| With bouts of inattentiveness, impulsive | | | | pencils, and even their toys. Attention |
| behavior, and hyperactivity, millions of | | | | deficit disorder patients also lack |
| children in the United States are plagued by | | | | sufficient organizational skills, become |
| attention deficit disorder. The chronic | | | | easily distracted, or often forget important |
| disorder, which is also commonly referred to | | | | details. |
| as ADD or ADHD, has the potential to continue | | | | |
| on into adulthood, where issues of | | | | With attention deficit disorder, it is |
| self-esteem, strained interaction with | | | | important to approach a diagnosis regarding |
| others, and poor performance in school or | | | | the condition with caution since a |
| work often takes place. | | | | mis-diagnosis may cause unnecessary |
| | | | medication. This type of error often masks |
| No one knows exactly why attention deficit | | | | underlying problems the child is experiencing |
| disorder strikes some children, but | | | | with their parents and teachers. When a child |
| researchers have their theories. Some believe | | | | exhibits the warning signs of ADD, it is |
| the issue begins during the growth and | | | | important to get immediate help for the |
| development inside the womb, while others | | | | problem because the condition is known to |
| feel heavy drug use and a lower | | | | increase the risk of drug and alcohol abuse, |
| socio-economic status play an important role. | | | | injury, car accidents in teenagers, poor |
| Many cases of ADD often points towards | | | | grades, depression, and a heightened sense of |
| biological inconsistencies, where the genes | | | | anxiety. |
| that control the levels of chemicals in the | | | | |
| brain (neurotransmitters) are different in | | | | When it comes to finding the most effective |
| ADD patients than in other children. | | | | treatment for children affected with |
| | | | attention deficit disorder, there are |
| When diagnosing attention deficit disorder, | | | | numerous approaches to consider, many of |
| it is the signs and symptoms that become very | | | | which stir a wide range of debates and |
| important because most doctors are reluctant | | | | controversy. Since attention deficit disorder |
| to confirm ADD until a child showcases what | | | | is a condition that mostly surfaces when an |
| they believe to be the core symptoms of the | | | | individual is young, the touchy subject of |
| condition. These signs appear early in the | | | | medication and experimental techniques has |
| child's life, which eventually become an | | | | often overshadowed the age of the patient. |
| ongoing part of their behavioral patterns. It | | | | |
| is through these symptoms that they suffer | | | | To date, many children are treated with the |
| continuous problems that surface at home and | | | | use of psycho-stimulant drugs and other types |
| at school. | | | | of prescribed medications, which relieve the |
| | | | majority of symptoms associated with |
| A doctor may come to the conclusion that a | | | | attention deficit disorder, but fail to cure |
| child has attention deficit disorder if they | | | | the condition. In regards to age, a lot of |
| show six or more signs or symptoms for a | | | | parents are hesitant to treat their children |
| period of at least six months. The common | | | | with prescription drugs and opt for |
| symptoms may arise around the age of seven, | | | | counseling, special concessions within the |
| although it is not uncommon to see the signs | | | | classroom, family and community support, |
| at a much earlier age. It is important to | | | | which other parents include with the use of |
| note that the signs needs to be consistent, | | | | various medications. |
| since it is relatively normal for a child to | | | | |
| occasionally shows signs of inattentiveness. | | | | Some of the best treatments also start at |
| | | | home with a wide range of self-care methods |
| A child with ADD may often fail to pay close | | | | that include extreme patience and support. |
| attention to the details regarding school | | | | Many children with attention deficit disorder |
| activities. Consistent careless mistakes in | | | | also greatly benefit from therapy sessions |
| work may follow. A child may often have | | | | with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social |
| trouble paying attention during playtime or | | | | worker. They may undergo social skills |
| when completing simple tasks. A child may | | | | training or find comfort in a support group |
| seem to not listen when directly spoken to. | | | | with other parents and children with ADD. |
| Children with attention deficit disorder | | | | Some doctors also suggest that a combination |
| often avoid tasks that cause them to think or | | | | of therapy and medication is the best |
| focus for long stretches of time. They may | | | | approach. |
| often lose important items, such as books, | | | | |