| ADD and ADHD have received an incredible amount | | | | doing |
| of media attention in recent years, with parenting | | | | 11. Forgetfulness |
| magazines, medical journals and school publications | | | | 12. Often fidgets and squirms in their seat |
| highlighting ADD/ADHD symptoms on a regular basis. | | | | 13. Gets up when remaining in seat is expected |
| There are very few parents who aren't aware of the | | | | 14. Running and climbing when it isn't appropriate |
| basic warning signs that their child may be suffering | | | | 15. Lack of interest in quiet leisure activities, such as |
| from ADD or ADHD; however, aside from these | | | | coloring or reading |
| basics many parents are left in the dark. | | | | 16. Often "On the go" |
| As a parent, you should never actively diagnose your | | | | 17. Excessive talking |
| child with ADD or ADHD. You should, however, keep a | | | | 18. Answers are blurted out before the speaker has |
| wary eye out for ADD/ADHD symptoms in order to | | | | finished answering the question |
| bring them to the attention of your physician and get | | | | 19. Has trouble waiting their turn |
| your child the treatment they need as quickly as | | | | 20. Interrupts often |
| possible. Your physician will evaluate your child fully and | | | | If your child is at an age where they should |
| recommend a course of action from that point. | | | | developmentally have been able to overcome these |
| Possible ADD/ADHD symptoms (as per the DSM-IV | | | | ADD/ADHD symptoms and they have not, and |
| Criteria for ADHD) include: | | | | multiple symptoms have been present for at least the |
| 1. Constant, almost manic energy | | | | last six months, the time has come to speak to your |
| 2. An inability to control their impulses in inappropriate | | | | child's physician. From this point you will have several |
| situations, often screaming or lashing out | | | | options. If a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD is officially |
| 3. Work often done quickly, with little regard to quality | | | | made, you may choose to treat your child using:o |
| or detail | | | | Medication. There are several drugs currently available |
| 4. Work often left undone because something else | | | | on the market that have been very effective in the |
| has caught their eye | | | | treatment of ADD/ADHD symptoms, particularly |
| 5. Poor grades in school, difficulty keeping up with the | | | | among young children.o Behavioral therapyo Dietary |
| class | | | | treatment. A recent study done showed that children |
| 6. Frequent behavioral difficulties, particularly in a | | | | who were treated with a daily supplemental mix of |
| classroom setting | | | | vitamins and minerals responded by controlling their |
| 7. Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly | | | | ADD/ADHD symptoms almost as effectively, if not as |
| 8. Attempts to avoid and actively speaks out against | | | | effectively, as those children treated with Ritalin.o |
| activities that require constant mental effort for an | | | | Literary therapy. This is most effective for older |
| extended period of time, such as schoolwork or | | | | children and teens who actively recognize that their |
| homework | | | | responses are inappropriate, and it focuses on |
| 9. Items are frequently lost | | | | educating them about their condition to help them learn |
| 10. Distracted often and easily from what they are | | | | how best to control it. |