Main Menu
(Dyslexia)-A Review
SYMPTOMS AND MANAGEMENT OF ADD and ADHD
by John Jennings
(Warning: This article is for information only for the benefit of teachers and the author accepts no liability arising. If you are affected you should contact the appropriate medical or other service.)
Problems such as those discussed here can severely affect a student’s academic performance if some effort is not made to manage the difficulties.
ADD Attention Deficit Disorders are often characterised by seriously poor levels of attention to the extent that it causes a problem.
- ADD differs from ADHD in that the H adds the problem of Hyperactivity.
- In ADD the inattention must be causing a problem in a variety of situations for clinical diagnosis.
ADD and ADHD are inherited.
- ADD and ADHD arises from a neurochemical imbalance in the frontal lobe of the brain which controls attention and concentration.
CHARACTERISTICS
- Serious oppositional defiance
- conduct disorder
- obsessive compulsiveness
- anxiety
- depression
- low self esteem
- verbal and emotional impulsiveness
- excessive dogmatism
- Very bad time management
- Does not plan or think ahead
- Has problems handling free unstructured time
These characteristics may be present without ADD and are only indicators if present in conjunction with serious inattention.
SYMPTOMS
Six of these Nine symptoms consistently present.
- Poor attention to details and careless mistakes
- Does not maintain attention to a task for a sustained period
- Does not appear to listen
- Does not follow through and finish work (as normal practice)
- Has real difficulty in organising tasks
- Avoids tasks needing sustained mental effort
- Loses items needed for tasks
- Easily distracted
- Forgetful in everyday activities
For ADD diagnosis there should be clear evidence of the above symptoms impairing social, academic or occupational functioning. ( Not to confused with MOOD or ANXIETY disorder)
OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANCE
Four of the following eight occurring more frequently than normal for the current age of the person.
- Loses temper much more often than the normal person
- Regularly argues with others in authority
- Often defies or breaks rules
- Deliberately annoys and upsets other people
- Blames others for ones mistakes and misbehaviour
- Very touchy and easily annoyed
- Very often angry and annoyed
- Often spiteful and resentful of others
- The four symptoms must very SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIR social, academic and/or occupational functioning.
SELF MANAGEMENT CONTROL STRATEGIES
- Implement system for managing time, diary, planner record keeping etc.
- Organise a timetable for each event and observe it
- Plan and arrange work into units and stages so that it is organised and structured
- Adopt measures to improve self esteem by reading about it, having slogans, self presentation etc.
- Have exercise and maintain levels of fitness
- Avail of any assistance available which will help to keep up motivation and sustain effort
- Develop strategies to deal with the frustration that arises from disorganisation and tendency to be forgetful, angry, depressed, appearing to be underachieving
- Develop learning strategies to cope with inattentivenes, such as notetaking or marking , underlings etc.
RISKS
Be aware of the risks associated with ADD/ ADHD
- Be aware that ADD will be masked or covered up by older teenager or adult
- Be aware that the cover-up can result in over reliance on alcohol or other substance abuse by a person with poor self esteem.
- Be aware that oppositional defiance can get a person into trouble if this tendency is not controlled
- Be aware that depression and withdrawal from peers needs to be managed and controlled
- Be aware that a serious effort at self regulation and self discipline is needed more by an ADD than others.
- Be aware that the problem eases or disappears in adulthood
- Be aware that the problem should not be magnified and is very manageable compared to other disabilities experienced by people.
ASSESSMENT AND MEDICATION
The student should be referred to the remedial - resource or special needs teacher in the first instance who may then refer to an educational psychologist or other specialist consultant. A medical consultant will prescribe medication which is very effective.
(Warning: This article is for information only and the author accepts no liability arising. If you are affected you should contact the appropriate medical service.)