| Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit | | | | child's character and everything to do with how their |
| Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are often referred to in | | | | brains interpret information. Giving children with impulse |
| the same breath by the general public as learning | | | | control problems tasks that work with their natures, |
| disabilities. However, they actually belong to a separate | | | | rather than against them-like allowing them to move to |
| group of disorders. The Individuals with Disabilities | | | | different parts of the house while studying-can help |
| Education Act (IDEA) puts ADD and ADHD in the | | | | them to maximize their educational opportunities. |
| "Other Health Impaired" category. The National Institute | | | | 3. Problems with maintaining focus |
| of Mental Health (NIMH) estimates that about 20 to | | | | Some common indications of this are lack of attention |
| 30% of children with ADD or ADHD also have a | | | | to detail and making frequent, unnecessary errors. |
| learning disability, which further complicates the | | | | Most children with ADD or ADHD are just as intelligent |
| process of distinguishing between the two. Both types | | | | as those without such disabilities, but simply don't have |
| of disorders share a similar host of symptoms, but | | | | the skills necessary to concentrate on one task for a |
| should be regarded individually. Some of the possible | | | | sustained period of time. Varying the volume and pitch |
| signs of ADD and ADHD include: | | | | of your voice may aid in keeping a child with ADD or |
| 1. Problems with memory | | | | ADHD focused. |
| These include disorganization and forgetfulness. Those | | | | ADD and ADHD are two of the most common |
| with organization issues may constantly lose important | | | | childhood disorders in the United States. In order to |
| personal items, such as their textbooks or house keys. | | | | make an accurate diagnosis, a child must meet with a |
| Others who have trouble recalling or retrieving | | | | psychiatrist who specializes in ADD and ADHD. The |
| information may often forget to finish their tasks, like | | | | psychiatrist then makes an assessment and talks with |
| chores or homework. In both cases, the short-term | | | | the child's parents and teachers, who must complete a |
| memory is the area that is most affected. Using | | | | behavioral inventory. All other possibilities must be ruled |
| additional cues-sound or pictures, for example-may | | | | out before diagnosing a child with ADD or ADHD. |
| help children to remember things more easily. This | | | | If a child is diagnosed as having ADD or ADHD, there |
| explains why people often have an easier time | | | | are a variety of treatment options available, including |
| remembering the plots of movies that they've seen | | | | medicine, therapy, and a combination of the two. |
| than those of books that they've read. | | | | Parents of children with ADD and ADHD must be |
| 2. Problems with impulse control | | | | willing to work closely with their child's psychiatrist to |
| This is demonstrated by what may seem to at first to | | | | find a system of treatment that suits their child. They |
| be behavioral problems, such as restlessness, | | | | should also keep their child as informed as possible |
| impatience, and talking out of turn. However, these are | | | | every step of the way, no matter how young they |
| in fact cognitive issues that have little to do with a | | | | may be. |