| Attention Deficit Disorder, in itself, is not | | | | problems spelling and reading, writing, and |
| a learning disability. The term "learning | | | | arithmetic disorders may arise. Likewise, |
| disability" typically refers to a perceptual | | | | dyslexia, a reading disorder, is common in |
| disability, such as an auditory or visual | | | | children with ADD. However, none of these |
| processing disorder, like autism or dyslexia. | | | | disabilities is inherent to Attention Deficit |
| A person with ADD, however, has no problems | | | | Disorder. While some children may have them, |
| perceiving or interpreting information. | | | | many will not. |
| Therefore, it does not qualify as a learning | | | | |
| disability. | | | | Whereas ADD may cause difficulty in learning, |
| | | | steps may be taken to help the child perform |
| Although it is often jumbled in with the mass | | | | well in spite of the disorder. Most ADD |
| of "disabilities", ADD actually does not | | | | children do better with a schedule - the |
| hinder the process of learning. A child with | | | | exact same thing, day in and day out. Because |
| ADD can intake information, process it | | | | they may have problems with memory retention |
| accordingly, and preserve it in memory, just | | | | and are easily distracted, this helps them |
| like any other person. The problem comes with | | | | stay on track, because they are acting out of |
| getting them to pay attention long enough to | | | | habit. |
| hear the information in the first place! | | | | |
| | | | The same goes for organization; a set way to |
| A child with Attention Deficit Disorder may | | | | do things and places to put things makes it |
| have difficulties in school and with learning | | | | easier to remember and stay on course. On the |
| in general, but it is not due to a learning | | | | same token, teaching the child to utilize |
| disability. Often, when a child is treated | | | | organizational binders and planners also |
| for ADD, their academic performance improves | | | | helps them stay organized and keep up with |
| by leaps and bounds. On the other hand, an | | | | important assignments. |
| individual with ADD may not have any | | | | |
| difficulty in learning at all; this will vary | | | | During class time, it helps if an interactive |
| by person. | | | | approach is taken as opposed to a lecturing |
| | | | style - this keeps the child's attention |
| However, while ADD is not a learning | | | | better and decreases the likelihood of |
| disability, it is often accompanied by one or | | | | distractions. |
| many. Some children, particularly at the | | | | |
| preschool age, may have difficulty | | | | The most important thing is to not make ADD a |
| interpreting sounds or words and may also | | | | crutch for the child; they can grow and be |
| have speech issues. Older children may have | | | | successful, even with this disorder. |