Attention deficit disorder

What is the ADD(Attention-Deficit Disorder)?

 Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a neurological

disorder that causes a range of behavior problems
such as difficulty attending to instruction,
focusing on schoolwork, keeping up with
assignments, following instructions, completing
tasks and social interaction.
 Everyyear the National Information Center for
Children and Youth with Disabilities (NICHCY)
receives thousands of requests for information
about the education and special needs of children
and youth with Attention-Deficit Disorder. Over
the past several years, ADD has received a
tremendous amount of attention from parents,
professionals, and policymakers across the
country- so much so, in fact, that nearly everyone
has now heard about ADD.
Problems Often Associated With ADD
 ADD may also involve hyperactivity with behavior
problems. In addition, students with ADD may have
learning disabilities and are often at risk for
repeated disciplinary problems in schools. In fact,
adults and peers alike may conclude that such
students are lazy because of their inattention to
tasks and failure to follow through with
assignments. While ADD is extremely common,
misperceptions about the disorder continue to
circulate.
The ADD are three subtypes:
 AD/HD [ A.D.D. OR ADHD ] Predominantly Combined Type,
 AD/HD [ A.D.D. OR ADHD ] Predominantly Inattentive Type, and
 AD/HD [ A.D.D. OR ADHD ] Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive
Type.
These subtypes take into account that some children with AD/HD
[ A.D.D. OR ADHD ] have little or no trouble sitting still or inhibiting
behavior, but may be predominantly inattentive and, as a result, have
great difficulty getting or staying focused on a task or activity. Others
with AD/HD [ A.D.D. OR ADHD ] may be able to pay attention to a task
but lose focus because they may be predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
and, thus, have trouble controlling impulse and activity. The most
prevalent subtype is the Combined Type. These children will have
significant symptoms of all three characteristics.
Common Characteristics
 Children with ADD without the hyperactivity component
may appear to be bored or disinterested in classroom
activities. They may be prone to daydreaming or
forgetfulness, work at a slow pace and turn in
incomplete work.
 Their assignment may look disorganized as well as their
desks and locker spaces. They may lose materials at
school and at home or misplace schoolwork and fail to
turn in assignments. This can frustrate teachers, parents
and result in the child earning poor marks in class.
Behavior intervention may counter the child's
forgetfulness.
 Treatment
 ADD is sometimes treated with stimulant medications such
as Ritalin. In some cases, stimulant medications can help
students with ADD stay on-task and focused. However,
some stimulant medications have been associated with
serious side effects. As a result, many parents hesitate to
use Ritalin, Adderall or other medications to treat ADD.
 Whether or not parents choose to medicate their children,
most physicians and child psychologists suggest that a
behavior intervention plan should be developed to help
teach kids adaptive behavior skills and reduce off-task and
inattentive behaviors.
 Thismay be even more helpful than drug use,
especially because some students diagnosed with ADD
or ADHD actually don't have these conditions but
behave as if they do due to personal or family
problems. Behavior intervention plans can help
students with problem behaviors, whether they
actually have ADD or exhibit ADD-like behaviors.
 Certainly, there is an advantage of behavior
intervention plans long term, as these adaptations
may result in permanent improvement in
concentration skills which a medication cannot
provide.