FILLER: What is ~? #1.

What is ATTENTION DEFICITY DISORDER (ADD)?


Marked more as a ‘difference’ than a ‘disability’, ADD affects children, giving them a reduced ability to do the following:-
Ø Maintain attention (poor concentration)
Ø Control doing or saying something without thinking first
Ø Regulate the amount of physical activity appropriate to the situation (hyperactivity)
Ø Be motivated to listen to people in authority

It can change the way children behave, think and feel. It is more common in boys, but girls can suffer from it too.

Here are some of the things to look out for in your infant son or daughter:-
Ø Extreme restlessness
Ø Constant thirst
Ø Difficulty in feeding
Ø Frequent tantrums and head banging
And in older children:-
Ø Poor concentration and brief attention span
Ø Increased activity
Ø Acts impulsively
Ø Fearless and takes risks
Ø Poor coordination
Ø Weak short term memory
Ø Inflexible personality
Ø Lacks self-esteem
Ø Sleep and appetite problems




Now it might seem to you that every child goes through all of these regularly – ADD can begin at 2 or over, and can be a lifelong condition (it is thought).

A class of 30 might have one child with the condition, and a child with the deficit can be disruptive in the classroom.

If your child is NOT diagnosed accurately and early, you will probably experience a lot of frustration at the child’s behaviour – this will probably turn to anger, and the child may develop feelings of poor self-esteem which could affect the child throughout his life.

Information from school could help you get professional evaluation of your child by an expert in children’s developmental and behavioural issues.

This should lead to assisting the child in the understanding of his weaknesses, and his strengths, and your understanding as a parent. This will lead to problem solving activities that can show you and your child the way to go – giving him a feeling of self-control, which in turn will lead to him getting his self-esteem back.

Don’t ignore symptoms displayed by your child – if you think s/he might be suffering, get professional help – don’t feel embarrassment or shame – this deficit affects millions of children.
Robert L. Fielding