The purpose of this research was to describe and understand attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the most effective treatment options available today. ADHD is a mental health disorder that affects 3-9% of the population in ways that, if left untreated, can wreak havoc on the sufferer's mind. It makes it difficult to concentrate, the most challenging tasks seem insurmountable, and causes impulsive and hyperactive tendencies. Fortunately, research and testing have led to new and effective treatments to help those suffering from this disorder (Dupaul 8). This research examined journal articles and Internet sources on the topic to help unravel the complexities of the disorder through scientific research. It was also a way to separate the myths of the disorder from the truth, while discovering the causes, methods of diagnosis and the best treatment alternatives to combat this widespread disorder. In 1902, a doctor named Sir George F. published a series of lectures to the Royal College of Physicians in England in which he described a group of impulsive children with significant behavioral problems, caused by a genetic dysfunction and not by poor child rearing? Children who today would easily be recognized as having ADHD (NIMH 1) . Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder characterized by distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and an inability to stay focused on tasks or activities. ADHD affects approximately 3-9% of children, with symptoms usually appearing by age seven. Some key characteristics of the disorder include a person who:? Is he easily distracted by events happening around him? Do you put off everything that requires prolonged mental effort? Does he not seem to listen when spoken to? Does it show a repeated failure to complete tasks? Do you have difficulty sitting still? Shows difficulty in organizing activities. These symptoms prove particularly challenging for children and adolescents. While they can be quite intelligent, their lack of concentration often results in poor grades and difficulty in school. Children and adolescents with ADHD tend to act impulsively, without facing the consequences of their actions until it is too late. Their attention span is much shorter than that of most children, so they become easily bored and frustrated by... middle of paper... performed by NIMH to support claims that genetic predisposition and neurobiology were possible causes of ADHD. Their experiment studied 152 boys and girls with ADHD and compared them to 139 age- and gender-matched controls without ADHD. The children's brains were scanned at least twice, some up to four times over a decade. From the documentation, this appears to be a reliable experiment due to the sex- and age-matched control group.3. Is there an alternative way to interpret the evidence? In my opinion and in my observations in my life, the evidence clearly points to a strong correlation between genetics and a person's chance of having ADHD. I have also had friends with ADHD whose parents had similar symptoms.4. What additional studies would help evaluate alternatives? I think if genetic and neurobiological studies are conducted, the researcher should randomize the age groups tested and continue the research as a long-term study.5. Which conclusions are most reasonable? The conclusion drawn is that more research needs to be conducted before coming to an absolute conclusion that genetics and neurobiology determine patterns of ADHD