ADD/ADHD Treatment in Children
Rebecca James
COM220/Research Writing
March 24, 2013
Marcia Richards

Parents often have trouble finding the best way to treat their children’s Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Most recently, ADD has become one of the three identified forms of ADHD. Adolescents, who suffer from this condition, usually have trouble paying attention, following directions, and seem to be distracted. They seem to be sloppy and lack organization in what they do. In addition, they seem to be slow to respond to information presented to them. The symptoms of both ADHD and ADD become more apparent during the teenage years as the demands for school, jobs, and friendships, start to display the teen’s inability to stay focused. Adolescents, who suffer from ADHD on the other hand, may display major attention problems. However, they seem to be restless and impulsive. They seem to be hyper. In short, they seem to have difficulty staying still, and tend to speak and act before thinking. Anytime that the intricacy of the life of those affected changes, it becomes a major challenge that they must overcome. Beginning at the elementary school years, following all the way through college, and adulthood, people with ADHD or ADD must go through an extraordinary effort to cope with the arising conditions in their lives. Even though there are different types of ADD with unique symptoms the natural treatments are more effective than the medication (Frazier, Youngstrom, Glutting, & Watkins 1997)
According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are three main types of Attention Deficit Disorder (WebMD, 2013). The first type is Predominantly Inattentive Type. This type includes children who have trouble paying close attention to instructions given. They also tend to make many mistakes, have difficulty maintaining focus and tend to be disorganized. These children also tend to want to avoid activities that require extensive mental effort. In addition, they can be very easily distracted and absentminded. The second type is Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type. Children who suffer from this type of disorder tend to always be restless. They talk extremely and have difficulty staying seated and quiet. They also like to interrupt others and speak out answers without thinking before. The third type is the Combined Type. This type of disorder on children and adolescents shows symptoms of the two types described above. Children who show symptoms of both the inattentive and the hyperactive-impulsive type of disorder may show higher levels of one symptom and lesser levels of the other. For instance, a child who has severe symptoms of not having the ability to pay attention and stay focused can have a lesser degree of symptom of forgetfulness. Consequently, this attention deficit disorder affects each individual in a unique manner.
Although the symptoms of ADHD can be observed on affected children from a very early age, it is not until the child begins school that the signs become very obvious. At this age, disruptive behaviors such as not sitting still, or getting up, and moving around, are clearly observed by the student’s teacher in the case of ADHD hyperactive-impulsive cases. In the cases of inattentive deficit disorder (ADD), the symptoms of the disorder are not detected until later, most likely by the time the child is in middle school or high school. At this stage in their lives, children affected with ADD can seem as shy, and as poor performers. They also seem to lack motivation. As they continue to grow older, they have a great deal of difficulty with organization. This usually results in failing grades, and it is when parents become constantly reminded that a problem exists. The most common complaint of parents of adolescents who suffer from ADHD is problems at school. These students perform poorly on tests, they have a tendency to miss homework assignments, and their work and writing is