But these could be symptoms of ADHD.
“Ninety per cent of ADHD disorder is hereditary, the remaining improper functioning of brain due to chemical imbalances, brain injuries, or may also be related to drugs and toxins to which the pregnant mother may have been exposed to. However, till date, scientists have not been able to identify the cause,” said Dr Deepak, who will be heading the survey.
If the disorder is not treated in the childhood it will lead to complication later. Acceptance must be developed among teachers and parents, he noted.