Signs & Symptoms of ADD in Kids
- Attention Deficit Disorder Explained

The first step is understanding that hyperactivity is not synonymous with Attention Deficit Disorder. While a child may exhibit an increased level of activity with this disorder, it is not an inherent factor of ADD.

On the other hand, there are certain characteristics that are prevalent in a child with ADD, such as inattentiveness, impulsiveness, and being easily distracted.

Inattentiveness and distractibility go hand and hand. A child with ADD may have a difficult time staying on task, completing activities, and paying attention to details. While these may seem common traits among children, an ADD child will exhibit extreme behavior more so than children of the same age.

Impulsiveness also is a common trait among children with ADD. Often paired with hyperactivity, a child may suddenly bolt from their chair to observe what is taking place across the classroom. On the other hand, a child may also exhibit impulsive behavior that does not show signs of hyperactivity, such as blurting out answers in a classroom setting.

Boys and girls tend to behave differently with ADD. While both genders will typically be hypersensitive to sight, sounds, and physical stimuli, boys tend to be more hyperactive and girls more inattentive. They also both seem to become unmanageable and unruly with over-stimulation, sometimes to the point of aggressiveness and abusiveness. This is of particular importance to parents of a child with ADD, as these prove to be more difficult times of control.

It is important, however, to understand that all children are different. No two children will behave exactly the same in any given circumstance. Just because your child behaves more aggressively than other children, does not necessarily mean they have ADD. Diagnosis from a physician or specialist is necessary to determine if Attention Deficit Disorder is present.

Living With ADD - What To Expect

As a child, symptoms of ADD are inattentiveness, impulsiveness, distractability, and often hyperactivity. Interestingly, this does not change that much with age. However, the ability to deal with these symptoms may improve dramatically.

Whether you choose to take medication for your disorder is one deciding factor in how ADD will affect your life. You may wish to discuss with your doctor the long term implications of taking stimulants and other common ADD medications. If you choose to take medications, it may be easier for you to deal with the disorder. However, behaviour therapy may also be utilized.

Certain characteristics you may expect in your lifetime are difficulty in paying close attention to detail, inability to remain immobile for any length of time, fidgeting, or an inability to follow through and complete tasks. These are all traits common of ADD.

However, there are certain things you can do to improve your skills in the areas typically impacted by ADD. For example, utilizing an organizer will do wonders in keeping things in order and manageable. While book calendar systems are very effective, you may want to try the more technologically advanced digital organizers or personal assistants. They work wonders in keeping you organized. The important thing is to train yourself to utilize such a device to keep up with important information and scheduling.

You should also try to utilize schedules and routines as much as possible. You will inherently be forgetful and scatterbrained; by implementing a system of order, you will act out of habit, which leaves less room for error. The more you can do by automation, the better.

You may also want to seek support groups or at least companionship from other people like you. You may have difficult times that you want to discuss with someone that can truly relate to your situation. While other friends and family will listen and offer support they may not be able to understand you in the same manner another person with ADD would.

Is ADD A Learning Disability?

A person with ADD, however, has no problems perceiving or interpreting information. Therefore, it does not qualify as a learning disability.

Although it is often jumbled in with the mass of “disabilities”, ADD actually does not hinder the process of learning. A child with ADD can intake information, process it accordingly, and preserve it in memory, just like any other person. The problem comes with getting them to pay attention long enough to hear the information in the first place!

A child with Attention Deficit Disorder may have difficulties in school and with learning in general, but it is not due to a learning disability. Often, when a child is treated for ADD, their academic performance improves by leaps and bounds. On the other hand, an individual with ADD may not have any difficulty in learning at all; this will vary by person.

However, while ADD is not a learning disability, it is often accompanied by one or many. Some children, particularly at the preschool age, may have difficulty interpreting sounds or words and may also have speech issues. Older children may have problems spelling and reading, writing, and arithmetic disorders may arise. Likewise, dyslexia, a reading disorder, is common in children with ADD. However, none of these disabilities is inherent to Attention Deficit Disorder. While some children may have them, many will not.

Whereas ADD may cause difficulty in learning, steps may be taken to help the child perform well in spite of the disorder. Most ADD children do better with a schedule – the exact same thing, day in and day out. Because they may have problems with memory retention and are easily distracted, this helps them stay on track, because they are acting out of habit.

The same goes for organization; a set way to do things and places to put things makes it easier to remember and stay on course. On the same token, teaching the child to utilize organizational binders and planners also helps them stay organized and keep up with important assignments.

During class time, it helps if an interactive approach is taken as opposed to a lecturing style – this keeps the child’s attention better and decreases the likelihood of distractions. The most important thing is to not make ADD a crutch for the child; they can grow and be successful, even with this disorder.

About The Author: Sarah is an acclaimed writer on medical matters, and has written extensively on the subjects of Attention Deficit Disorder, Bird Flu and Cohn’s Disease. For more of her articles, go to http://www.imedicalvillage.com now.

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