Approximately 3-5% of all American children have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). ADD is a leading cause of school failure and under-achievement. ADD characteristics often arise in early childhood as many as 50% of children with ADD are never diagnosed. Boys significantly outnumber girls, though girls are more likely to be undiagnosed with ADD. ADD is not an attention disorder, but a disorder of impulse control. (Pfiffrer 184).
Characteristics of Attention Deficit Disorder can include: Fidgeting with hands or feet, difficulty remaining seated, waiting for turns in games, following through on instructions, and shifting from one uncompleted task to another. They also have difficulty playing quietly, they interrupt conversations and intrude into other children's games, appear to be not listening to what is being said, and do things that are dangerous without thinking about the consequences. (Mills 23) .
Attention Deficit Disorder is strongly considered genetically inherited; however, not all cases of ADD may be genetically linked. Studies have shown that 20-30% of all hyperactive children have a least one parent with ADD. The environment is a big influence on a child during pregnancy and after. Some studies show that smoking, drinking alcohol, and using drugs during pregnancy, influenced a small percentage of ADD cases. Exposure to toxins, such as lead, may also alter the brain chemistry and function. (Pfiffner 78) .
If you suspect that you are suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder you will need to discuss it with your medical doctor. In most cases the doctor will recommend that you visit a psychologist for an evaluation. The psychologist is professionally trained in human behavior and will be able to provide counseling and testing in areas related to mental health. The psychologist is not able to prescribe medication to help you, but may send you to a psychiatrist to prescribe and monitor medication.
