“Attention Deficit disorder is defined as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity- impulsity that is more frequent and severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development. Some of there symptoms of inattentiveness and hyperactivity must have been present before age seven, however most people are not diagnosed until years later although the symptoms have been present.”
“Attention Deficit Disorder positions among the most widespread neurological disorders among American kids, affecting as numerous as 2 million” (Spadafore, 1997). At present approximately six million kids are taking Ritalin, Concertan, Adderall, or other ADD and ADHD medicine. In each classroom in the United States, you can anticipate to come across as a minimum one child with Attention Deficit Disorder. “ADD and ADHD boys outnumber girls by 3 to 1 in frequency” (Robelia, 1997).
Attention Deficit Disorder can hinder attentiveness, learning as well as memory. ADD and ADHD also influence a person's capability to process and arrange incoming stimulus (Madden, Drina, 1998). While Attention Deficit Disorder is not categorized an exact learning disability, ADD and ADHD often makes it complicated for a kid to do well in school and in social circumstances.
“Scientists and researchers have now confirmed in a number of research studies that children with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder exhibit at least one of several types of damage to the brain structure. This can appear as either one or more of the following:
- Fewer numbers of brain cells in important areas of the brain
- Smaller size of brain cells
- Brain cells that moved into the wrong part of the brain (called dysplasia)
- Lower than normal blood flow to specific areas of the brain
- Brain cells that metabolize glucose (the brain's primary fuel) at lower than normal levels”.
