| Attention deficit disorder, also called ADD, is a | | | | respond to adults who are trying to control them. |
| behavioral problem usually in children, in which a child | | | | Discipline will not work. |
| has difficulty paying attention. ADD is now considered | | | | Many times children are misdiagnosed with ADD. |
| to be a form of ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity | | | | There are several other conditions that mimic the |
| disorder. Children with ADHD have signs of | | | | symptoms of ADD. Autism is one such condition as |
| hyperactivity in addition to attention problems. Early | | | | autistic children sometimes get overexcited at times. |
| diagnosis of ADD is important as the symptoms can | | | | Anxiety, depression and thyroid problems can also |
| last into adulthood and can cause problems in | | | | mimic the symptoms of ADD. Children who have |
| relationships and at home or school. | | | | recently experienced a divorce or death in the family |
| All children tend to be hyper and out of control at | | | | can also be mistakenly thought to have ADD. Even |
| some point. This is normal. In kids with ADD, however, | | | | vision problems can be mistakenly identified as ADD. |
| the hyperactivity and restlessness occur all the time, | | | | ADD cannot be cured but it is treatable. Treatment is |
| not just some of the time. How does a parent | | | | usually given in the form of a stimulant medication such |
| determine if their child truly has ADD and is not just a | | | | as Adderall or Ritalin. These medications help alleviate |
| "bad kid?" In order to be diagnosed with ADD, a child | | | | the symptoms of ADD and must be taken regularly to |
| must meet the criteria established by the American | | | | be effective. Stimulant drugs actually decrease |
| Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical | | | | hyperactivity and improve focus. Unfortunately, there |
| Manual. Information about the child is gathered in | | | | are some side effects to many ADD drugs. Insomnia, |
| discussions with the parents, teachers and the child | | | | loss of appetite, headache and stomach pain is a few |
| himself. | | | | of the common symptoms. Behavior therapy is also |
| There are several questions parents can ask | | | | sometimes indicated for children with ADD. Parents |
| themselves to get a better idea if their child has ADD. | | | | are taught how to positively reinforce acceptable |
| How long has the child been overly active? Children | | | | behaviors and encourage development of problem |
| with ADD may have been overly hyperactive prior to | | | | solving and communication skills. |
| age 7. They also may have been more | | | | Many adults are unaware that they have ADD. The |
| temperamental as babies. Another important question | | | | discovery sometimes occurs while researching the |
| is whether the child can complete a given task or is he | | | | problem for their own children. Other times they may |
| loses interest too quickly (5 minutes or less). Is the child | | | | visit a physician to treat anxiety only to find out they |
| hyperactive in all situations or is he well behaved at | | | | are suffering from ADD. Treatment for adults is similar |
| school and overly active at home? A child with ADD | | | | to children. With the proper treatment, adults and |
| will be hyperactive in all situations. In fact, children with | | | | children with ADD can live normal productive lives. |
| ADD cannot control this behavior and will often not | | | | |