Vol. 1, No. 2 • Summer 1997

What is ADD?

The terms "ADD" and "ADHD" are often used by teachers, doctors, and the media. They stand for Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, two similar neurological conditions that impair a person's learning, social, and emotional functioning.

Symptoms of AD(H)D can vary in degree of severity, but commonly include inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity at age-inappropriate levels. Inattention behaviors may include poor listening skills, difficulty completing tasks, daydreaming, and/or inability to complete projects. Impulsive behaviors may include low frustration tolerance, interrupting often, acting before thinking, losing things and/or rushing through assignments. Hyperactive children can be overactive (fidgeting, squirming, climbing), underactive (appearing confused, lethargic, sluggish and/or daydreaming), or over-focused (working slowly, intolerant of minor distractions, checking and rechecking work). Children with mild symptoms function fairly normally both in the home environment and in school. Children with severe symptoms can be affected in all areas of their daily living. Ziegler and Holden, experts in this area, have identified three aspects important to a child's development undermined by the presence of an attention disorder: self-esteem, frustration management, and a sense of self control.

It was thought until recently that ADD and ADHD are conditions only applicable for children, and that they can outgrow it. Increasingly, experts believe that for some people it can be a lifelong problem. It has no known cure.

The causes of attention deficit disorders are not totally known. Until recently, many people thought ADHD and ADD were caused by the overconsumption of sugar, food additives and dyes, vitamin deficiencies, or lead poisoning. While these aspects may make symptoms worse, recent medical research indicates that ADHD and ADD may be genetic.

AD(H)D id difficult to diagnose. Symptoms vary from child to child and the problems often coexist with various learning, social, and emotional problems. If you think your child may have ADD or ADHD, ask your social worker to have the child evaluated for the condition by trained medical personnel.

� 1997 Children's Services Practice Notes, Vol. 2, No. 2. Chapel Hill, NC: School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Reprinted with permission.

Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families