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ADHD without Hyperactivity
Question: My daughter has ADD without hyperactivity.
It is difficult for others
to understand as she
is not hyper. How can I explain to teachers and
neighbors more about this?
Answers from other parents:
*** I have a son who has had ADD for quite some time. When dealing
with teachers and educators, I have good results by conferencing with my
son's teacher right after school begins. I give them background information,
trials I have had to deal with, examples of his work with and without
medication and I tell them what I expect of my son in the academic school
year. My son is not a behavior problem and I have found that I can get even
a teacher that doesn't believe in ADD to cooperate with me. I have found
that being up front and open has helped not only me to cope with the
situation but has also helped my son in dealing with his teacher. Make sure
that you do your homework on ADD and know exactly what your talking about
because some teachers do have some knowledge of the subject. Let the teacher
know that you are always available if there is a problem in the classroom and
let her know that you don't mind if she calls your home. Stay focused...be
alert to classrooms situations which can harm your child's academic progress.
It may be helpful to supply the teacher with some literature as to how to
deal with a child that has ADD. If the teacher is not even interested in
helping you ... you may want to change that teacher early in the school year.
You can also request in writing to the school principal and guidance
counselor that you want a teacher that is capable of handling you special
situation. (Do this before school starts) Work with your child. She will
probably need the extra help. I hope that I was of some help. I wish you
the best.
An ADD(ADHD) Mother
***I have over the years attracted many patients diagnosed with ADD, autism
and the like. Providing a non-drug therapy approach with alteration in
diet has produced significant behavioral changes. I would suggest
considering a chiropractic approach for your child. I practice in
Atlanta. A good source for a chiropractor near you would be at
www.chiroweb.com.
Good Luck,
Dr. Bruce L. Salzinger, DC
www.drsalzinger.com
***I have been trying to tell my 1st grade daughter's teachers and school that
she has a real problem but they wanted to keep telling me it was my fault
that she is behind because I was told she was not ready for the first grade
and I should keep her in kindergarten. I have took it upon my
self to take charge and get a different test done so I can help her not hurt
her. As soon as I know for sure I will be at the school to explain the problem.
***Hi, i have a/d/h/d...i'm 16 years old. I'm going through alot of problems now.
I have been diagnosed w/ a.d.d/ a.d.h.d, you asked a question about your
daughters a/d/d. I think the best way to explain, is to tell teachers that your
daughter has a attention disorder. "I have it too... and trust me...it's really
hard to stay focused sometimes.a/d/d is a chemical disfunctioning in the brain,
it's nothing that anyone has done, in fact you would be surprised how many
kids have it, so tell the teachers that ****she might need a little x-tra
help staying focused. **** thank you 4 listening...I hope that I may have
helped. -Matt
***There is a group of disorders known as the ADDs, which affect a child's
ability to pay attention and behave in what is considered the 'normal' way.
There are in fact four different types of ADDs that the medical profession
has identified.
ADHD is just one of the disorders and stands out more due to the H or
hyperactivity.
The disorder was said to be more common in boys than girls by 3 to 1. It is
now believed that in females, the numbers are now much higher. This is
because until recently research was concentrated on boys only, and because
girls are more inclined to be inattentive, than Hyperactivity and therefore
not having any major behavioural problems, which resulted in them being
under diagnosed.
Your daughter can have ADD but not be classed as hyperactive she still has
some of the traits of the hyperactive child though I should imagine.
Sitting still while watching a TV programme, fiddling with something, maybe
chewing her cuffs or hair, all of this is just a little annoying but not in
the proportion of the hyperactivity to be classed as ADHD only ADD.
The people you come into contact with need to understand that the disorder
your daughter has is ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), and Hyperactivity is
just one aspect of this disorder, it is not always present. You could
explain this to them and maybe try to get them to understand how ADD is a
condition over which she has no control, how upset she is by it all, and how
she needs understanding and help not ridicule and disbelief. Also point out
to her teachers how she is not lazy but just does not always see things as
they teach and maybe if they could explain things in a different way she
could understand. I know it is difficult in a large class but then if they
are concerned enough to have made comment in the first place they will make
the effort. They need to boost her self esteem not lower it by making her
feel bad about herself.
Any way I am always on the end of an e mail, and back in the land of the
living now to respond as well!!
Gina
www.addcontact.org.uk
***My son also has ADD without Hyperactivity. He is also a GATE Student
(Gifted and Talented). When talking to his teachers, I usually explain
that it is simply a matter of an inability to focus. I note that he is
not one to run around the classroom or disrupt it in any way physical.
He will usually "fog out" meaning he will be thinking about something
entirely different than the rest of the class - usually something to do
with a computer problem (he loves them). My son is in 8th grade and was
only diagnosed in 5th grade because he was not hyper. I also state that
he is like an absent-minded professor - he will do his homework (with
much concentration difficulty - and my nagging), then forget to turn it
in!!
