ADD

What is it?

ADD, or Attention deficit disorder, is a condition in which children have problems paying attention and concentrating.

ADD is a problem of 'fine tuning' in the brain. Some parts of the brain can have problems sorting out the information they need from the information they don't. The brain simply cannot learn to pick out the important things it sees and hears.

Who gets it?

Any child can have ADD. You are most likely to notice the symptoms of ADD in your children around the time they first go to school. They are more likely to suffer from it if someone else in the family has it, and boys are three times more likely to have it than girls are.

What are the symptoms?

The important thing about the symptoms of ADD is they do not come and go - if your child can concentrate sometimes, but not others, and just goes through phases of not paying attention; he is unlikely to have ADD. The symptoms must start before your child is seven and last longer than six months.

How do I diagnose ADD?

You can use the following checklist if you think that your child has ADD. Does your child:

• Fidget or squirm a lot?
• Have problems sitting still?
• Get distracted easily?
• Find it hard to wait his turn?
• Blurt out the answer to questions?
• Find it hard to do what you say or to pay attention?
• Lose interest very quickly?
• Interrupt, talk a lot, and not listen to what you say?
• Tend to lose things and do dangerous things?
• Find it hard to play quietly?

If several of these things apply to him, he may have ADD.

If you think your child's behaviour is more than Just 'normal' mischief, laziness or energetic play, and it goes on for several months, you should make a routine appointment to see your GP. It is probably worth making an appointment with your partner and without your child at first. It might help to write down some examples of what makes you think he may have ADD. It might also help to have a chat with his teacher, or with the school educational psychologist - if there is one - before you see your GP. They may be able to reassure you. Your GP will probably ask a lot of questions and might want to see you both on your own and with your child. There are no X-rays or brain scans that will help to tell if your child has ADD.

Will hospital referral be needed?

Your GP will probably want to send your child to a child psychiatrist who will decide if he needs treatment.

What is the treatment?

The usual treatment is a tablet called Ritalin. If used as the doctor prescribes, Ritalin is safe and very effective.

Will I need long-term treatment?

Your child will certainly need to carry on taking medicine for many months. In time you should be able to wean him off the medicine, but when you do, keep a careful eye on him to make sure the symptoms do not come back.

How can I stop it getting worse?

You can help by making sure your child takes the medicine he is given. You can also help by giving your child as much support and encouragement as you can, praising him when he does well and helping him to learn from his mistakes.