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ADD/ADHD: New Perspectives on
Attentional Priority Disorders
Articles
Recommended Reading
Related links
At the present time there are increasing numbers of children who are being diagnosed with ADD or AD/HD. There are many views on the cause for this increase and little agreement among those working in the field. Is it a medical problem? Is there something in children's home or school environment that is causing hyperactivity and lack of concentration? Are there pollutants in the environment that may be sources of dysfunction? May food allergies have to do with disruptive behavior?
Most AD/HD authorities believe that about 8% of children have AD/HD, (and around 4% persist into adulthood) yet because of certain children's disruptive behavior, a growing number teachers and parents are requesting medication from their doctors. (see frequency map at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/adhdprevalence.htm) Is medication currently being over-prescribed? It appears that children who are truly ADD or AD/HD should be medicated sooner rather than later as many ADD or AD/HD adults have discovered after years of agony; however, should physicians take the time and care to analyze other factors in their patients' lives? For those children who do not have medical causes, what are other ways of dealing with their behavior?
We begin with the perspectives of two highly esteemed physicians who specialize in AD/HD, and follow with articles from a number of educational psychologists and teachers who offer a variety of approaches to identifying and working with this challenging disability.
We also offer a number of links to other credible and useful resources.
Interview with Dr. Steven Dassel, Pediatrician at Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
A Physician's Perspective Theodore Mandelkorn, MD
Dealing with Difference: Diagnostic Labels, the Hunter-Farmer Metaphor, and Self-Referential Terms of Identity and Affiliation Margi Nowak
Nowak critiques Thom Hartmann's metaphor for ADD.ADD: Does It Really Exist? Thomas Armstrong
Thomas Armstrong questions the rush to diagnosis of children as having ADD and related disorders. He describes the tools used for assessment of these children, the environments that bring out ADD-like behavior in children, and cites evidence that shows many children diagnosed with the disorder function normally when engaged in an activity. Additionally, there is a great deal of controversy over studies that seemed to show differences in brain function between ADD and non-ADD subjects. Thomas asks us to consider the consequences of attaching a psychiatric label to what may be a child's essentially normal, though classroom-disrupting behavior. This article first appeared in Phi Delta Kappan.Alternative Approaches to Managing ADD/ADHD
There are clearly cases of ADD and AD/HD that have been carefully diagnosed by professionals who then prescribe appropriate medications. The following articles and resources do not deal with the medical treatment of such cases. They are also focused primarily on the needs of school-age youngsters. The articles focus on making sure that children's hyperactive behavior and accompanying characteristics are not caused by other reasons before parents and educators turn to medication to allay these problems. For those cases that have not been diagnosed as ADD or AD/HD, there are suggestions for making appropriate changes in the environment and experiences of the child.Helping Children Learn to Pay Attention Jane M. Healy
This article is an exerpt from the book, Your Child's Growing Mind: Brain Development and Learning from Birth to Adolescence (2004) and is posted by permission of the author and by The Parents League Review, in which it first appeared. This file is a pdf.Sensory Integration, Attention and Learning Dana Nicholls and Peggy Syvertson
Because unorganized sensory input creates a "traffic jam" in the brain, it can be difficult to for some people to pay attention and learn. The authors suggest that sensory integration, the organization of tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular input, may be a solution and an alternative to drug therapy for attention and learning problems in children and adults.Listening, The Ear and Development: The Work of Dr. Alfred A. Tomatis Don Campbell
The ear's ability to listen and focus, select sounds spatially and regulate auditory information as it is perceived by the brain has become the theme in over a hundred centers worldwide dedicated to assist children and adults with speech and communication disorders, attention deficit disorders, head injuries, and autism.Stories:The Brain-Compatible Way of Teaching Humans Renee Fuller
Teaching with stories can improve language skills and thinking skills in children of all abilities.ADD/ADHD or Other Names for Malnutrition Samuel C. Zeiler
