Attention Deficit Disorder Essay, Research Paper

Attection Deficit Disorder

By: Ryan Fish

To be nobody-but-myself–in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make

you everybody else-means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can

fight, and never stop fighting.

-E.E. Cummings, 1958

Attention Deficit Disorder is a long and some what mysterious sounding name that tries to describe something you probably already call Hyperactivity. But, attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is much more that Hyperactivity.

History of ADD

In 1902 children who demonstrated many of the symptoms that are today part of attention

deficit disorder would be described as children with "morbid defects in moral control". In

the 1940’s, children exhibiting this form of behavior were diagnosed with "brain injured

syndrome" because children with brain injuries from disease or trauma behave in much

the same way. Any child displaying these behaviors regardless of evidence of brain injury

were diagnosed as having brain injury syndrome.

What Causes ADD?

ADD may be caused by a abnormally from trauma, disease, fetal exposure to alcohol and

tobacco, or high levels of Lead. In parts of the brain there is a diminished activity in the

morphology and frontal region of the brain.

Statistics of ADD

Most of the diagnosis is at childhood. Experts say that over 2 million (3 to 5%) children

have ADD. About 50% of these 2 million children who have ADD are believed to be

underachievers. Also with this 50% the children are believed to have social and academic

difficulties. About 40% of the 2 million have a 40% IQ discrepancy. The glad part is that

80% – 90% of these children receive medication for there problem, but most of them still

need behavior modifications. Most schools help with that.

Behaviors Observed in ADD

Some characteristics are:

-Makes careless mistakes in school work.

-Dislikes tasks that involve sustaining mental effort.

-Has difficulty sustaining attention.

-Does not seem to listen when spoken to.

-Often loses things.

-Does not follow through on instructions.

-Often distracted.

-Has difficulty organizing tasks.

-Often forgetful in daily activities.

Six or more of the following symptoms will result in the diagnosis of peractivity-

impulsivity:

HyperactivityImpulsivity

Fidgets or squirmsOften talks excessively

Often leaves seat in classroomOften blurts out answers

Often runs about inappropriatelyOften has difficulty waiting turn

Difficulty playing quietlyOften interrupts others

Also while the person with ADD gets older the Impulsivity gets more consistent. Usually

girls don’t show Impulsivity as much as guys.

How To Help ADD In The Classroom

Researchers have identified classroom characteristics which promote success for many

children that have ADD:

-predictability

-structure

-shorter work periods

-small teacher to pupil ratio

-more individualized instruction

-interesting curriculum

-use of positive reinforcements

The teachers attitude is very helpful if she/he has the following characteristics:

-positive academic expectations

-frequent monitoring and checking of work

-clarity in giving directions

-warmth, patience and humor

-consistency and firmness

-knowledge of different behavioral interventions

-willingness to work with a special education teacher

ADD In The Classroom

School is where the characteristics of ADD are first noticed. Most tasks in school are

hard for a person with ADD. The student has difficulty: sitting in his/her seat,

understanding directions, and often distracted.

How To Diagnose ADD

One of the most common ways to diagnose ADD is for the person to stare at a clock. In

doing this the doctor looks for three or more of the following:

-Difficulty sustaining attention at the clock.

-Often fidgets or moves excessively.

-Difficulty following directions.

-Does not seem to listen when spoken to.

-Often distracted by other things around him/her.

Treating ADD With Common Drugs

The most common way of treating ADD is giving him/her drugs (exp: syler, dexedrine,

and the most common ritelin). There is non-drug related ways of chemically changing

the physiological imbalance of the brain. One of them is a school that is completely

devoted to ADD. Another one is electrical impulses sent to the brain to control his/her

motor skills in both mental and physical. With electrical impulse treatment it seems to

work better than drug related practice.