Attention Deficit Disorder is characterized by a poor or short attention span and impulsiveness inappropriate for the child’s age, with (ADHD) or without hyperactivity (ADD). Hyperactivity is a level of activity and excitement in a child so high that it concerns the parents or caregivers. The diagnosis of ADD usually requires that the child display at least eight of the following symptoms.

• * Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms while sitting (restlessness).
• * Has difficulty remaining seated when required to do so.
• * Is easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
• * Has difficulty waiting for his or her turn in games or group situations.
• * Has difficulty following instructions from others, even if the instructions are understood.
• * Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
• * Often shifts from one uncompleted task to another.
• * Often talks excessively.
• * Often interrupts or intrudes on others.
• * Often does not seem to listen to what is being said.
• * Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities at school or at home.
• * Often engages in physically dangerous activities without considering possible consequences.

Diagnosis is based on the number, frequency and severity of symptoms. Of course this “diagnosis” depends on the subjective opinion of the observer. The symptoms are not unique to a child with ADD and a child without ADD may have one or more of the symptoms.

What Kind Of Physical Exam Was Performed?

Too often a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD is handed down without any physical exam or lab work. We are not even talking about “alternative” medicine here, just good old-fashioned traditional medical diagnosis. A few of the medical problems that can cause a child to have poor concentration are as follows:

• * Anemia Anemia can cause symptoms that may be mistaken for ADD. A simple, inexpensive blood test, called a CBC (complete blood count) should be taken.
• * Low thyroid function A child with an underfunctioning thyroid will have symptoms similar to ADD. A simple blood test can rule this out.
• * Hypoglycemia Low blood suger. This is determined with more extensive blood testing. Also, if a child eats a lot of sugar and a lot of refined white flour, B vitamins and depleted—easily causing symptoms that can be described as ADD. Also a poor diet can cause hypoglycemia. For many children diet is the first, best place to look.
• * Heavy metal toxicity We have gotten better about screening children for lead. Children are not routinely screened for mercury or cadmium toxicity. Cadmium is found in cigarette smoke.

If a child is labeled with the ADD diagnosis, at the very minimum the doctor should have ruled out the above conditions.

Learn more about the role sensory integration plays in AD(H)D.