117
Copyright © 2016, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited.
Chapter 6
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-9452-1.ch006
ABSTRACT
Attention Defcit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that is diagnosed in a constantly growing
number of individuals in the Western world. This chapter provides a short overview of the shift in the
conceptualization of ADHD drawing on the fve Diagnostic and Statistical Manuals (DSMs). The authors
argue that focusing on the concept of timing and understanding time in ADHD may allow teachers and
parents to look beyond using pharmaceutics as the frst course of treatment. The chapter concludes with
a case study that showcases the experience of timing domains in ADHD.
INTRODUCTION
The overall purpose of this chapter is to lay out the shift in conceptualization of ADHD, to discuss some
of the prevailing issues, challenges, and problems arising from ADHD, and to highlight the concept of
timing (a definition of which we provide in a later section) in understanding the effects of ADHD on
behavior. In particular, we examine the concept of timing as it is theoretically and empirically recorded
in the literature and show how it can be relevant to the understanding of ADHD. The authors’ goal is to
present a conceptual treatment of ADHD thereby moving toward a reconsideration of the concept of timing
in the management of ADHD within the school environment and at home. A case study that exemplifies
the experience of timing of one teenage boy who has ADHD and his mother is presented. The chapter
concludes with suggestions for timing-related activities for teachers and parents that go beyond relying
on pharmaceutical treatment as a first-line of treatment. Due to limitations of space, the term ADHD
is used in this chapter to reference only the combined attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity and
does not include groups who have comorbidity of other conditions with ADHD.
Living with ADHD:
Timing Perceptions and Their Applicability
to the Experience of ADHD
Osnat O. Fellus
University of Ottawa, Canada
Daniel P. Fellus
Carleton University, Canada