Hyperkinetic disorder in children: principles of diagnosis and therapy

Abstract

This pathology includes disorders of neuropsychological development, the leading clinical sign of which is constant persistent patterns (models) of behavior with impaired attention and/or increased motor activity and impulsivity, leading to maladjustment in several areas of the child’s social functioning. Attention disorders manifest themselves in the form of the following behavioral patterns: distractibility with disorganization of behavior and problems with stable focus on a task, which are not associated with a decrease in intelligence and lack of understanding of the proposed tasks. Hyperactivity is understood as excessive motor activity, fussiness, restlessness, or verbosity that is not adequate to accepted norms. Impulsive behavior involves quick, hasty, thoughtless, hurried actions that carry a high risk of serious harm and injury. Due to the great heterogeneity in the severity of clinical manifestations, this pathology tends to be diagnosed late, often with the start of schooling.