Attention Deficit Disorder

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Running head: Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention Deficit Disorder:

The Effects of ADD

Tom Henderson

Jefferson Davis Community College

Psychology 200

Ms. Beulah Patton

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Attention Deficit Disorder: The Effects of ADD

Introduction

Attention Deficit Disorder, which most people know as ADD, effects over two million people in the U.S. every year. Many people think ADD was discovered within the last twenty years when in actuality it was discovered over one hundred years ago. "ADD is considered a learning disability. However, children and adults who display some of the symptoms associated with ADD may hide a greater potential than expected" (Sympatico 38 of 40).

Review of ADD

ADD is a treatable but not curable disorder. It effects three to six percent of the population. It is usually found in children because that is when people are in the most active parts of their lives.

Symptoms

There are many symptoms that suggest that a person has ADD. One example is of a person not being able to stay in one place for a long period of time. Another is that the person becomes easily distracted, has difficulty awaiting his turn in games, blurts out answers of questions, has difficulty following instructions, or

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playing games quietly, talks excessively, and engages in dangerous activity.

There are several ways through which ADD can be diagnosed. One way is by a specialist observing the child's behavior. Another way of diagnosing ADD in a student is having the teacher fill out an evaluation sheet and turning it into the specialist, who interprets the data collected. Concerning observation of children, Sympatico says, " kids often have difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly, are often 'on the go' or often act as if driven by a motor, often talk excessively" (27 of 40).

Speculations

Many Speculations have been given as to what causes ADD, but no one is for certain. One possibility is genetic/hereditary brain damage during or after birth or by toxins that are exposed to the child before or after birth. Also, " food allergies could cause ADD" (Sympatico 9 of 40). This theory has not been proven, but more scientific evidence is mounting and suggests that children can benefit from certain diets.

Treatment

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There are several treatments that help children cope with ADD, but if a child goes untreated the disorder will

increase the risks of a child's educational performance, decrease self esteem, cause social problems and family difficulty, and have potential long term effects.

The main treatment for ADD is medication. Medications are used everyday to treat the millions of people with ADD. The medications that are involved are Ritalin (psychostimulants), Prozac (mood stabilizer) and tranquilizers. Ritalin slows the body actions, making the person calm and helps the person maintain a stable environment within oneself. Another drug, use to treat ADD is Prozac, which is a mood stabilizer. It is used when the person is depressed. It allows the person to function without the person becoming insane.

Another treatment technique used is informing and counseling the parents about their child's condition. This lets the parents know their responsibility in treating the child's disorder. The parents can set up a system such as palying games for the child, which can encourage positive changes. The parents also have to discipline the child when he has done wrong.

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Teacher Training

Teachers are trained to help deal with students that have ADD. There are several things that a teacher can do. One is that a teacher might need to put the child in a place that will allow him to be less distracted. The child could be moved from a window or into the front center of the classroom. The teacher also can put well-behaved students around the child. This will allow the student to observe the behaviors of the other students. When the teacher is giving an assignment to his or her class, the teacher needs to write the assignment up on the board or give the student a piece of paper with the assignment on it. When giving instructions the teacher should