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