Attention Deficit Disorder
According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA) (1994), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD or ADHD) is a diagnosis given to children and adults who display certain characteristic behaviors on a consistent basis over an extended period of time. The most common behaviors that characterize ADD include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
According to statistics, people living with ADHD experience a continuous movement of sounds, images, and thoughts, similar to a fast-paced kaleidoscope (Johnson, 2002). ADD victims are easily bored yet are unable to concentrate. They are easily distracted and tend to daydream. The following statement describes the behavior of a typical child who suffers from ADD or ADHD: "Tommy can't sit still. He is disruptive at school with his constant talking and clowning around. He leaves the classroom without the teacher's permission. Although he has above-average intelligence, Tommy has trouble reading and writing. When he talks, the words come out so fast no one understands him" (Rees, 1994, p. 311).
As our knowledge of Attention Deficit Disorder increases, we are learning that ADD is more than just a disorder of childhood (Richardson, 1999). ADD is a life-long condition, as children with ADD grow up to be adults with ADD. ADD victims have relationships, children, and create families with many people. Thus, it is essential to treat children and adults with ADD, and their entire families.
The Importance of Treatment
It is widely believed that ADD runs in families (Richardson, 1999). Estimations show that there is a 30% chance that a child with ADD has at least one parent with ADD. There is also a 30% chance that the same child will have a sibling with ADD. According to Richardson, "Living in a family with ADD can be like living in a five ring circus. There is always someone or something that demands attention."
Parents naturally want to support their children and are often willing to sacrifice their needs for the needs of their children. The problem with this is that it is hard for people with ADD to provide consistent parenting for any child, let alone a child with ADD.
Families with ADD are prone to physical and verbal...
Attention Deficit Disorder or in short ADD, is a condition wherein a person cannot concentrate on a thing that he is doing and a person who is very energetic when compared to other people. They are sometimes called an extra ordinary person because they possess a different kind of behavior that is quite distinguishable. They are also very impulsive because they react to things drastically and often times restless. The
Attention Deficit Disorder: Yes, It Does Exist The existence of the syndrome that has come to be known in recent decades as either Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (ADHD, as opposed to ADD, is Attention Deficit Disorder with hyperactive symptoms) (Hallowell and Ratey, 1994; Wender, 1995; Barkley, 1997) was first identified in 1937 when Dr. Charles Bradley, discovered "effective treatment of children with stimulants ("Does ADHD
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are both genetically transmitted behavioral and neurological conditions that most often manifest themselves in childhood and may continue into adulthood. Walters notes ADHD is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, affecting approximately three to ten percent of all school-aged children. Brown further fine tunes this number, citing a U.S. Centers for Disease Control study which found that
(Bower, 129) The Hyperactivity involves fiddling with hands or feet or squirms in seat; does not continue seating when is expected to; excessive running or climbing considered not appropriate in adolescence and adults; feelings of restlessness; find it hard to play quietly; seems to be continuously on the move and talks excessively. Impulsivity includes blurts out answers prior to the question has been completed; becomes impatient waiting his turn; interruption
" Symptoms of ADHD include poor impulse control, carelessness, oppositional behaviors, not following rules. These same symptoms are often cited as manifestations of giftedness (Hartnett, 2006). One of the hallmark symptoms of ADHD is social problems (Chamberlain, 2003). Children with ADHD often have trouble with impulse control, keeping their hands to themselves and other things that make them unpopular. While many children with these issues may have ADHD these symptoms can also be
ADD/ADHD Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are both behavioral illnesses that are affecting a growing number of children and teenagers. Currently, more boys than girls are diagnosed with ADHD. A number of adults are also being diagnosed with adult-onset ADHD. Furthermore, an estimated one-third of children diagnosed with ADHD will continue to have symptoms until adulthood (Weyandt et al. 2003). Through greater exposure in the media and
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