Affects of ADD on a Child's Life

ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is different from ADHD (Attention Hyperactivity Deficit Disorder). The two have similarities, such as the inability to concentrate on anything in particular for a length of time. The difference between the two is that those with ADD do not have the hyperactivity role. ADD patients are generally more mild mannered and their minds tend to drift off into a daydream state. This can create serious problems for those who do not learn how to control the ADD.

How ADD affects a child's life:

Difficulty Learning- ADD is a learning disability. Children who suffer from it will have a much more difficult time learning when they begin school. It is not impossible for children with ADD to learn, but much more difficult. That is why it is important to help the child learn different methods of learning and to receive the proper medication to help regulate the problem. This will make all the difference in the world as to how well a child with ADD can learn.

Missing Pieces- When a child has ADD; he/she will seem to be missing several key pieces of information. This is also in regards to learning. For instance, the child will hear the beginning of the lesson that the teacher is attempting to teach. The child's mind will begin to drift off a few minutes into the lesson. When asked a question about the lesson, the child will only remember the first part of the lesson. Whatever was said after that is not recalled. The child thinks that he/she is listening and even appears to be listening. What has really happened is the child begins to think about something else and therefore isn't registering the information that he/she should be registering. This can be regulated with the right medications along with learning how to control the ADD.

Incomplete Tasks- Children with ADD often find it difficult to complete tasks assigned to them. This is due to the inability to focus for long periods. The child will often begin a task and then move onto the next one without completing the first one. It is not unusual to see an ADD child who has several tasks started and none of them complete. This can cause difficulty as the child grows older and begins to work. Children with ADD have to learn how to stick with a task to complete it. Several techniques can work to help an ADD child organize tasks so they are completed within a certain period.

Appearance of Disinterest- Children who have ADD often appear to be disinterested in nearly everything. That is not always the case though. Children who have ADD are interested in a great variety of things. In fact, they have to have a great variety of things to keep them interested in doing anything. That is why adults with ADD are happier when they find careers that are diverse. Changing tasks frequently is usually enough for the ADD person to enjoy their jobs and their lives much more. Mundane tasks are not good for children or adults with ADD.

All of the above are ways in which ADD affects a child's life. Since this is a learning disability, it is important for all adults that play a major role in the child's life to understand ways in which to teach the child more efficiently. What works for one child doesn't necessarily work with an ADD child. Having the child diagnosed is only the first step to helping the child adjust to the ADD. Medications can usually be prescribed to help alleviate the problem. Teaching methods for children with ADD is also very important. With a few adjustments, ADD does not have to have any negative affect on a child at all.