Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

by Youmasu J. Siewe, Ph.D, MPH.

The following article was published in the Stillwater News Press on February 21, 2001.

Children's Health, Adults' Responsibility! Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a group of related chronic disorders that interfere with an individual's capacity to regulate activity level (hyperactivity) inhibit behavior (impulsivity) and attend to task (inattention), in developmentally appropriate ways. The US Centers for Disease Control estimates that about 2 to 20 percent of America's 51 million children between the ages of 5-17 have attention deficit disorder.

As concerned parents, teachers, public health educators, and citizens across the country, children and youths in our communities should be considered our greatest resource for the future. The more that can be done to help them succeed, the better the chances of educating citizens to their highest potential, and making a difference in the lives of the next generation. Parents and teachers expect teaching efforts to yield significant results for children, but those with ADD usually have behavioral outburst and distraction likely to hinder the efforts of even the most experienced parents and educator's attempt to make a difference in the lives of these children. Here are three case situations to demonstrate typical characteristics of students with attention deficit disorder.

1. Mike is an 8-years old third grader who often has difficulty staying seated without sliding off his chair. He is constantly on the move, scattering and overturning objects as he moves along. He is quick to argue and slow to calm down once excited. He is yet to learn how to get along with his classmates, and attempts solving problems by pushing, arguing and throwing things.
2. Sabrina is ten years old, and considered bright and friendly, but often sits at her desk staring at the wall and never seeming to notice what is going on in her class, whether the class has moved on to another assignment, or that she hasn't completed the previous one. When Sabrina's attention is directed to her task, she shuffles through her book, unsure of what she is looking for.
3. Lopez is twelve rears old, considered able and hard-working, but often has difficulty focusing on his work, which leads to excessive questions, and constantly seeking encouragement and direction from the teacher.

Although most students occasionally have characteristics that interfere with learning, students with behaviors that resemble cases 1-3 cited above may need to be further evaluated for ADD. This is important because these behaviors too often interfere with typical classroom instruction, resulting in lost learning opportunities and underachievement. In social situations, students with ADD tend not to do as well, because their peers generally find it difficult to get along with them. There is no known cause of ADD, but the following are possible contributing factors for the condition: heredity or family history, complications or trauma during child birth, lead poisoning, parental alcohol and drug exposure. Most common manifestations of ADD include: inattention, hyperactivity, being easily distracted, impulse behavior, often fidgeting with hands and feet, having difficulty being seated when required to do so, difficulties awaiting turn in group activities, often giving out answers before questions are completely asked, a tendency to shift from one uncompleted task to another and engaging in physically dangerous behaviors, without considering possible consequences. It should be noted that developmentally, all youngsters, typically exhibit the above behaviors to some degree and in certain situations. For students with ADD, these behaviors are exhibited more frequently and with more intensity. When a combination of these behaviors persists over time, occurs in multiple settings and situations, chronically interferes with a child's classroom success, it is a good idea to investigate further for ADD. It is estimated that about 85% of children with ADD may retain the disorder into adulthood, with later consequences of antisocial personality, including substance abuse, increased aggressive behaviors, and increase level of smoking and smoking addiction. Impulsivity and poor decision making contribute to deviant behaviors, which result in school failure and lower chances of being employed. If you observe, or have been informed by a teacher that your child chronically exhibits behaviors that resemble those cited above, talk to your health care provider for further evaluation. A multi-disciplinary team of professionals can help students with ADD to increase educational attainment and succeed in later life. Remember: the more that can be done to help students succeed today, the better the chances of increasing their educational attainment and making a difference in the future of another generation.