ADD and ADHD are two abbreviated terms that refer to children affected by particular behavioural problems.
ADD means Attention Deficit Disorder while ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.
Children are diagnosed with these conditions when they exhibit unusually difficult behaviour at home and at school.
ADD/ADHD is believed to affect up to 5% of school aged children and is more prevalent in boys than in girls.
ADD/ADHD has a few classic symptoms that will often become apparent before school age.
Hyperactive and impulsive behaviour are usually first to be recognised because children are unusually difficult to handle.
Such children seem not to develop a sense of danger and need to be kept under tight reign in places like the street and in supermarkets etc.
These children seem not to learn from repeated scolding over their actions and although may be contrite for a while, they forget about it very quickly and soon move on to something else.
Children who behave like this are deemed ADHD rather than ADD.
Some children are not necessarily hyper and can exhibit symptoms seem rather lethargic.
They may seem somewhat dreamy and unresponsive.
Children may have a short attention span and will not sit for long doing one thing.
Rather than jump about however, they may just slip into a world of their own or appear aimless in their movements.
Children who behave like this may be ADD but it is quite common for ADD/ADHD children to display a combination of both kinds of behaviour.
It is very common for ADD/ADHD children to have associated problems with social skills.
Their hyperactive or withdrawn behaviour makes it difficult for them to interact normally with other children.
Some ADHD children are prone to extreme loudness and aggressiveness.
Others might disrespect concepts of ownership and can be destructive of toys etc.
These traits further alienate other children and without positive interaction with a peer group and ADD/ADHD child might miss out on valuable social lessons.
Parents should try to be on hand to help their child play properly.
Constant naughtiness means that ADD/ADHD children are forever being reprimanded by adults.
Their difficult behaviour becomes reinforced by being constantly reminded how bad they are.
Parents need to be firm and provide a structured environment but they should avoid this negative cycle.
The child could end up missing out on crucial socialisation elements that take place at a young age and are learned from adults around them.
The causes of ADD/ADHD are uncertain although there do appear to be some correlating factors that often exist along side cases of the condition.
For example, children with ADHD very often have a relative who also has the condition..
This would suggest that there is a genetic element involved in predisposition.
A higher rate of ADD/ADHD cases are diagnosed in children whose mothers were heavy smokers or abused drugs during pregnancy.
Neurological findings have suggested that there may be some brain abnormalities in areas that affect self control and concentration.
It can be difficult to specifically identify ADD/ADHD in children because of the problems in distinguishing between the condition and relatively normal misbehaviour in children.
All children will at sometime be hyperactive, disobedient or unable to concentrate.
Parents should seek help if behaviour is extreme and persistent.
ADD and ADHD are treated by a combination of medications and behavioural therapy.
Early diagnosis is very important because with proper management, children are able to conduct a relatively normal life at school.
If left untreated ADD/ADHD tends to worsen as the child grows older.
If you are concerned that your child might be affected by ADD/ADHD do not be afraid to go for help.
ADD means Attention Deficit Disorder while ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.
Children are diagnosed with these conditions when they exhibit unusually difficult behaviour at home and at school.
ADD/ADHD is believed to affect up to 5% of school aged children and is more prevalent in boys than in girls.
ADD/ADHD has a few classic symptoms that will often become apparent before school age.
Hyperactive and impulsive behaviour are usually first to be recognised because children are unusually difficult to handle.
Such children seem not to develop a sense of danger and need to be kept under tight reign in places like the street and in supermarkets etc.
These children seem not to learn from repeated scolding over their actions and although may be contrite for a while, they forget about it very quickly and soon move on to something else.
Children who behave like this are deemed ADHD rather than ADD.
Some children are not necessarily hyper and can exhibit symptoms seem rather lethargic.
They may seem somewhat dreamy and unresponsive.
Children may have a short attention span and will not sit for long doing one thing.
Rather than jump about however, they may just slip into a world of their own or appear aimless in their movements.
Children who behave like this may be ADD but it is quite common for ADD/ADHD children to display a combination of both kinds of behaviour.
It is very common for ADD/ADHD children to have associated problems with social skills.
Their hyperactive or withdrawn behaviour makes it difficult for them to interact normally with other children.
Some ADHD children are prone to extreme loudness and aggressiveness.
Others might disrespect concepts of ownership and can be destructive of toys etc.
These traits further alienate other children and without positive interaction with a peer group and ADD/ADHD child might miss out on valuable social lessons.
Parents should try to be on hand to help their child play properly.
Constant naughtiness means that ADD/ADHD children are forever being reprimanded by adults.
Their difficult behaviour becomes reinforced by being constantly reminded how bad they are.
Parents need to be firm and provide a structured environment but they should avoid this negative cycle.
The child could end up missing out on crucial socialisation elements that take place at a young age and are learned from adults around them.
The causes of ADD/ADHD are uncertain although there do appear to be some correlating factors that often exist along side cases of the condition.
For example, children with ADHD very often have a relative who also has the condition..
This would suggest that there is a genetic element involved in predisposition.
A higher rate of ADD/ADHD cases are diagnosed in children whose mothers were heavy smokers or abused drugs during pregnancy.
Neurological findings have suggested that there may be some brain abnormalities in areas that affect self control and concentration.
It can be difficult to specifically identify ADD/ADHD in children because of the problems in distinguishing between the condition and relatively normal misbehaviour in children.
All children will at sometime be hyperactive, disobedient or unable to concentrate.
Parents should seek help if behaviour is extreme and persistent.
ADD and ADHD are treated by a combination of medications and behavioural therapy.
Early diagnosis is very important because with proper management, children are able to conduct a relatively normal life at school.
If left untreated ADD/ADHD tends to worsen as the child grows older.
If you are concerned that your child might be affected by ADD/ADHD do not be afraid to go for help.