Today, more and
more people are being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), a
condition that causes a lack of motivation, concentration, difficulty sleeping,
trouble maintaining friendships and relationships, impulsiveness, and a number
of other symptoms that manifest themselves as inattentiveness. These
individuals typically have trouble planning or following through with plans,
they cannot focus, and they spend excessive time trying to complete a simple
task, and so on. As you can imagine, someone with ADD struggles with everyday
life. In this article, we will talk specifically about Attention Deficit
Disorder symptoms to watch for.
For a confirmed
diagnosis, doctors use a specific checklist to determine Attention Deficit
Disorder symptoms. With the results, they can tell if this is the problem of if
something else is going on. The table listed below is the same list used by
healthcare professionals when it comes to identifying ADD. Keep in mind that
the symptoms will manifest themselves in varying manners and degrees. In other
words, the child’s behavior is significantly different from that of another
child his or her age.
|
Does
not pay close attention to detail or makes careless mistakes in
school |
Has
trouble with tasks or joining in activities |
|
Does
not listen well when spoken to directly |
Does
not follow through on instructions |
|
Fails
to complete homework or chore, or takes an excessive amount of time
to do so |
Has
difficulty with organization |
|
Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to engage in activities that
require ongoing mental effort |
Looses or misplaces things |
|
Is
easily distracted |
Shows
the tendency of being forgetful |
Typically, the
doctor when looking at Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms will look at a list
of 14 specific symptoms provided by the American Psychiatric Association. For a
child to have a firm diagnosis, the child must have a minimum of eight of these
symptoms. Just remember that regardless of the Attention Deficit Disorder
symptoms your child displays, the most important thing is getting him or her
help needed to control the symptoms. Most often, treatment will include
medication along with various forms of therapy. However, the parent’s role and
the role of the teacher play huge roles in the success of the treatment. The
child will need a tremendous amount of support and understanding. Above all,
the child needs you to be patient and realize that not all behaviors are
intentional or controlled.
Once the
Attention Deficit Disorders have been looked at and the diagnosis made, you can
feel optimistic that your child will get better. With the right treatment, you
will begin to notice your child paying attention better, completing tasks
correctly and on time, becoming more organized, not getting bored so easily, and
developing friendships. Instead of homework time being an agonizing event, it
becomes much easier and more enjoyable for the teacher, the parents, and the
child. Remember that treating ADD is a long-term commitment but with
dedication, consistency, determination, and proper intervention, your child can
get better and stay better.
ADD
A to Z: