| Description | | | | speak |
| | | | |
| A few decades ago, a child who couldn't sit | | | | Often talks excessively |
| still and wouldn't pay attention in class was | | | | |
| called "hyper," or worse, a "problem child." | | | | Frequently loses things |
| Today, the same youngster might be diagnosed | | | | |
| with attention deficit disorder (ADD), also | | | | Difficulty following directions |
| known as attention deficit hyperactivity | | | | |
| disorder(ADHD). The condition basically | | | | Shifts from one unfinished task to another |
| describes a person's inability to | | | | |
| concentrate-on sitting still, on a lesson | | | | Inability to play or sit quietly |
| given in class, on reading a book, on what | | | | |
| someone else is saying, and so on. Demanding | | | | Impulsive personality |
| that a person with ADD pay attention will not | | | | |
| work, nor will punishment. It's not known | | | | Inability to organize thoughts, toys, work |
| exactly why a person with ADD has such | | | | space |
| difficulty focusing. | | | | |
| | | | Conventional Medical Treatment |
| The cause of ADD is also unknown. Prominent | | | | |
| theories include heredity, lead poisoning, | | | | If left untreated, ADD can isolate a |
| allergies to food additives, brain injuries | | | | sufferer, whose behavior may unintentionally |
| incurred by the child during the mother's | | | | frighten people. There is also a connection |
| pregnancy (perhaps the mother was in an | | | | between untreated attention deficit disorder |
| accident, smoked cigarettes, or used drugs or | | | | and parental abuse, failure at school, and |
| alcohol), oxygen deprivation during birth, or | | | | low selfesteem. Thus, if you suspect that you |
| head trauma as an infant. ADD affects many | | | | or your child may have attention deficit |
| more males than females. | | | | disorder, a trip to your physician is in |
| | | | order. To arrive at a diagnosis of ADD, your |
| ADD typically appears before the age of | | | | doctor conducts a series of physical and |
| seven; however, it isn't limited to children. | | | | neurological examinations as well as |
| Some children do outgrow it, but many more do | | | | behavioral observation. The doctor also |
| not, meaning many adults are afflicted with | | | | requests a detailed history of early |
| the disorder. | | | | childhood development. Treatment for ADD |
| | | | includes behavior modification techniques, |
| Signs and Symptoms | | | | avoiding overstimulation, providing a |
| | | | consistent daily routine, and avoiding sugar |
| Difficulty sustaining attention | | | | and food additives, which are believed to |
| | | | contribute to hyperactivity. In more severe |
| Easily distracted | | | | cases, a drug may be prescribed to help |
| | | | reduce hyperactivity. Methylphenidate |
| Fidgeting and physical restlessness | | | | (Ritalin) is the most common of these, but |
| | | | pemoline (Cylert) is also used. These |
| Has difficulty allowing others to speak | | | | medications decrease motor activity and |
| without interrupting | | | | increase attention span in children. Side |
| | | | effects, such as insomnia and weight loss, |
| Doesn't appear to listen to others when they | | | | are rare. |