Recognizing Attention Deficit Disorder without Hyperactivity in Your Child

If you pay attention to today's media, one would think that the only type of attention deficit disorder that can be found in a child is that involving hyperactivity. While many children do exhibit symptoms of AD/HD, it should be realized that this collection of conditions spans an entire range of possibilities, including attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity. The question is though, how does a parent recognize this aspect of the spectrum?

A Different Collection of Symptoms

While many kids with AD/HD are easily diagnosed by their acting out in class and running around, those showing signs of attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity show more subtle signs. Often, these children appeared bored with school, often spending most of their time distracted and day dreaming through class. Also, their verbal skills are often advanced, but their ability to wait their turn is somewhat lacking.

Often children with attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity will try to interrupt during conversation, and finish other sentences, since they often can understand where the conversation is going before it gets there. While these habits can be annoying, often they are over looked as possible signs of a serious condition.

Another aspect of attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity that many parents and teachers don't really consider is that there are often other learning disabilities that might go along with ADD. These can include having trouble with numbers, or dyslexia. Conversely, children with this condition often will excel easily in an area where characteristics of their attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity are utilized to their best advantage.

Some potential areas where your child could excel are in art, metal or wood shop, or even music. It should be cautioned, though, that just because your child is a fantastic artist does not mean that he has attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity. Only your doctor can make that determination.

Things to Help Your Child with Attention Deficit Disorder without Hyperactivity

There are quite a number of things that you can do to help your child excel and grow with this condition. There is no permanent cure for it, but often little things that you and your family can do can help him or her deal with the symptoms. The first is to make sure there is a reasonable schedule for the child. Nothing too regimented, but a simple routine each day that the child can refer back to is a great way to help him or her focus easier. In addition, for homework, convince your teachers to allow your little student to use different colored highlighters or pencils on the homework. The changes in color can help your child with attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity to remember what he or she is trying to learn.