Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

Imagine you ask your 6 years old son to brush his teeth. As he listens to the word ‘brush’, he starts thinking about a big paint brush he saw with his classmate a few days ago. He remembers the green tree his classmate drew with that big brush. His mind flashes pictures of the colored water that was dripping out of the water colors on the green tree. He thinks crayons are better that way because they don’t need any water. He has a good collection of crayons. The last pack of crayons was a gift from grandpa. Grandpa is wonderful. He had so much fun with grandpa during last holidays. Holidays are fun. What if he could color lots of pictures with the crayons with grandpa? That would be real fun …

By the time he has been busy thinking these wonderful ideas, you've called him three times and you are boiling with anger now. To you, he doesn't listen to you ? he isn't behaving ? he is careless ? he needs to be disciplined ? and so on.

But the fact is he was lost in a world of his own imagination. He had no intention to disobey you. He was behaving to his best. Your reaction confuses him. He wonders what?s going on? What is he being scolded for? He didn't do anything wrong.

That?s ADD ? (Attention Deficit Disorder)

It is a developmental disorder.

Statistics of ADD

3-5% of children are born with ADD. It is more prominent in boys than girls. 50-80% kids carry ADD to adulthood. Primarily, it causes academics problem. The intensity of symptoms might be reduced with growing age. Many adolescents or adults adapt themselves and develop positive aspects of this ‘disorder’, despite carrying some of its weaknesses.

Sub-Types of ADD

ADD has following three broad sub-types:

•     Add-inattentive type
•     Add-hyperactive type
•     Mixed types of the two types

This page deals primarily with ADD - inattentive types.

Click here to know more about 'Add-Hyperactive' type.

Gift of ADD: Positive side of ADD

The words ‘Attention Deficit Disorder’ indicate that it is some serious sort of mental disorder. This word takes our attention to the darkest side of such kids. I think it is not fair. This nomenclature needs to be changed. Kids like this are amazing in some other ways. They have lots of rare positive qualities. They are raw material for geniuses. Click here to find out the positive qualities they are gifted with.

Diagnosis and Symptoms of ADD

There is no physical test to identify such kids. No blood test, no lab test. No X-ray or scanning can detect it. The child looks normal in physical appearance. It is a little difficult to identify ADD kids because they do not create any disturbance to anybody. They are inattentive, passive, quiet and cooperative. Click here to read the details of the diagnosis and symptoms of attention deficit disorder

ADD Vs. ADHD

There are significant differences between ADD (inattentive type) and ADHD (Add with Hyperactivity). Click here to see the differences between add and adhd in an easy tabulated form.