| ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) also | | | | Symptoms of Inattentiveness: |
| known as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is defined | | | | * Failure to give close attention to details |
| as a syndrome that is usually characterized by a short | | | | * Careless mistakes in schoolwork |
| attention span, inattentiveness, poor concentration, | | | | * Difficulty sustaining attention |
| over-activity, impulsivity, or a combination of these | | | | * Appears not to be listening when spoken to directly |
| things. Symptoms appear to begin in early childhood | | | | * Difficulty organizing tasks |
| and can persist into adulthood. | | | | * Easily distracted and often forgetful |
| While ADHD is often genetic, the root cause is not fully | | | | Symptoms of Hyperactivity: |
| known or understood. Whatever the specific cause, it | | | | * Fidgets with feet and hands or squirms in seat |
| seems to appear early in life as the brain is developing. | | | | * Runs around or climbs on things inappropriately |
| Studies have suggested that the brains of children | | | | * Difficulty playing quietly |
| diagnosed with ADHD are significantly different from | | | | * Excessive talking |
| those of other children. Neurotransmitters such as | | | | Symptoms of Impulsivity: |
| adrenalin, dopamine, and seratonin seem to be handled | | | | * Interrupts others |
| differently in the brains of ADHD children. | | | | * Blurts out answers before questions are completed |
| Many children are misdiagnosed with ADHD every | | | | ADHD is a frustrating problem for parents as well as |
| year. This is why every child suspected of having | | | | the sufferer, and unfortunately many parents are very |
| ADD or ADHD should be carefully evaluated to | | | | quick to jump on the pharmaceutical bandwagon in an |
| determine exactly what is contributing to the | | | | attempt to "cure" their child. Positive effects of these |
| suspected behaviors. The Diagnostic and Statistical | | | | drugs include a calming of the central nervous system, |
| Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American | | | | while the negatives include possible addiction. And |
| Psychiatric Association divides the symptoms of ADD | | | | some ADHD drugs have been linked to sudden death |
| and ADHD into three categories: Inattentiveness, | | | | in children with heart problems. This is why it is so |
| Hyperactivity, and Impulsivity. Some of the symptoms | | | | important to get all the facts before implementing any |
| in each category include: | | | | type of treatment for ADD or ADHD. |