What is ADD?

What is ADD? Attention deficit disorder (ADD) is a neurobiological disability characterized by attention skills that are developmentally inappropriate. This disorder includes behaviors such as inattentiveness, impulsivity and, in some cases, hyperactivity (referred to as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD).

The symptoms of ADD include:

• Inattentiveness - having a hard time keeping mentally focused on one thing and getting bored with a task after a few minutes.
• Impulsivity - being unable to curb immediate reactions or think before acting.
• Hyperactivity - always seeming to be in motion.

To be diagnosed as ADD, these behaviors must be frequent or more severe than in others the same age, continue for at least six months and start before age 7. ADD is a medical diagnosis. If you suspect that your child may have this disorder, clinicians recommend testing by:

• a neuropsychologist to examine the relationship between behavior and brain functions, and
• a pediatrician, neurologist or psychiatrist to determine if behaviors have roots in a medical or psychological condition.

Most major hospitals have multidisciplinary services to evaluate children for ADD and ADHD.

Managing Behavior
ADD is likely to affect many aspects of a child's life, including academic achievement and interactions with peers.

What can parents do? Most experts recommend treating the disorder by learning strategies to manage a child's behavior, advocating for an appropriate educational program, seeking individual and family counseling and using medication when required.

Experts agree that structuring a child's environment, teaching him or her organizational skills, educating family members about the disorder and working with schools can make a difference for children with ADD.

• Use concrete reminders, such as lists, alarm clocks and schedules.
• Consider a coach or tutor for schoolwork.
• Give responsibility whenever possible.
• Don't give too many commands at once.
• Teach your child not to interrupt your activities.
• Use fines or time-outs for "bad" behavior and use rewards, praise and positive feedback for good behavior. Negotiate, don't struggle.
• Break tasks into segments to make them easier.

To help children interact with peers, coach, model and role-play acceptable behaviors at home.

© The Boston Parents' Paper / Parenthood.com, used with permission.