A nutritionist looks at dietary trends in America and proposes that many children eat diets lacking in nutrients essential to the proper growth and development of the brain. In addition, coping with environmental stresses can impair neurologic functioning. The article suggest simple starter steps to take to make a difference for your own children or for children in your classroom.Speaking Circles Applied to Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) Marilyn Kroplick
Dr. Marilyn Kroplick, medical director of the Center for Attention Deficit Disorder in Los Angeles, California, uses speaking circles to teach people with attention deficit order to have better eye contact, to enjoy conversation, to connect with other listeners, and to develop a greater sense of time.ADD, AD/HD and Brain Gym™ Jon Pederson
Brain Gym™ is a family program that has helped many students with ADD and ADHD. The developers found that impressive results come when a family cooperates in developing a healthy diet, learns to deal effectively with stress, has fun together, nurtures each other and uses movement activities, like those developed by Brain Gym™, to change old patterns.Ritalin Alert! Gretchen LeFever
Current research on the high incidence of AD/HD medication prescribed for elementary school children has uncovered some disturbing trends. We asked Gretchen Lefever, a nationally recognized expert in AD/HD and other child behavioral disorders to give us an overview of this important issue.The Plural of Leaf is Tree Michael Meyerhoff
Michael Meyerhoff writes about the different types of intelligences of two girls. One is an A student and one is an average student; however, the average student possesses incredible curiosity and motivation to learn. He wonders how schools can restructure themselves to value the curious learner, instead of just valuing the learner who can parrot back information.
Bibliography: Reading About ADD, AD/HD and Behavior
Annotated bibliography focuses on ADD/ADHD, what the diagnosis means, alternatives to drug therapies, controversy about the disorders, books to help parents and teachers understand and work with health professionals.ADD/ADHD Alternatives in the Classroom Thomas Armstrong
Academic Success Strategies for Adolescents with Learning Disabilities and ADHD Esther Minskoff and David Allsopp
ADD and AD/HD Organizations, Information and Support
ADD Resources
This organization aims to educate the public on ADD, its effects on individuals, families, classrooms, the workplace and the community and to offer help to people with ADD so they may achieve their full potential.NICHCY: National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
National clearinghouse publishes information about disabilities, including this ADD Briefing Paper compiled by Mary Fowler and a brief ADD Fact Sheet. NICHCY is provides information and referrals for parents and professionals.
LD Online
Interactive website for parents, students and professionals interested in learning disabilities of all types. LD Online contains a number of resources relating to ADD and ADHD, including a long list of ADD and ADHD Resources, and a booklet from the U.S. Department of Education, Attention Deficit Disorder: What Teachers Should Know, the complete text of which is available on the site.
ADDA: National Attention Deficit Association
National support and advocacy organization for children and adults with ADD and AD/HD.CHADD: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
National support and advocacy organization for children and adults with ADD and AD/HD.Teacher Talk: ADHD - The Good, the Bad, and the Hidden: A Student's Thoughts
A thoughtful list of suggestions for teachers and students from Keenan Bosworth, a student with AD/HD. Active learning situations worked for him, as did expectations of excellence from teachers. Posted at the Indiana University Center for Adolescent Studies. Also at the same site: Activities and Strategies for Teachers with ADHD Students.Teacher Talk: Jamie - Trying to Fit In: A Former Student's Perspective
Jamie Cashin writes about her classroom experiences, in particular, about public praise and ridicule from teachers. A little attention goes a long way when you struggle to keep up with classmates.Addresource.com
A free monthly e-zine with information and links concerning ADD and learning difficulties.National Institute of Mental Health : Attention Deficit Disorder
Comprehensive NIMH guide to AD/HD describes the disorder, present knowledge and treatment and research.
This information is provided by OSPI and New Horizons for Learning.
Office of State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Special Education
P O Box 47200
Olympia, WA 98504-7200
(360) 725-6088
Fax (360)586-1631
E-mail: dgill@ospi.wednet.edu
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