| In the past, children that ignored their elders and | | | | hand, he may be suffering form ADD/ADHD. If your |
| could not seem to sit still were considered to be | | | | child gets bored with a task before it is complete or |
| rambunctious or out of control and were oftentimes | | | | makes mistakes and skips over details you may |
| punished for their behavior. Thanks to research and | | | | want to get him checked. If he is disorganized and |
| advances made in modern medicine, doctors have | | | | forgets things easily, these are also symptoms of the |
| discovered that children that display this kind of | | | | disorder. In conversations, an ADD/ADHD child will |
| behavior may be suffering form ADD (Attention | | | | have difficulty listening when an adult is speaking |
| Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit | | | | directly to them and oftentimes he will be unable to |
| Hyperactivity Disorder). | | | | maintain direct eye contact for any amount of time. |
| Both of these conditions are a neurological disorder | | | | Most children become diagnosed with ADD/ADHD |
| that affects a person's ability to control their | | | | once they have entered school as the symptoms |
| spontaneous responses. These responses include | | | | become much more apparent. In the classroom |
| movement, speech, and attentiveness. It is | | | | setting, this child may have difficulties listening to |
| estimated that 3 to 5 percent of children in the | | | | instructions and may be unable to focus his attention |
| United States suffers from ADD/ ADHD. In other | | | | on a task for a long enough period of time that it |
| words, in a normal elementary school class chances | | | | requires to complete that chore. He may have |
| are there is at least one child that has ADD/ADHD. | | | | trouble sitting without squirming and fidgeting and |
| The disorder occurs more frequently in boys and | | | | may talk excessively. The child may also try to |
| many parents who suffer from the disorder have | | | | answer questions before the teacher is done asking |
| children who also have it. | | | | them and can be generally disruptive in the learning |
| These disorders can be divided into three categories. | | | | environment. Keeping in close contact with your |
| In the first subdivision, the child is described as being | | | | child's teacher can help you quickly evaluate if your |
| predominately inattentive, which means that the child | | | | child may be suffering from ADD/ADHD. If you feel |
| has difficulty focusing on one thing or may just sit | | | | that your child may be suffering from ADD/ADHD, |
| there quietly with his mind being miles away. The | | | | you should consult your family doctor. Between you |
| second subdivision describes children as predominately | | | | and your doctor you should be able to come up with |
| hyperactive-impulsive. Children that fit into this | | | | the best treatment program for your child. |
| category are hyperactivity and also display problems | | | | There are some positive traits that ADD/ADHD |
| moving forward from one task to the next. The third | | | | children display. They tend to be more creative and |
| subdivision of ADD/ADHD is combined inattentive and | | | | mentally flexible. These children are also energetic and |
| hyperactive-impulsive. Children in this category display | | | | there is never a dull moment when you spend time |
| behaviors that are described in both of the other | | | | with them. Many of these children are also highly |
| subdivisions. You should keep in mind that all small | | | | intelligent and artistically gifted. |
| children display these symptoms from time to time. | | | | If your child is diagnosed with ADD/ADHD it is not |
| The children that display these symptoms on a daily | | | | the end of the world. Most of the negative |
| basis should be checked by your family doctor to | | | | symptoms are treatable through medication or |
| determine if ADD/ADHD is present. | | | | behavior management. As a parent, you can strive to |
| There are several symptoms that you as a parent | | | | encourage your child in the areas that interest him. |
| can look for to determine if your child may be | | | | By helping your child channel all his extra energy in |
| suffering from ADD/ADHD. You should observe your | | | | this manner, you may find that you have a future |
| child as he performs tasks or engages in | | | | Van Gogh or Einstein on your hands. It's something |
| conversations. If he becomes easily distracted or has | | | | to think about. |
| difficulty keeping his mind focused on the issue at | | | | |