I hope this helps!!
Jeanenne
***Hi my name is Amanda, I'm 21 years old and my boyfriend of 4 years has
attention defecit disorder. but....he isn't hyperactive at all, not in the
least bit, completely the opposite. I belive his doctors call it
"inattentive". He lacks the ability or rather the desire to express
emotion, and when he does it's extremely short lived. I hear so much
negativity about ADD and I'm ashamed becuase of my lack of knowledge. I know
the major complaint about individuals with ADD is education and how hard it
is for them in school. I know about that all to well because I've been with
him through highschool and college. but the relationship part... how they
interact with other individuals is almost disturbing to me. the only way to
discribe it is, totally not normal. He just recently started taking Aderol,
which I believe has helped alot, but there are also other factors.
Its so confusing to deal with him. Its almost so confusing im not sure what
being normal is, because how he is without the medication is his natural
state. but that state is unbearable, extremely short tempered, forgetful,
selfish, and static. dont get me wrong, he is extremly popular, so many
freinds, but the every day life struggle is the part that his problem comes
into play. I'm sorry for this letter if it has nothing to do with you, please
disregard it, but I saw your concern and its really unusual to find something
about ADD but without hyperactivity, theres a major difference!, please if
you have anything to say, let me know.
***I HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH MY SON CODY. HE IS SO LAID BACK AND VERY QUIET. AS SOON AS I TELL CODY'S TEACHERS THAT HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ADD THEY
AUTOMATICALLY THINK THAT HE IS GOING TO A PROBLEM CHILD WHO NEVER SITS STILL. AND ALWAYS EVEN BEFORE THEY MEET MY SON THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE HIM
MEDICATED. I HOPE YOU FIND SOME ANSWERS. I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW YOUR NOT ALONE WITH YOUR PROBLEM. CRYSTAL
***I have given up trying to convince others, including teachers, that ADD exists.
I simply decide what it is that I need from the teacher in order to help my
child succeed and then go about trying to get it, whether I need to work
through guidance counselors, other teachers, the principal or spec ed dept.
Contact everyone and find out who will work with you and then see what you
can demand from this teacher. Stop worrying what the teacher thinks and
start concentrating on what your daughter needs.
***You describe the same problem that I had last year, it seems that some teachers
won't believe no matter what you say. If it is early enough in the year,
see if you can have your daughter switched to another classroom.
***Try providing some articles and information for the teacher to read about ADD
without hyperactivity and see if you can work out together some ideas that can
help your daughter, after all, school is about your daughter learning.
***Your daughter is lucky she was recognized as ADD, many people without the H
fall through the cracks! My own son is one of them. Not a trouble maker, if
anything, he was a teacher's pet. Relations with peers were dreadful. One of the
difficulties with ADD is that we ( I'm much like him) miss the subtle unspoken
signals that make up a large percentage of communication. What are you doing
right now to help your daughter? How is her all-over health? Eating habits,
allergies, the whole digestive thing? My Alex is 21 now. He is taking a year off
from college but plans to go back in September.We figured out the ADD thing
the spring before he graduated from High School. At the time, he was so relieved
to finally be almost normal, thanks to AFA, that he did not want to look into
ADD oriented study methods. He is finally mature enough to recognize that he
does need some extra help,
so here is what we are planning to do: go to the website of dr. John Taylor, and
get some of the excellent tapes and videos. I learned sooo much at his seminar.
I went there just because John Taylor recommends using AFA, the substance that
had been transforming our lives for the better. I had never heard of ADD without
H. I am sitting there listening
to this man and all these big AHAAAA!!!!s are going off in my head. For the
record, I get NO commission from dr. Taylor, and have no interest in his
enterprise. I just think he is terrific and knows more about daily life with ADD
than anyone. The good man is father of 8, 5 of whom have ADHD. Here is the
website: www.ADD-Plus.com
***My son has the same type of adhd. checkout the ADHD fact sheets available
through CHADD. I have found these to be very helpful. Or...may I ask
why you have to explain this ? Sometimes I get tired of explaining my
son's behavior. Do your neighbors explain why their children behave the
way they do? Maybe the best response is simply...this is the way God
created him/her.
***I am an older ADD man. Your daughter sounds similar to myself, the
'inattentive type.' Growing up no one could understand me at all,
including
myself. However, in time I explored my 'gifts' and am very well balanced.
Your daughter is so fortunate because primarily she has a loving Mom that
cares. Also, in today's climate the experts know how to assist your
daughter
to discover her 'gifts' as she gets older. The explanation to family,
friends and neighbors -- assuming that is a concern -- is that she is shy and
sometimes distracted. I would venture to say that she has creative talents,
if not evident, yet to be explored.
Your love and support will be rewarded someday as your daughter's buds burst
forth into a floral bouquet.
Warmest wishes,
WarrenS