Attention Deficit Dissorder

What is attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder? Is it a learning disability? A learning disability is a disorder that inhibits or interferes with the skills of learning, including speaking, listening, reading, writing, or mathematical ability. Legally, a learning disabled child is one whose level of academic achievement is two or more years below the standard for his age and I.Q level. (Gale Encyclopedia of Childhood and Adolescence: learning disability Pars. 1)

ADD (attention deficit disorder), and ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) constitute a chronic neurobiological condition characterized by developmentally inappropriate attention skills, impulsivity, and, in some cases, hyperactivity. (Lowenthal 4) IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), lists ADD/ADHD under the category of “ health impairments”(Turnbill 184), and does not list ADD/ADHD under any categories for learning disabilities.

The causes of ADD/ADHD are not clear. Many professionals believe that the disorder is neurobiologically based. Theories and research focus on neurochemical, anatomical, neuroanotomical, and genetic factors (Riccio, Hynd, Cohen, & Gonzolez, 1993). Strong evide

a) Is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, and sickle cell anemia; and

There are two main categories of medications that are typically used in the treatment of AD/HD:

· Loses things that are necessary to complete lessons or tasks.

A major step in the recognition of attention deficit disorders occurred in 1991, when the U.S. Department of Education issued a memorandum clarifying its policy with regard to children with attention deficit disorders (Lowenthal 29). Because of this memorandum students with AD/HD qualify for IDEA benefits. They qualify under the category of “health impairments”, because the U.S. Department of Education redefined other health impairments. The definition now includes students having limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness with respect to the educational environment, that:

Medication can make a significant difference in the lives of individuals with AD/HD. Parents do not easily make the decision to try their child on medication. Typically parents agonize over the decision and frequently avoid the medical rout (Rief 155). Teachers need to respect parent’s apprehension, and not push them into making any decisions with regards to medicating the student.

· Modify the classroom environment- limiting distractions.

· Often has difficulty waiting their turn.

· The teacher may want to modify the student’s assignments – cut the written workload.

This history of ADD/ADHD (as we know it today) is relatively short lived. Yet, this condition is not new. There have always been children who have displayed inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. What is new is that these problems have been recognized and labeled as ADHD.

Some topics in this essay:
IEP Lowenthall, ADD Students, Children ADD, ADHD IEP, AD/HD IEP, Goldstein Goldstein, Symptoms ADD, Department Education, AD/HD Parents, Psychiatric Association, attention deficit, children add, deficit disorders, attention deficit disorders, learning disabilities, inattentive type, attention deficit disorder, deficit disorder, students ad/hd, · difficulty, type ad/hd, · student, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, cohen gonzolez 1993, deficit disorders lowenthal,