| In the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of | | | | distractions which are a lot more visible to parents and |
| Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) ADHD (Attention-Deficit | | | | teachers. The child gets everyone's attention and the |
| Hyperactivity Disorder) is the term used. On the other | | | | indications are recognised at an earlier stage. |
| hand; ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) with or without | | | | Initially and until recently it was assumed that only boys |
| hyperactivity is the older term from the DSM-IIIR | | | | suffered with these disorders but it is now |
| Although to some degree there is a difference | | | | acknowledged that both male and females can be |
| between ADD and ADHD some children have a | | | | victims. |
| combination of both. | | | | For both these disorders making an early diagnosis is |
| ADD is mainly a physiological disorder but a lot of the | | | | crucial so the child's overall well being and development |
| time it is misinterpreted and not diagnosed. When | | | | do not suffer. A lot of the time these conditions are |
| someone mentions ADD a picture pops up in your | | | | not noticed until the child is at school where the |
| head of a child running around and misbehaving and | | | | inattention or the hyperactivity becomes more visible |
| not listening to instructions. | | | | when mixing with other children. As a parent you are |
| But actually a child or adult with ADD is more likely to | | | | responsible for you child and monitoring his/her school |
| be sitting staring into space and may come across as | | | | work and activity will play a vital role in determining if |
| just being lazy. A lot of victims actually grow up never | | | | your child has a problem. If you have any doubt at all |
| being diagnosed and are usually classed as being | | | | you should seek outside help from either a professional |
| inattentive and not interested in learning. | | | | therapist or counsellor as your child's mental and |
| You may also find that when you ask them to do | | | | physical well being for the rest of their life may depend |
| something, for example; get your books from the | | | | on it. If your child is diagnosed with one of these |
| bedroom, by the time they have reached the bedroom | | | | disorders then you should do your research about the |
| they will have forgotten why they went there and will | | | | available treatments on the market. Getting relief for |
| end up doing something else instead. Or if you were to | | | | ADHD should be your primary goal. There are many |
| ask them to do two separate things, generally | | | | Doctors that will prescribe drugs as the main treatment |
| speaking they will do one and completely forget what | | | | but it is up to you to decide if you want your child on |
| the other one was. | | | | long term medication which can have side effects. As |
| This obviously leads to long term problems in their adult | | | | modern science has developed, there is alternative |
| life. But actually it is a disorder that can be treated. | | | | treatment for ADHD available now without the use of |
| ADHD on the other hand is more a hyperactivity | | | | drugs and this should be one of your options to |
| disorder and normally is diagnosed a lot quicker | | | | consider. |
| because the hyperactivity creates disruption and | | | | |