| ople assume a child with ADD will run screaming like a | | | | consider it, and then choose to act or not act on it. |
| wild banshee through the supermarket, school, or any | | | | However, with ADD, the idea enters a child’s |
| other inappropriate place they happen to be in; | | | | mind and is almost instantly enacted, with little |
| however, that is rarely the case. The term | | | | consideration to consequences. This comes across as |
| hyperactive and ADD are sometimes used | | | | the child not being able to control themselves. |
| interchangeably, but this is not accurate. The true | | | | Another possible symptom of ADD is hyperactivity. |
| symptoms of ADD may be less obvious than that of | | | | Although this is not present in all children, it is exhibited |
| the tantrum-thrower in the mall. | | | | in many. A child with ADD and hyperactivity may talk |
| Attention Deficit Disorder most often makes itself | | | | excessively, fidget, have a difficult time sitting still, climb |
| apparent as extreme inattentiveness. While most | | | | or run excessively, and often displays these behaviors |
| children go through spells of lack of concentration, with | | | | at inappropriate times. Most children are active; |
| an ADD child, it actually hinders day to day activities. | | | | however, interference with daily life is a sign of a |
| This is displayed by having a short attention span, | | | | problem. |
| being easily distracted, and not paying attention to | | | | The key to diagnosing Attention Deficit Disorder is |
| details, all more so than an average child of the same | | | | excessiveness in the above characteristics. Almost all |
| age. You may notice a child with ADD becoming | | | | children will exhibit these traits occasionally, but they |
| sidetracked with very little noise or activity that other | | | | must actually create a difficulty on a regular basis to |
| people may not even notice. | | | | point to ADD. They must also be inappropriate for the |
| Impulsiveness is another symptom of ADD. A child that | | | | age of the child. Most younger children will be more |
| interrupts constantly, has an inability to wait their turn, or | | | | inattentive, impulsive, or hyperactive; however, with age, |
| blurts out answers in class may be exhibiting signs of | | | | these behaviors are usually controlled. For this reason, |
| Attention Deficit Disorder. This characteristic shows a | | | | a child must be compared to other children of the |
| lack of process in action - not thinking before acting. | | | | same age to accurately analyze if their actions are |
| For most people, a thought comes to mind, they | | | | excessive. |