by Linda Sue Meagher

If you are concerned about your child’s problematic behavior in school or at home, remember that the first priority for parents with concerns about a child’s ability to focus, concentrate, or control impulsive behavior is to have educational, psychological, and/or neurological testing to determine his/her learning style and cognitive ability. This testing will either confirm or rule out any learning disabilities, which are common in about 30% of students with ADD.

First Distinguish ADHD from Contrary Behaviors. Rule out personality and behavioral differences first! The current education system is not likely to clarify between ADD/ADHD and ordinary, non-compliant or disobedient behavior. A teacher may not know WHY your child does not seem as well socialized as other students, but s/he may suggest medication (although it is against school policy in most cases) rather than deal with poor attention skills. You MAY be told that your child has ADD or ADHD if some of his or her behavior seems similar to more stereotypical behaviors like fidgeting or daydreaming. It is normal for most children to be disobedient at times, but non compliant or disobedient behavior involves willful disobedience of the rules. This is not a normal ADD/ADHD behavior. Talk to the teacher and communicate your concerns clearly.

Undifferentiated Attention Deficit Disorder. In this form of ADD the primary and most significant characteristic is inattentiveness; hyperactivity is not present. Nevertheless, these children still have problems with organization and distractibility and may be seen as quiet or passive in nature. It is suspected that undifferentiated ADD is currently under-diagnosed, since these children are more easily overlooked in the classroom. Children with undifferentiated ADD may be at a higher risk for academic failure than those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

What is a Learning Disability? ADD is considered to be a neurological disorder that may involve behavior and social/emotional functioning or learning disabilities. People with ADD may have problems following instructions, staying on task, paying attention, and completing work. “Learning Disability" is a term used to describe a wide range of learning problems involving students' abilities in, language comprehension, speaking, basic reading, reading comprehension, basic writing, expressive writing, basic math, or applied math.
It is conservatively estimated that 3 to 5% of our school-age population is affected by ADD. The criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev.) (American Psychiatric Association, 1987), states that a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD is indicated by a display, for 6 months or more, of at least eight of the following characteristics, prior to the age of seven years:

1. Fidgets, squirms or seems restless.
2. Has difficulty remaining seated.
3. Is easily distracted.
4. Has difficulty waiting for his/her turn.
5. Blurts out answers.
6. Has difficulty following instructions.
7. Has difficulty sustaining attention.
8. Shifts from one uncompleted task to another.
9. Has difficulty playing quietly.
10. Talks excessively.
11. Interrupts or intrudes on others.
12. Does not seem to listen.
13. Often loses things necessary for tasks.
14. Frequently engages in dangerous actions