Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is also known as Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is a very common characteristic seen in children. Conventional medicine considers this attribute as a disorder although there has been debate about whether it is really one. ADD can persist up to adolescence and even into adulthood. Its signs and symptoms are over-activity (hyperactivity), difficulty controlling behavior and problem in maintaining focus and being attentive.
Attention Deficit Disorder is classified into three sub-types:
Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive – This particular subtype contains about six or even more signs and symptoms that are all in the hyperactivity-impulsivity classifications. Its inattention classification contains less than six of the signs ad symptoms which can be evidenced in varying degrees.
Predominantly inattentive – This sub-type contains six or more signs and symptoms of the inattention classification and less than six of the hyperactive-impulsive signs and symptoms that can manifest in different degrees. Predominantly inattentive children have problems getting along with other children or are less inclined to interact with them. These children will often not pay attention to whatever it is they are doing but will just sit quietly. Because of these, they are often overlooked or unnoticed and teachers and parents may not be aware that they have ADD.
Combined hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattentiveness – Both hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention classifications can show about six or more symptoms of this ADD subtype. This subtype is the most common subtype you would see in children with ADD.
Danielle DeVivo is a board certified and licensed acupuncturist in Saratoga Springs, NY.