ADD
Have you ever had a conversation with a person and you can see that their interest seems to be drifting to somewhere else? There are many young people as well was adults who are members of a group whom suffer from this problem of wondering. They suffer from what is called ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Along with ADHD, is the disorder of ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder? Both are similar and can have an enormous impact on a child’s life.
According to Encyclopedia.com, ADHD and ADD is a “chronic, neurologically based syndrome characterized by any or all of three types of behavior: hyperactivity, distractibility, and impulsively. Unlike similar behaviors caused by emotional problems or anxiety, ADHD does not fluctuate with emotional states. Often diagnosed when a child begins school, ADHD is usually accompanied by learning difficulties and social inappropriateness. Treatment may include medication such as methylphenidate hydrochloride (Ritalin), which corrects neurochemical imbalances in the brain; sugar intake is no longer considered to be a factor. Also behavioral modifications therapy a way of teaching people the organizational techniques and coping strategies, which is one of the most effective ways to curb symptoms. Symptoms may decrease after adolescence, although adults can also have ADHD and ADD as well.” The most recent news about medications is that the first Lady and U.S Senate candidate Hillary C!
linton responded to recent studies that show a doubling or possible tripling of the number of children under age four taking Ritalin, a drug that is believed to increase a child’s alertness by stimulating the central nervous system. Clinton has called for a plan that would create
new government warning labels for such drugs, a national study of their use and a fall conference on children’s mental health.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a learning disorder in which psychiatrists have been looking into since the 1940’s. Serious studies were not started until the 1980’s and then “within the past several years, medical researchers have begun to clarify its symptoms and causes and have found that it may have a genetic underpinning. Today’s view of the basis of the condition is strikingly different from that of just a few years ago. We are finding that ADHD and ADD is not a disorder of
attention, as had long been assumed, rather it arises as a developmental failure in the brain circuitry that underlies inhibition and self-control. This loss of self-control in turn impairs other important brain functions crucial for maintaining attention, including the ability to defer immediate rewards for later, greater gain.” (Barkley).Young children are most often diagnosed with ADHD in there early years of development. Russell A. Barkley is a doctor who diagnosed his young patient Keith with ADHD. Here is how Keith was acting before Russell Barkley saw him. “As I watched five-year-old Keith in the waiting room of my office, I could see why his parents said he was having such a tough time in kindergarten. He hopped from chair to chair, swinging his arms and legs restlessly, and then began to fiddle with the light switches, turning the lights on and off again to everyone’s annoyance-all the while talking nonstop. When his mother encouraged him to join a group of other children busy in the playroom, Keith butted into a game that was already in progress and took over, causing the other children to complain
of his bossiness and drift away to other activities. Even when Keith had the toys to himself, he fidgeted aimlessly with them and seemed unable to entertain himself quietly.
Once I examined him more fully, my initial suspicions were confirmed: Keith had attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).” There are no known cures for ADHD. There are ways to help control it to a confinable disorder. CHADD is an organization that tries to help those children and adults with ADHD. It is a national non-profit organization that was founded in 1987 by a group of concerned parents. CHADD works to improve the lives of the people who live with a person suffering with ADHD and ADD through education, advocacy and support.
“Today, children and adults with ADHD and ADD have CHADD, the national organization with over 32,000 members and more than 500 chapters nationwide, to provide that support and information. Thanks in large part to the efforts of CHADD, AD/HD is now recognized as a treatable, yet potentially serious disorder, that affects up to 2.6 million school-aged children between the ages of 5 and 18, and an estimated 2-5 million adults. Today, children with ADHD can receive special education services or accommodations within the regular classroom when needed, and adults with ADHD may be eligible for accommodations in the workplace under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 guidelines issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 1997.” (CHADD.com). “CHADD is a success story, inspired by the desire of countless parents to see their children with ADHD succeed. From one parent support group in
Florida, the organization grew dramatically from year to year to its present status as the leading non-profit national organization for children and adults with ADD. CHADD’s first annual conference in 1989 attracted 300 attendees. The fourth annual conference, held in Chicago in 1992, drew over 2,500 people. Despite the growth in size and
reputation, CHADD has not lost the passion and commitment of its founders. The organization still relies heavily on dedicated volunteers around the country who offer their support and encouragement to all those living with or affected by ADD.” (CHADD.com.).
Even though there is no cure for ADD and ADHD there are ways in coping with
the destructive disorder. I had the privilege to go see a speaker by the name Michael
Asher, an East Brunswick psychologist at The Middlesex County Educational Service
Commission on March twenty-eighth. This seminar was so informative he disguised
behavioral management for students with ADD and ADHD, how to properly diagnosis,
and important facts. He said there are four ways to detect ADD and ADHD. First,
extensive history has to be taken because there are serious genetic connections.
