| ADD is one disorder that is shrouded in | | | | quite easy to concentrate and focus for lengthy |
| controversy and mystery. The medical | | | | periods of time if the subject/activity is one that |
| establishment is divided about what causes ADD | | | | interests them. |
| as well as how to treat it. Opinions range all the | | | | Another important point to bear in mind is that |
| way from those that claim that ADD does not | | | | children with ADD need adrenaline in order to |
| exist to those that believe that drug therapy is | | | | focus. Adrenaline is the hormone that is released |
| the only solution. | | | | into the body when we are excited or stressed. |
| With so much confusion amongst the professional, | | | | A recent research study revealed a deficiency of |
| it's no wonder that the ordinary layman is | | | | adrenaline in the urine samples of ADD children. |
| besieged with half-truths and misinformation | | | | Perhaps ADD should stand for Adrenaline |
| regarding ADD. | | | | Deficiency |
| One of the most common myths that even | | | | Syndrome. |
| professionals fall prey to, is that children who | | | | My son is a text-book case. It takes him 3 hours |
| suffer from ADD have a very short attention | | | | to complete 30 minutes worth of homework. He |
| span regardless of the task. Many people feel that | | | | will get up dozens of times; to pat the dog, get a |
| in order for a child to be diagnosed with ADD he | | | | glass of water, annoy his brother or play with his |
| must not be able to concentrate for long periods | | | | little sister. Anything to avoid focusing on the task |
| of time. | | | | at hand. But give him a book on dogs or quad |
| Whilst it's true that a very limited attention span is | | | | bikes and he will sit still and read it from cover to |
| the hallmark of a child suffering from ADD, it's | | | | cover and remember every last detail of what he |
| untrue to say that an ADD child cannot focus for | | | | read. |
| extended periods of time. | | | | The typical ADD child has trouble paying attention |
| The truth of the matter is that children with ADD | | | | to boring, routine, everyday tasks like homework, |
| can pay attention perfectly well to things that are | | | | school work and chores. |
| novel, new, interesting, scary or stimulating. | | | | So if you were ruling out the possibility that your |
| Why? Because activities or events such as these | | | | child had ADD just because he can concentrate |
| cause the release of adrenaline which activates | | | | on things that interest him (and is a real air-head |
| the brain functions that help the ADD child to | | | | with everything else), perhaps you should |
| concentrate. | | | | re-evaluate your decision in light of this new |
| Many ADD children will tell you that they find it | | | | information. |