| Attention deficit disorder, also known as ADD, is a | | | | being restless or fidgety, constantly moving hands and |
| syndrome caused by a structural defect in the brain. | | | | feet even when sitting down, having trouble staying in |
| Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are symptoms | | | | an assigned seat, getting up and moving around |
| children display when they have ADD. | | | | inappropriately, being constantly on the go, etc. |
| Inattention | | | | Impulsivity |
| As most parents know, children don't have very long | | | | Impulsivity may manifest itself in many ways. The |
| attention spans - that's normal. But a child with ADD will | | | | afflicted child may have trouble waiting his or her turn |
| display a shorter attention span than kids of the same | | | | in games, or may shout out the answers in class |
| age. Most you children will grow restless and | | | | before called upon. The child may also have trouble |
| inattentive if a story being read goes longer than half | | | | reading social cues and may try to force him or |
| an hour. A child with ADD will become inattentive after | | | | herself into the middle of conversations or games |
| only 5-10 minutes. | | | | where he or she is not wanted. |
| Other signs of inattention would include being easily | | | | Although these are the symptoms for ADD, it is |
| distracted, moving rapidly from one activity to another | | | | important to remember that the child that is showing |
| without completing any of them, failing to listen to or | | | | these signs should be worse than other children his or |
| follow directions in class and at home, making more | | | | her age. Currently, there is no permanent cure for |
| careless mistakes than one would expect from a child | | | | attention deficit disorder; but several treatments have |
| of that age, and consistently forgetting necessary | | | | been proven effective. If you suspect your child |
| items or supplies. | | | | suffers from ADD, ask the school for a referral to a |
| Hyperactivity For children that are extremely active | | | | professional such as a psychologist or psychiatrist that |
| and grow restless immediately, they have what is | | | | specializes in diagnosing and treating childhood |
| called hyperactivity. Signs of hyperactivity may include | | | | disorders. |