As a mother of a child who suffers from Attention Deficit Disorder I know all the heartache and pain that you go through loving and raising your child. It is very hard to explain to anyone that does not have a child suffering from this disorder just how hard it really is. Speaking for my husband and myself we have spend many hours in tears as well as sleepless nights in worry over our son. In the beginning we didn't understand what was going on, what was wrong with our child. We knew we were raising our son in a loving caring home but no matter what, we were always being called to the school as our son was never doing his school work or in some kind of trouble. We hated to even answer our phone for fear everytime it rang it was someone complaining about our son. That is really when we begin to realize that something was not right with our child and we began our research into this disorder known as Attention Deficit Disorder.
It is believed that ADD/ADHD is a genetic or biological disorder. Meaning it's a chemical imbalance of neurotransmitters (chemicals used by the brain to control behavior) or by abnormal glucose metabolism in the centerl nervous system.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD OR ADHD) is an impulsive behavior, the tendency to be distracted, and hyperactive movements which may not be the conscious choice of the "disruptive" child. It's the inability to concentrate and tendency to behave impulsively. Most children with ADD/ADHD have multiple problems with schoolwork and social activities. They have trouble remaining seated, following instructions, concentrating on a single task, waiting their turn in any activity, and simply finishing their assigned work. While these behaviors are not in themselves a learning disability, 10 to 33 percent of all children with ADD/ADHD also have learning disabilities. Children with ADHD are often aggressive and rejeated by their peers, while the child with ADD (without hyperactivity) are more withdrawn and unpopular. Both types of children do not cooperate with others and are less willing to wait their turn. In addition, most all these child feel isolated and their selfesteem suffers. Many end up dropping out of high school or being kicked out. Many turn to drug and alcohol as a means of fitting in with the other kids. While others find themselves being faced with jail because they act without thinking.
Any diagnoses of ADD/ADHD must be done by examining the child's history through interviews with parents, teachers, and health care professionals in order to determine when the behavior began and whether the child displays the behavior characteristics of ADD/ADHD in many different settings. To help with this, parents and teachers are asked to complete a form asking them to measure and rate the frequency and severity of the child's behavior according to a fixed rating scale. Physicians should perform a medical exam to check for problems with hearing or vision and perhaps may even administer neurological examinations as well. A psychologist, will access the child to see their ability to control their actions, and check for other emotional as well as learning disabilities. In short a Psychiatric as well as an Education Evaluation will need to be done.
While there is not known cure for ADD/ADHD, it's effects can be reduced through medicine, psychology, and education. It is important to know that all are important in most cases. The meds will help with the chemical imbalance, however, a psychologist can help with selfesteem and learning social skills.
Children with ADD/ADHD are covered by three federal statutes: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, (IDEA) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The U.S. Department of Education has the legal authority to interpret and enforce IDEA, and the Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Education interprets and enforces the provisions of the Secion 504 that pertain to education.
To clear up any confusion regarding services to children with ADD/ADHD under provisions of IDEA and Section 504, the Department of Education issued a Policy Clarification Memorandum in 1991 that defines schools "legal obligation to locate, identify, and evaluate children suspected of having this disability. Also they need to provide appropriate education and needed services for those who are eligible. To be eligible under IDEA, a child must be evaluated as having one or more specified physical or metal impairments, and must be found to require special education and related services by reason of these impairments. In other words, a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD is not enought to qualify a child for special education services, the ADD/ADHD must impair the child's ability to benefit from education. Children may qualify for services to the handicapped under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 if the ADD/ADHD substantially limits a major life activity, such as learning. Section 504 prohibits programs that receive federal dollars from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. It requires public schools to make accommodations for eligible handicapped children, whether or not they qualify for special education services und IDEA. Section 504 could therefore provide modifications for children with ADD/ADHD in regular classrooms, such as help with note taking and changes in assignments and testing procedures. This do not mean that a child does not have to do the work, only that other procedures may be applied so these child get the same education as children without ADD/ADHD. If you feel you child could beneifit, talk to your their teachers and school counselor about this for further help.
Non-drug approach--Help with ADD/ADHD through non-drugs
ADD/ADHD and School--Advise regarding your child and school.
Resources for ADD/ADHD--An excellent Resource Listing.
Attention Deficit Disorder--An excellent Resources Listing.
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