Bart Simpson and Attention Deficit Disorder
A person who has Attention-Deficit/Interactivity often exhibits six or more of the following symptoms for a period of six months or more to a “degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with developmental level”. One of the characteristics of a person with this disorder is that he or she often fails to give close attention in schoolwork or work. A person may also make careless mistakes in the above activities or has difficulty keeping their attention in tasks or activities. Other characteristics is that the person may often not seem to listen when spoken to directly, often forgetful in daily activities, or is often easily distracted. A person with this disability often has difficulty organizing tasks and “often avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort (such as schoolwork or homework). Finally, a person with this disability “often loses things necessary for tasks or activities” such as toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools. (DSM-IV 83-84)
Usually most people with Attention-Deficit Disorder show these symptoms before age seven and the symptoms are evident in two or more settings such as school or work, and at home. In order for a person to be labeled as having Attention-Deficit Disorder, “there must be clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic, or occupational functioning”.
The last diagnostic criteria listed in the DSM-IV for Attention-Deficit Disorder is that “the symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g. Mood Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Dissociative Disorder, or a Personality Disorder)”. (DSM-IV 85)
Experts have investigated both genetic and environmental causes for ADHD. Some children “may inherit a biochemical condition, which influences the expression of ADHD symptoms”. Other children may acquire the condition “due to abnormal fetal development, which has subtle effects on brain regions that control attention and movement.” Studies have found that the frontal lobe and basal ganglia are 10 percent smaller in size and activity in ADHD children than in non-ADHD children. Also, studies have found that dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter involved in ADHD. “Dopamine pathways in the brain, which link the basal ganglia and frontal cortex, appear to play a major role in ADHD.” It was falsely rumored in the past that ADHD was caused by ineffective parenting, injury, diet, toxins, developmental impairments and heredity. (CHADD)
There are two different methods of treatment that target symptoms of ADHD. One is medication and the other is a non-medical treatment with psychosocial interventions. The combination of the two is called “multimodality treatment”. At least 70% to 80% of children and adults with ADHD respond positively when placed on psychostimulant medications. Treatment with stimulants is beneficial in about 80% of children with ADHD and has been used to treat the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of ADHD for more than 50 years. For more than 25 years, behavior modification techniques have been used to treat the behavioral symptoms of ADHD. However, in many cases behavior modification alone is not sufficient enough to address severe symptoms of ADHD. Some students who have ADHD have to have minor adjustments in the classroom setting and be placed in special education programs outside the classroom. Five years ago, laws passed that created education intervention for children with ADHD. Modifications and special placements in public school settings are part of the treatment of ADHD. (CHADD)
“Children with ADHD are at risk for school failure, emotional difficulties and significant, negative adult outcome in comparison to their peers.” (CHADD) On The Simpsons, Bart Simpson exhibits many characteristics of a person who has Attention Deficit Disorder/Inattention. Looking back at episodes of the Simpsons we can see that he does poor academically despite how in the October 11, 1990 episode he stayed up all-night studying for an exam and only got a D-. Part of the reason of his poor academic grades is because he fails to give close attention to homework and makes careless mistakes which corresponds with the “a” symptom on the DSM-IV. He often doesn’t do his chores and he avoids doing his homework and hates school that meets the criteria for the “f” symptom. He also fails to finish the schoolwork in class and fails to finish chores that he is assigned around the house that meets the crtiteria for the “d” symptom. Often, when he is in class, he stares out the window that meets with the “h” symptom. When he does do his homework and studies for tests, Bart has a tendency to play with objects in his room and he is easily distracted and has difficulty sustaining attention in activities that meets the criteria for the “b” symptom. Many times he has left his bookbag on the bus or at school and several times he left his bike which either got wet or got run over when Homer accidentally drove over it that meets the criteria for the “g” symptom. Many times when Marge tried to talk to Bart or Mrs. Krabapple or Mr. Skinner tried to talk to Bart, they would notice that he wasn’t paying attention. They would often ask Bart to repeat what they said and Bart was unable to recall what they said even at times when he really tried to pay attention and got distracted anyway that meets the criteria for the “c” symptom. Bart’s room is quite disorganized with clothes all over the floor. When he goes to school he didn’t have a notebook, he just shoved his papers in his bookbag. He would often leave class when the bell rang instead of waiting for the teacher to assign the homework even when the teacher was in mid-sentence that meets the criteria for the “e” symptom. Bart is also often forgetful in daily activities such as sometimes forgetting to eat breakfast, forgetting to get home in time for curfew, and forgetting important dates such as his sister’s birthday that meets the criteria for the “i” symptom. In order to be classified Attention-Deficit Inattention Disorder, a person must exhibit at least six of the symptoms listed on the DSM-IV, Bart exhibits eight of the symptoms listed.
The symptoms of Bart’s Attention-Deficit Disorder are both genetic and environmental. Part of these symptoms stem from Homer who also doesn’t pay close attention to details and makes careless mistakes, has difficulty paying attention to what is being said, and is easily distracted. An example of Homer being easily distracted is when Skinner invites Homer and Marge to his office to explain what Bart did and as Skinner is talking Homer looks out the window.
Even though Bart Simpson is a fictional character, it is important that when a person exhibits behaviors not considered to be “normal”, that he or she sees a psychiatrist and is properly diagnosed so that they can be treated immediately.
