| The first time a parent hears about ADD testing, they | | | | harmful side effects to this medication including some |
| may feel a bit overwhelmed themselves. In many | | | | that are long term. |
| cases, one of the parents has the disorder as ADD is | | | | For years, the standard ADHD or ADD treatment was |
| often inherited. In most cases, the parent was never | | | | to give the child Ritalin. This drug has been linked to |
| even diagnosed with this condition that affects about 5 | | | | heart disease as well as some cancers. Many children |
| percent of the population. The parent most likely | | | | reject the drug as they get older because it does not |
| compensated for having ADD by modifying their | | | | make them feel like themselves. Many parents reject |
| behavior in some manner. They may have not done | | | | the idea of drugging their children in order to get them |
| well in school because of the attention deficit that is | | | | to behave to a standard that has been set by other |
| brought on by ADD. | | | | people. They seek out therapy that allows the child to |
| Most parents first hear about ADD testing from the | | | | still be themselves and process their thoughts in their |
| teacher where their child is attending school. The | | | | own manner. Children with ADD process their thoughts |
| teacher will often tell the parents that the child does | | | | differently than other children. They are also usually |
| not follow directions, daydreams quite a bit and is | | | | highly creative and may have broad imaginations. |
| unable to focus on any project for a length of time. In | | | | Drugs can rob the child of their imagination - something |
| the case of a child with ADHD, there are also | | | | that no one should want to do. |
| behavioral issues. This includes being unable to sit still | | | | If you have been told that you should take your child |
| and control their impulses. Teachers like to run an | | | | for ADD testing, make sure that the doctor who |
| orderly classroom where everyone is quietly learning. It | | | | performs the testing is familiar with ADD and ADHD |
| can be very difficult for a teacher to try to deal with a | | | | and advocates solutions other than just drugging the |
| child who constantly disrupts the class, as ADHD | | | | child. You can help your child not only live with ADD, |
| children often do. It can also be frustrating for the | | | | but actually benefit from his or her vivid imagination and |
| teacher to have to explain a problem over and over | | | | creativity by working with them in ADD therapy. |
| again to an ADD or ADHD child. | | | | Symptoms of ADD include being inattentive to |
| Parents will most likely take the child to the pediatrician | | | | schoolwork, not being able to follow directions, being |
| for ADD testing. The pediatrician may or may not | | | | highly unorganized and unable to concentrate on a |
| recommend that the child be seen by a psychologist. | | | | project or complete a task. If your child constantly |
| Many pediatricians who are used to dealing with ADD | | | | demonstrates this type of behavior, you can take him |
| and ADHD and feel comfortable making the diagnosis | | | | or her to the doctor for ADD testing. |
| themselves will prescribe medication. There can be | | | | |