Secondly, questionnaires are sent to people who are involved in that child’s life. Thirdly,
you must observe that child in a classroom environment. Finally, a CPT test, which is
continuous performance test to measure audio and visual difficulties. Important decisions in that child’s life such as college and the background of the disorder was also touched on. Recently they discover that a disorder is a defect in the brain but it also is caused by the lack of glucose, which causes the abnormalities in the structure and function of an
ADD or ADHD brain. He also stressed that there is no cure, but studies do show that the disorder decrease as the child approaches adolescences. When deciding to send them to college wait until age twenty, they are more mature then. We have to remember a child of nine with ADD or ADHD will behave like a six year old socially and emotionally. A child might be fine cognitively but not emotionally. He was so right when he talked about teacher having to help with children with this disorder because they need extra time and attention. He also said not to single out these children but to make them feel like everyone else. He suggested sending ADD and ADHD to camps such as W.I.S.E. and Stepping Stone Day Camp. These are camps to help them socially and to help them to focus on developing social-emotional skills through group training, individual attention, recreational activities, and academic instruction. This past summer, I had the opportunity to be around children with ADHD !and ADD. I was a counselor at a day camp. I was with some of these kids from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. To watch the behavior of some of these children with ADHD and ADD was remarkable. They, at the most, could sit down at one activity for 10-15 minutes, before they where bored. Whether they were boys or girls they were always on the go. I could see how they were affected by the disorder most when it was time to sit and listen to someone. Children with ADHD and ADD cannot sit still for a long time. When it came time for the camp talent show these children where usually standing the back of the group fighting with one another. In a camp setting like the one I was in over, the summer it was very common to have more then one child in a group with ADHD or ADD. One of the members of the staff I worked
with, my friend Josh, had a group of 3rd grade boys of which half the group was hyperactive. This was the group that was always in trouble usually for their behavior. They were uncontrollable and not even the director talking to them helped. When this
group walked around camp, they were never in any order and you always knew they were approaching without even seeing them. Now Josh and his co-counselor Andrew tried everything in their power they could think of to get these boys in line, but nothing worked. The boys always played the game, monkey see monkey do. If they saw one of the boys in the group acting up then they all started to act up. This type of behavior
happened not only in Josh and Andrew’s group, but also in many other groups throughout the camp. Camp is a social setting where they do things for enjoyment, I cannot imagine working with them on an academic lever.
My mom, on the other hand, has to teach these children everyday. Many of them take medication before they leave the house for a first dose, and then have to go to the medical center to get another one or two times during the course of the day to take another dosage. As the medication wears off the student becomes agitated, disruptive, antsy, and can no longer focus on what is being taught. Often they become the class clowns for attention and to steer focus off of the academic setting. For the next twenty- thirty minutes after the child goes for his medicine he becomes completely lethargic. You would not know it was the same child. Thus during an academic setting of eight
hours, they are really only attentive about half the time. That is why most of those students take untimed tests. According to Adam Rogers of Newsweek, “Even in a
classroom of 30 preteens, it’s not hard to spot the one with problems. He’s staring out the window instead of listening, or tearing around the room instead of finishing that art project.”
After reading, going to seminars, gathering information, and speaking with actual teachers I can fully understand the disorder. I had no idea how serious and complicated it all really is. It is a whole different lifestyle because people lose jobs because of the disorder, they are impulsive and impatient, they have frequent mood swings and short tempers and relationship are restrained. It doesn’t just affect their academic life it affects relationship with others, their career, and other everyday life experiences. It’s not something that will just go away, there is no cure. One thing is certain: ADD and ADHD, if left untreated, can block people from leading healthy and productive lives by sabotaging their self-confidence and blocking their willingness to succeed. I think that there are several issues and arguments to be made with ADD and ADHD. Doctors are prescribing Ritalin at the drop of a hat. It is a very serious drug and should be carefully looked into before pres!
cribing a drug like Ritalin. Two million out of the five million living with the disorder were diagnosed as a child. No one really knows how serious this disorder really is. It causes great depression, social difficulties and character problems. It’s not just a learning disability it is a serious disorder. After seeing what it is like for
these children through camps, and interacting with these children it is very hard on them. After watching an ADD child sit on the side as everyone else plays is very disturbing.
And why does he sit on the side, one of the other boys called him a “freak.” Not only is it hard for me to understand trying to explain that to a seven-year-old kid, who just wants to be like the other children. The toughest part for ADD and ADHD children is being singled out from the other kids. They have to sit right next to the teacher’s desk because they don’t pay attention or they won’t stop walking around the room. Learning more about the disorder had helped me understand more about the disorder and has helped me understand how to deal with it and to make an environment more comfortable for kids who have the disorder.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder are something that everyone comes in contact with at some point in his or her life. It is a disorder everyone should feel comfortable with incase they come in contact with it. Fortunately, as more and more children are being diagnosed with it, there is a larger turnout from society to help them. No one wants to see a child struggle through school and life because of a disorder they cannot control.
Bibliography:
Barbosa, Brenda. Homes News Tribune: “No cure for ADHD but coping with the
Destructive disorder is a must.” April 3, 2000. pg 3.
Green, Ross. Explosive Child. Chicago Publisher Company, 1999.
World Wide Web. Website: www.http:/ Chadd.org. 1999.
World Wide Web. Website: www.http:/ HHS.gov.1998.
World Wide Web. Website: www.http:/ NIMH.NIH.GOV.1999.
