Attention-Deficit Disorder
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) /Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (American Psychiatric Association, 1994), affects 3 to 5% of school age children. However, some studies suggest the percentage of students who are affected by ADD/ADHD is upwards of 8% of all school-aged children. The problems these students face affects their ability to learn, ability to focus and for some students who are challenged with hyperactivity and impulsivity feel the need to physically move their body continuously. This often leads to perceived misbehavior and behavior challenges. For the purposes of this paper, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) will be discussed and not to be confused with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity …show more content…
Students who are inattentive have no problems inhibiting their behavior, but struggle with inattentive. Students with inattentive have difficulty staying focused on a given activity or task. They are also easily distracted.
ADD is syndrome that can begin as early as infancy and can continue through adulthood. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) in order to diagnose a child with ADD the child must present with six or more of the nine possible attention span symptoms/criteria listed below. The symptoms should be apparent for more than six months and occur in more than two settings such as at home and at school. Children should be diagnosed between ages 6-12 years old. Some children may exhibit some of the listed symptoms, but may not have ADD. For this reason, a diagnosis for ADD should be completed by a licensed physician and not by school personnel. The following is a list of attentive criterion:
• Short attention span often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or …show more content…
Additionally students with ADD are 50% more likely to struggle with their symptoms through adulthood. It is also more common in boys than in girls. Sadly, there is no cure for ADD, however over time a person with ADD can learning coping skills and strategies to help lessen symptoms.
Treatment for ADD can include various medications and behavior therapy is often recommended. Medications prescribed are stimulants, which often have the opposite effect on students who have ADD. Rather than the child present with increased stimulation, the child will be calmer and most often will be able to focus better in school. Stimulants however have side effects such as loss of appetite, weight loss, insomnia and irritability. Some parents choose to self-medicate their child by giving them coffee as a delivering a stimulant to help the child without having to take a prescribed
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) /Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) (American Psychiatric Association, 1994), affects 3 to 5% of school age children. However, some studies suggest the percentage of students who are affected by ADD/ADHD is upwards of 8% of all school-aged children. The problems these students face affects their ability to learn, ability to focus and for some students who are challenged with hyperactivity and impulsivity feel the need to physically move their body continuously. This often leads to perceived misbehavior and behavior challenges. For the purposes of this paper, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) will be discussed and not to be confused with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity …show more content…
Students who are inattentive have no problems inhibiting their behavior, but struggle with inattentive. Students with inattentive have difficulty staying focused on a given activity or task. They are also easily distracted.
ADD is syndrome that can begin as early as infancy and can continue through adulthood. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) in order to diagnose a child with ADD the child must present with six or more of the nine possible attention span symptoms/criteria listed below. The symptoms should be apparent for more than six months and occur in more than two settings such as at home and at school. Children should be diagnosed between ages 6-12 years old. Some children may exhibit some of the listed symptoms, but may not have ADD. For this reason, a diagnosis for ADD should be completed by a licensed physician and not by school personnel. The following is a list of attentive criterion:
• Short attention span often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or …show more content…
Additionally students with ADD are 50% more likely to struggle with their symptoms through adulthood. It is also more common in boys than in girls. Sadly, there is no cure for ADD, however over time a person with ADD can learning coping skills and strategies to help lessen symptoms.
Treatment for ADD can include various medications and behavior therapy is often recommended. Medications prescribed are stimulants, which often have the opposite effect on students who have ADD. Rather than the child present with increased stimulation, the child will be calmer and most often will be able to focus better in school. Stimulants however have side effects such as loss of appetite, weight loss, insomnia and irritability. Some parents choose to self-medicate their child by giving them coffee as a delivering a stimulant to help the child without having to take a prescribed