ADD, or attention deficit disorder, is a condition that affects both adults and children. Symptoms will generally appear before the child is seven years old and diagnosis will take place at about the same time. It is a condition that makes it difficult for the child to control his behavior and can also affect his ability to focus and pay attention. If your child only shows a few symptoms occasionally, chances are it's normal childhood behavior. On the other hand, if he displays a majority of symptoms in nearly every situation at home, in school, and during play, you may want to consider having him examined by a doctor.
Significance
The symptoms of ADD are categorized in three ways: inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Each of these three categories has its own set of symptoms. A child does not need to display symptoms from all three categories to have or be diagnosed with ADD. In fact, many children may only be inattentive while others are hyperactive. However, because ADD has been associated with hyperactivity, children who display an inability to focus or poor judgment and impulsive behavior are often overlooked and go without diagnosis. It is important for parents to know what all the symptoms of this condition are so they can seek treatment for their children, no matter what form of ADD they suffer from.
Symptoms of Inattention
Most often a child with ADD will have the ability to pay attention when she is doing something she is interested in, but if she considers the topic boring or it is a repetitive task, she will tune it out quickly. Children with ADD have a tendency to not give enough attention to what they are doing, resulting in uncompleted tasks or tasks that have steps missing. Organization is another problem for children with ADD. They have difficulty organizing their time and their schoolwork, and are also easily distracted when something is going on around them.
Symptoms of Hyperactivity
Hyperactivity is the most obvious sign of ADD in a child. Even though most children are naturally active, children with ADD seem to be in constant motion. They may attempt to do many activities at one time and move from one activity to the next without stopping. Though it is difficult for them to sit still, if they are forced to, you may notice that one or more parts of their bodies are still moving. They may be tapping their fingers or bouncing their legs. No matter what, some part of their body will be in motion.
Symptoms of Impulsivity
The symptoms of impulsiveness that a ADD displays can wreak havoc with his sense of self-control. These symptoms may cause others around him to view him as being rude, weird or needy. He may have a tendency to interrupt when others are speaking and make rude observations about others around him without thinking. He may ask extremely personal questions without giving it a second thought or realizing they are wrong. Children with ADD are also inclined to bouts of moodiness and may overreact emotionally to situations.
Misconceptions
There are a few misconceptions about children with ADD and how the condition affects them. Perhaps one of the greatest misconceptions is that the child will outgrow the condition. Actually, ADD will often continue into adulthood. This is why it is important for parents to seek treatment for their child to help her learn to manage her symptoms. Another misconception is that the only way to treat ADD is by using medication. Though medication is the most common form of treatment, it may not always be the best treatment for your child. Other treatments such as diet modification, behavior therapy, a strong support system at both school and home and exercise may be just as effective.
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