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Essay on add

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Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is commonly known as a childhood syndrome characterized by impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and a short attention span. These often lead to learning disabilities and various behavioral problems. ADD is defined as an inability to control behavior due to difficulty in processing neural stimuli.
Most of the diagnosis is at childhood. Experts say that over 2 million children have ADD. About 50% of these 2 million children who have ADD are believed to be underachievers. Also with this 50% the children who have ADD are believed to be to have social and academic difficulties. About 40% of the 2 million have a 40% IQ …show more content…

In order for an individual to be diagnosed with ADD, comprehensive evaluations must be administered that include a complete individual and family history, ability tests, achievement tests, and the collection of observations from people who are close to the person who is being assessed. It is also extremely important to have an assessment that is individualized and designed to uncover co-existing conditions, such as learning disabilities and behavior, mood or anxiety disorders (such as depression, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder) or any other problem that could be causing symptoms that look similar to the symptoms of ADD.
A thorough evaluation includes gathering information from a variety of sources. A thorough review of the person's medical, academic and family history is essential. In the case of a child this is done through a detailed, structured interview with the parents. Behavior rating scales should be filled out by parents, and teachers to provide information on types and severity of ADD symptoms at home and at school, as well as types and severity of other emotional or behavior problems. Depression, anxiety and other emotional disorders are tested through a comprehensive psychological screening. Intellectual and achievement testing is used to help screen for and then assess learning problems, and areas of strength and greatest struggle.
Researchers have identified classroom

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