Attention Deficit Disorder - What Does the Diagnosis Really Mean?

Thirty years ago, if a child was inattentive, fidgety, andhave energy to burn.
prone to act on impulse, we would have called himMany factors contribute to inattentiveness in children,
rambunctious, an explorer, or even creative or bright.some of which are quite serious and have nothing to
Three decades ago, children who had trouble payingdo with the child's physiology or conditions of the child's
attention in school were often skipped ahead, becausehealth. Child abuse or neglect, for example, can cause
the assumption was the work was not challengingchildren to act in ways normally associated with
enough for them.Attention Deficit Disorder. Often, a diagnosis of ADD is
But now, when children begin exhibiting thesemade and Ritalin or some other drug is prescribed, and
symptoms, they are usually diagnosed with Attentionthe child goes on being abused without intervention.
Deficit Disorder (ADD) and medicated almostSymptoms of ADD can be indicative of serious
immediately.psychological problems, such as bipolar disorder,
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a relatively newanxiety, depression, or brain defects. Or, the behavior
diagnosis, a label given to behavior commonly exhibitedmay be caused by something as simple as allergies,
by boys of elementary school age. Young boysenvironmental sensitivities, nutritional deficiencies or
typically act impulsively, have excess energy, fidget,even too much caffeine.
and have trouble paying attention in class.Parents, teachers, and doctors should realize that
Compounded with the fact that the typical school ageAttention Deficit Disorder is never simple, and requires
child spends 40-plus hours a week watching televisiona thorough investigation of the causes, not just
or playing video games, it is no wonder many childrenmedication, to treat.