What is ADD / ADHD?

ADD (attention-deficit disorder) or ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) is a common condition that affects both children and adults, and symptoms can take a severe toll on the quality of life for sufferers, and their family and friends.

ADD & ADHD have many symptoms. Some symptoms in children at first may look like normal behaviors, but ADHD makes them much worse and occurs more often. Children with ADHD have at least six symptoms that start in the first 12 years of their lives.

Children and adults with ADHD may show the following symptoms:

• Get distracted easily and forget things often
• Switch too quickly from one activity to the next
• Trouble handling directions
• Daydream way too much
• Have trouble finishing tasks like homework or chores
• Constantly losing toys, books, and school stuff
• Fidget and squirm a lot
• Nonstop talking and always interrupting people
• Touch and play with everything they see
• Be very impatient
• Blurt out inappropriate comments
• Have trouble controlling their emotions

Many of the symptoms listed above may just be your child being a kid, so it is important not to assume they are suffering from ADHD because they show these signs.

The Best Testing

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is also known as hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder (ADD). Before you can effectively treat ADHD you must first verify that you or your child has it. The National Institute of Mental Health has reported that between 3% and 10% of children suffer from some form of ADHD, and although there are statistics that claim about 70% of children usually grow out of it, many experts are doubtful that anyone ever really does.

ADD – ADHD ranks among the most widespread neurological disorders among American children. It is estimated to affect up to 7 percent, or as many as 5 million children at any one time. These sad but true statistics mean that at least one child in every classroom in the United States is afflicted with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or attention deficit disorder.

While it is not on its own a specific learning disability, it does interfere with concentration and attention, making it hard for your child to excel in the classroom and in many social environments.