| Abnormally high hyperactivity levels in children (and | | | | The treatment of ADD calls for a "team" approach in |
| adults as well) can sometimes be a symptom of a | | | | order to handle it properly. Parents, health |
| condition known as Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD. | | | | professionals, and sometimes psychological and |
| With time, this term has become a way to understand | | | | speech professionals must all work together to help a |
| something that used to be known as simple | | | | child or adult with ADD learn to function better. Having |
| hyperactivity or misbehavior in the "old days". Many | | | | a plan that allows for a consistent and stable approach |
| people interchange this term with Attention Deficit | | | | to the problem will help the child most. Strict discipline is |
| Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), which isn't far off the | | | | not the answer, as the child has done nothing wrong. |
| mark, but refers to other symptoms as well. | | | | The behavior of the child should never be thought of |
| Affecting between five and twenty percent of children, | | | | as deliberate or willful with this disorder. |
| ADD is not specifically a childhood problem, as many | | | | Getting the child to handle small tasks and offering |
| children who suffer with this disorder continue to have | | | | frequent praise for any positive actions is reassuring |
| problems well into their adult years. The symptoms of | | | | and helpful to the child. Try to avoid having too many |
| adult ADD, however, are generally not as marked as | | | | parts to the task required of the child. Simple and |
| during childhood-- generally because the sufferer has | | | | easy-to-accomplish tasks will work best. Writing down |
| learned to cope with their disorder over time. Boys are | | | | the details of the task or even having the child do this |
| usually affected ten times more often than girls. | | | | is always helpful and allows them to focus on the task |
| Some typical behaviors associated with Attention | | | | at hand. |
| Deficit Disorder can include: | | | | Having the child repeat back what you ask them to do |
| - Having trouble concentrating on school work | | | | is not only a way to check that they understand the |
| - Being easily distracted when working on a task | | | | request, but also allows them to focus on what they |
| - Easily forgetting simple instructions for tasks | | | | should be doing. |
| - Daydreaming frequently | | | | Trying to always have eye-to-eye contact with the |
| - Rarely finishing tasks assigned | | | | child will force a focus on the task being requested. |
| - A marked rise in impulsive or unpredictable behavior | | | | You can set a specified time for the child to have the |
| - An inability to sit still for a period of time | | | | task completed and always remember to praise every |
| - A constant need to have the attention of others | | | | positive aspect of the child's behavior. Encourage the |
| The persistence of any of these symptoms may be | | | | child to find a quiet area in which to try and accomplish |
| cause to consult with your family doctor about ADD | | | | small, manageable tasks. This will help him or her to |
| testing. This condition has now been shown to be a | | | | focus on what needs to be done. Teach the child how |
| hereditary condition, caused by a chemical imbalance in | | | | to store their favorite items (such as toys and games), |
| the neurotransmitters within the brain. These chemicals | | | | in areas where they'll be safe and always in the same |
| are responsible for sending messages around the brain | | | | place. This will help to provide a consistency to their |
| and they essentially control how we function and | | | | personal corner of the world. |
| behave. | | | | |