| ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder, has been largely | | | | guidance. This in turn gives them good self-esteem.The |
| misunderstood. Most people think that a child who | | | | cause of ADD is not fully known. It is biological and has |
| cannot be still, is impulsive and always moving around | | | | heredity links. Possible causes could be environmental |
| has ADD, but did you know that a child that is shy, | | | | and research is ongoing in this area. Some research |
| withdrawn and has difficulty concentrating can also | | | | has linked pregnant women who smoke, premature |
| have ADD?In reality, ADHD, Attention Deficit | | | | birth, low birth weight and infant brain injuries to ADD in |
| Hyperactivity Disorder, is what is diagnosed the most. | | | | children. Some research states that too much |
| These are the children that are loud; talk constantly, | | | | television watching at a young age can cause |
| cannot sit still and have difficulty with schoolwork and | | | | ADD.There are various treatments for ADD/ADHD. |
| organization. These children are more readily | | | | Behavior therapy and medication can work together to |
| diagnosed because they are the "problem" children. | | | | manage the ADD. Doctor's, parents and teachers |
| The children with ADD and without hyperactivity are | | | | must all work together to help the child in ADD |
| often overlooked because they are shy and | | | | management. Some people just want to medicate the |
| withdrawn.Some ADD characteristics are shy, | | | | child, but without behavior therapy and support, the |
| withdrawn, socially inept, sluggish, obedient, | | | | medication alone will not be a "magic bullet".The child |
| non-assertive, overly polite, disorganization, | | | | needs a daily routine, such as awakening and bedtime, |
| daydreaming, careless errors in schoolwork, difficulty | | | | scheduled work and play time. Avoid all distractions |
| following instructions and a tendency to lose things; | | | | while doing homework and organize all clothing, toys |
| while ADHD characteristics are physically hyperactive, | | | | and books. Do not over stimulate the child by giving |
| impulsive, loud, rebellious, showing off, interrupting, | | | | them many choices; one or two is fine. Also limit any |
| difficulty waiting, excessive running and difficulty | | | | instructions so the child does not get frustrated. Use a |
| bonding with others. The most common is a | | | | goals and rewards chart, such as a chore list with a |
| combination of the two sets of characteristics.There | | | | place for a sticker when completed. Use removal of |
| are various techniques, along with or instead of | | | | privileges or toys and time outs as discipline; never |
| medication that can be implemented to help the child | | | | yelling or spanking.There are many "alternative |
| with ADD or ADHD. They need to have time after an | | | | treatments" which have not been evaluated by the |
| emotional incident to calm down and regroup. Try not | | | | FDA or researched scientifically at all. Be careful of |
| to criticize or correct the child too much as it might | | | | cure-all "wonder vitamins" as they are probably not |
| cause self-esteem issues. The parent or teacher | | | | going to work. Take things slowly, try behavior |
| needs to find one thing that the child excels at and | | | | modification first and then if the child needs more help, |
| complement them on it. Structure and organization are | | | | see a physician about medication. Remember to |
| a must for the child with ADD/ADHD. An organized | | | | always be patient and tell your child how much you |
| and structured home environment will help the child be | | | | love him! |
| able to find things and function without a lot of | | | | |