| p>· Attention Deficit Disorder does not actually | | | | excessively reprimanded to no avail. |
| exist; it is an excuse to allow children to behave poorly | | | | · All children with ADD are hyperactive |
| and avoid discipline. | | | | There is a common misconception that Attention |
| Great strides are being taken to fully understand ADD | | | | Deficit Disorder inherently means a child is hyperactive; |
| and its causes. However, there is no question it is a | | | | this is not true. Many children have the predominantly |
| real disorder that is exhibited by inattention, | | | | inattentive type of ADD, meaning the primary |
| impulsiveness, distractibility, and sometimes | | | | characteristic is lack of attention, short attention span, |
| hyperactivity. | | | | and distractibility. This type does not include |
| · All children have poor attention spans and are | | | | hyperactivity as a symptom. ADD without |
| hyperactive; therefore children diagnosed with ADD | | | | hyperactivity is often more difficult to identify, as the |
| are just like any other child. | | | | children are usually just thought to be unproductive or |
| ADD causes excessive impulsiveness, inattention, | | | | lazy. |
| distractibility and sometimes hyperactivity; the very | | | | · Most children outgrow ADD |
| nature of diagnosing ADD is that the behavior is more | | | | Studies suggest that most children continue the |
| extreme than that of other children of the same age. | | | | symptoms of ADD throughout adolescence, and some |
| While most children display these behaviors at some | | | | even into adulthood. Exhibiting the same behaviors, |
| time, it does not normally hinder their day to day | | | | these individuals will continue to show distractibility, |
| activities. Children with ADD have constant problems | | | | difficulty in staying on task, and impulsiveness for many |
| with these behaviors impeding their productivity on a | | | | years. |
| daily basis. | | | | · There is nothing parents or teachers can do |
| · Attention Deficit Disorder can be prevented | | | | to control a child with ADD |
| through discipline or diet. | | | | This is simply not the case. The purpose of parents |
| Because ADD is a biological and genetic disorder, diet | | | | and teachers in dealing with a child with ADD should |
| and discipline are not causes. Many suggestions have | | | | be to help teach them how to control their own |
| been made that poor diet, fatty foods, and sugar are | | | | actions. There are various ways to do this, including |
| factors that cause the disorder; this is absolutely not | | | | behavior modification, positive reinforcement |
| the case. Likewise, lack of discipline does not cause | | | | procedures, and other techniques. |
| ADD. In many cases a child with ADD has been | | | | |