The best magazine
Attention Deficit Disorder in a Child - What to Look for?
In the past, some parents had complained that some of their kids were very hard-headed, very hyperactive and were finding it hard to learn.
Through the years, as medical technologies and developments find many breakthroughs and newly defined conditions, the term Attention Deficit Disorder has emerged to be one of the most popular behavioral conditions evident among children.
Now, it is estimated that in the United States alone, about 3% to 5% of the entire population is believed to be suffering from ADD.
What is ADD? Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or sometimes called Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition that usually manifests among children aged four years and above.
Unfortunately, ADD is being considered as a psychological disorder to which no cure is found or developed yet.
Several studies conducted all over the world show that ADD tends to appear four times more likely among boys.
Initial explanations on the findings state that that may be because boys are naturally maturing slower compared to girls, physically and mentally wise.
Some also assert that ADD is further made more intense when such boys are put into classes with girls of their age.
Thus, in usual set ups, boys with ADD will be apparently more hyperactive and easily irritated when compared to girls.
Another concern over ADD is the cure.
While it is a common fact that no definite treatment for the disorder has been developed and found yet, there are several drugs that claim to help ADD patients overcome the condition.
There is also one concern about ADD.
Often, ADD is being mistaken for hypoglycemia, which is a blood sugar level medical problem.
When a child is diagnosed with hypoglycemia, there is a constant and significant mood swing, which is also basically characterized in ADD.
Such mood swing for hypoglycemia results from the constant movement of insulin levels in the blood.
Symptoms of ADD The general symptoms of ADD are forgetfulness, impulsiveness, distractibility and hyperactivity.
However, because such symptoms are easily manifesting from other behavioral and physiological medical conditions, it would wiser if other specific symptoms would be identified.
Here are some other specific symptoms that could indicate ADD: oFailure to concentrate on a specific task.
ADD patients normally exhibit difficulties in retaining focus especially when they are left to do certain tasks.
For example, if a child is tasked to assemble a simple toy, he would not be able to finish the activity but would be quick to jump to another different activity.
This condition is the main reason why ADD is called as such: there is attention deficiency.
It means that it would be hard to engage the child into doing one task at a time.
The child tends to do several activities at one time, but never gets to finish any one due to impatience.
oThe child finds it hard to listen intently when someone is speaking to him.
Often, the child may seem to be listening, but looking through the eyes, you could tell that his mind is wandering somewhere else.
Also, when asked what was told to him, the child would not figure out exactly what was the message conveyed to him, though he may be aware of the subject.
oA child diagnosed with ADD is also easily distracted.
That is the main reason why the child would really struggle to finish any given task and would find it hard to intently listen whenever someone speaks to him.
oThere are times when the child also finds it really hard to sleep at night.
That is because there are too many thoughts and ideas going through his mind.
Because of the child's inability to focus, there are too many thoughts on his mind that he often can't handle them all at once.
oThere is regular forgetfulness.
Often, the child forgets important belongings somewhere like books, notebooks and other stuff.
This forgetfulness also is the cause why such children can never complete home works on their own.
They forget that there are home works, or they forget to take note of the assignments.
oThe child is easily frustrated.
Such symptoms are generalized and are the most often manifestations of ADD in children.
When all of these symptoms are present in your child, immediately seek professional help so you could address any concerns.
In some cases, ADD can be outgrown, but often, they stay with the person until adulthood.
Early diagnosis and expert assistance would help lessen the possibility of complete adverse effect to the child's overall being.
Source: ...