| Diagnosing Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms can | | | | to the environment. They are so "in tuned" with their |
| be very complex when the youngster is very | | | | environment that concentration is impossible. |
| immature. As a rule, the symptoms of ADD will show | | | | Distractibility differs from having a short attention span |
| up observably in children once they reach school age. | | | | because of the child's inability to sustain concentration |
| One of the first requirements of school age children is | | | | due to outside influences. Unavoidable circumstances |
| learning how to keep organized and staying focused | | | | such as bird flying by a window, someone sneezing, |
| during class, therefore, the symptoms of ADD can be | | | | and even the contact of their own outfits can produce |
| detected more readily in this environment. Lack of | | | | a disturbance. Tags, lace, seams, and certain materials |
| sustained concentration to everyday jobs, particularly if | | | | types will undoubtedly take their toll on these children |
| the child finds it dull, is considered the characteristic | | | | and will result in assured distractibility. |
| symptom of this disorder. The failure to stay attentive | | | | The symptoms of ADD can vary greatly. Other |
| along with simple distractibility will become more | | | | common symptoms include problems with organization. |
| perceptible as the youngster grows up. | | | | A child with ADD is often seen as a disorganized |
| Short Attention Spans | | | | mess in all areas of life. Their bedroom will appear like |
| It may appear as if the child's short attention span will | | | | a whirlwind hit it. Closets, desk drawers, dresser |
| oddly vanish when they are able to concentrate for an | | | | drawers, will have clothes half in and half out, but more |
| extensive period of time, but this only occurs when | | | | commonly, clothes will be dropped wherever they land. |
| they find the task to be highly invigorating or very | | | | Their school lockers and desks will appear the same. |
| alarming. The key element to remember is the inability | | | | School books, folders, book bags, will have so many |
| to remain on task when the child finds the subject | | | | papers stuffed in them that the child can seldom locate |
| uninteresting. Unfortunately for the ADD child, a certain | | | | anything. |
| part of their brain, called the frontal cortex, actually | | | | Lack of follow through |
| shuts down during concentration. Studies have | | | | The inability to complete an assignment is included in |
| revealed, using brain SPECT images of kids with ADD | | | | these symptoms. Schoolwork is tardy or not |
| at rest and then with concentration, corroborate this | | | | completed, errands at home are chaotically done or |
| assumption. Now you can actually see how the ADD | | | | not at all and promises are ignored. They also lack the |
| child's brain reacts on film. The sudden lack of the | | | | ability to sense time. These children are often late for |
| hormone adrenaline is thought to be the cause. | | | | class, the last ones to leave any functions, and |
| Adrenaline is a required core substance used to trigger | | | | frequently miss appointments. A wrist watch does not |
| the under active part of the brain. | | | | help. They either forget to look at the time or their |
| Many clinicians think of ADD as "adrenaline deficit | | | | perception to accurately calculate the amount of time |
| disorder" because without the hormone adrenaline, | | | | that is required to complete a task is amiss. In their |
| these children can not focus. Moreover, when a | | | | minds, it's the moment that matters. Anything that |
| situation occurs that is exciting for the ADD child, the | | | | requires forethought is a struggle. |
| hormone becomes more abundant, allowing the | | | | Impulsivity |
| substance to reach the under active portion of the | | | | Another main characteristic of an ADD child is their |
| brain. The effect will result in the child's ability to focus | | | | impulsiveness. They often act before thinking. These |
| without problems and devoid of interference. For this | | | | children lack internal supervision. Their mouths tend to |
| purpose, children with ADD can engage in pastime | | | | get them into trouble with teachers, friends, and at |
| video games for hours, read a paper, or watch a | | | | times even the law. This single symptom alone can |
| disturbing movie absorbedly. They can call to mind | | | | cause a child with ADD to have very low self esteem. |
| every facet with astonishing correctness. | | | | It's a constant internal struggle. They strive at their best |
| Distractibility | | | | to make friends but have difficulty sustaining any |
| Another prevalent symptom of AD is distractibility. | | | | friendships long term because of their impulsivity. |
| Children diagnosed with ADD have a hypersensitivity | | | | |