Dealing with Teens with ADD - By: Dan Dekker

The highly controversial health issue called Attention Deficit Disorder- or ADD- has become increasingly common among children and adolescents. It is a disorder that is usually diagnosed in children in their first school years. Symptoms can occur as early as 3 or 4 years old and they manifest themselves as excessive energy, socially inappropriate behavior, agression and impulsivity.
When analyzing teens with ADD, some common traits are usually discovered. It is possible that they have little self-confidence and, as a consequence, they can find it difficult to interact with others, be they parents, teachers or colleagues. Also, teens with ADD may lack organization, may be absent-minded and often disrupt conversations as they have trouble waiting for their turn to speak.

In school, teens with ADD encounter difficulties due to their focusing problem. If a certain assignment requires prolonged attention, it is very probable that they fail to complete it or avoid it altogether. Students suffering from the hyperactivity-impulsivity type of ADD are literally in constant movement. They talk excessively and leave the impression of having infinite energy.

Some teens with ADD may not be diagnosed until highschool or even college. It is only when they reach a higher level of difficulty to what learning is concerned that they are confronted with the reality of their disorder.

After the correct diagnose is stated, teens with ADD may undergo treatments. Medication is prescribed to improve attention, decrease motor activity, keep impulsivity and agression under control and improve social behavior. In addition to this, teens with ADD can be included in special programs at school. Parents and teachers can find solutions for keeping track of assignments and homework. Also, they can receive, for example, extra time to complete test papers. Another treatment that has proven efficient is behavioral terapy, especially for positive reinforcement.
What are the causes of ADD?
There are many different causes and explanations for the symptoms of ADD including diet, allergies, food intolerances, low muscle tone, anxiety, depression, family problems, poor discipline and even some forms of illness.

Unfortunately some doctors and therapists do not do a thorough assessment and simply prescribe potentially harmful psychiatric drugs without considering what the causes the problem might be.
What is ADD?
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) is a group of symptoms that affect concentration and a person's ability to focus.

It can also cause mood swings, impulsiveness, and behavioral and social problems. Children with these problems have difficulty completing their school work and are often in trouble with parents and teachers.
ADD can be treated and watched closely in boarding schools for teens and residential treatment centers. Through strict structure the teens can learn to overcome and manage the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Alot of teens are enrolling in boarding schools and over medicated so the schools have to cut there doseage down and teach them how to address the disorder and over power it. Some parents have found a product called "BrightSpark" as a natural remedy to treating teens with ADD. If your teen has ADD seek help for him/her and get there life back on track.

About the Author

boarding schools for troubled teens can help find a residential treatment center to help your teen with ADD.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Dan-Dekker/88415

Additional Articles From - Home | Disease & illness | Add