ADD: What is Attention Deficit Disorder?
In this segment, we shall examine the following elements:
� What is attention?
� What is AD/HD?
� How are children with AD/HD different from other children?
� Classroom Signs of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and further indications.
� Environmental exacerbation of symptoms.
� Role of teacher.
� Role of stimulation.
I. What is Attention?
Attention may be described as an energetic, mental resource needed for processing information.(Haber, 1990). This resource can be divided in response to various stimuli, or focused on the same task for a period of time.
Attention is a process that has different parts. We focus (pick something to which we pay attention), we select (pick something that needs attention at that moment) and we sustain (pay attention for as long as is needed). We also resist (avoid things that remove our attention from where it needs to be), and we shift (move our attention to something else when needed).
Focused attention is a process by which we ignore parts of the stimuli and process the parts we have selected.
When we embark upon learning something new, we are required to put effort into focusing our attention on the acquisition of the skill. It is a conscious process. Once the skill has been learned, we are able to use it automatically, releasing our attention for other pursuits.
II. What is Attention Deficit Disorder?
One person�s description: What is ADD but a flighty run down an exciting path that ends when it hits a wall, like a teacher's insult, or a kid's fist, or a spaghetti filled tray of food that suddenly crashes. Having ADD is always going to bring surprises to me and to the people around me.
J, ADDult, Israel
AD/HD may be defined as an �inherited neurological syndrome, characterized by easy distractibility, low tolerance for frustration or boredom, a greater-than-average tendency to say or do whatever comes to mind, and a predilection for situations of high intensity.� (Hallowell, p. x of preface, 1994). Dr. Edward Hallowell also speaks about �an overflow of energy�, and a �highly charged, psyched-up feeling.�
Although the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition, 1994) clearly lists basic symptomatic indications, there is no absolute definition, no one conclusive test, nor one standard therapy. The condition we now call Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder has been recognized since the early 1900�s, during which time the nomenclature has varied from brain disease to minimal brain dysfunction to disorder to, more accurately, �Attention Variability Disorder�. (Ratey, 2001)
It is most certainly apparent that in examining this condition, we do not find a lack of attention, but rather, a surfeit of attention to all incoming impressions. Together with this, is found an inability to sift between outer impressions in order to focus on a given task; an inability to sustain attention on one impression; difficulty in resisting incoming impressions and clumsiness in shifting focus when required.
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