Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADD/ADHD
(contd.)

What is Attention Deficit Disorder?

Some children have more trouble paying attention in class and completing academic assignments than others. It is estimated that from 3 to 10 percent of the population has a condition known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This disorder is said to be found present more often in boys than girls (3:1).

Not every student having trouble completing assignments or who is squirmy and disruptive to the class has Attention Deficit Disorder. This is particularly true in the lower grades where many of the students have not reached a level of maturity sufficient to meet the demands of the classroom. Some studies have found that a first grade teacher may rate as many as 50% of the boys in the class as having Attention Deficit Disorder using common clinical questionnaires. Thus, educators may mislabel behavior as being abnormal when it actually may be within the low end of normal development.

Actually, normal attention span seems to develop in three stages. First, the child’s attention is said to be overly exclusive. This is a term used by psychologists to describe attention that is focused on a single object for a long period of time while tuning out all other stimuli. An example of this would be a baby who focuses totally on a button or a pin on the clothing of the person holding him. A child whose attention becomes stuck at this stage of development might be diagnosed as having autism.

Second, a child’s attention develops to where it is overly inclusive. This refers to a very wide span of attention that is constantly and rapidly changing from one object to another such as a toddler who is running from one toy to the next never able to stay with any one toy for any period of time. A child who is stuck at the second stage of attention span development might be diagnosed as having attention deficit disorder.

Third, the child develops selective attention where he is able to shift focus at will from being inclusive to being very exclusive. This is a mature pattern of attention and concentration that is required to be successful in a classroom learning environment.

There are a variety of causes for poor attention, concentration and impulse control. A partial list would include the following:

• Immaturity and slow psychological development
• Learning disabilities such as dyslexia
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Low thyroid
• Low motivation
• Lack of sufficient sleep
• Poor nutrition
• Boredom due to lack of challenge

If your child has had the symptoms of poor attention, concentration and/or poor impulse control for some time, you should have your child examined by his physician. In addition to a physical exam and appropriate lab tests, the physician may have the parents and teachers complete questionnaires about the child’s behavior. He may also refer you to a school psychologist or a mental health professional for further assessment. Depending on the outcome of the entire evaluation, one or several specific medical, educational or psychological recommendations may be given.

[Click here for more information on symptoms and diagnostic criteria for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder]

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