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ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder, formerly called Hyperactivity, is a complicated disorder in children, especially among school age children. ADD is considered a learning disorder, like Autism and Dyslexia. ADD is also know as Hyperactivity and ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Is your child having trouble sitting quietly, completing school tasks, getting into trouble at school? If so, he or she may have ADD.
Children with ADD have short attention spans. They are easily distracted, and cannot sit still. They are very hyperactive. The cause of ADD is unknown. It is, however, believed to be hereditary, because it is usually seen in at least one parent's childhood, of an ADD child. ADD does seem to be more common in males, although females can have ADD also.
Often parents notice their preschooler's unusually active behavior. Then, in school, often a teacher, trained to recognize ADD, will contact you with her concerns. This may be the first step in getting assistance. A child is seen by their pediatrician. He will ask questions about the child's behavior and take a family history. Diagnosis is made upon these issues, as well as his observation of the child. Usually the child is put on Ritalin, which is a controlled substance drug, but is highly used and effective for controlling the symptoms of ADD. Some parents feel guilty giving their child a medication. But if the child has trouble concentrating and completing tasks and sitting still, the parent must realize that she is only helping her child. The Ritalin helps the misfiring electric impulses in the brain fire correctly. There are sometimes mild side effects to Ritalin, including headaches and stomach ache.
Your child's pediatrician may tell you to cut down or out sugar in your child's diet. Food dyes, additives and sugar can contribute to hyperactivity in children, and for an ADD child, it can amplify the problem much more.
It is debatable whether or not a child outgrows ADD. There are wonderful resources and videos your pediatrician should have available to you that discuss ADD and its prognosis in more detail. Some people say you outgrow ADD, other professionals believe that you never outgrow it, you just mature and learn how to control it and live with it. Often a workaholic or a person who is always a "busy bee" was an ADD child. In adolescence it is believed by some professionals that the hyperactivity is replaced with an increase in aggression.
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