| Society believes that ADHD is a new disorder, but | | | | time, being off task by talking or being the "class |
| it was actually first recognized in 1845. The fact | | | | clown" during structured activities at school or |
| that ADHD is now diagnosed much more | | | | church, talking excessively, or even having a hard |
| frequently than 20 years ago probably has more | | | | time waiting for their turn when standing in line or |
| to do with changes in special education legislation | | | | during game play. Signs of inattention include being |
| in the early 1990's that increased awareness | | | | distracted by sights or sounds not relevant to the |
| about ADHD and allowed diagnosis and treatment | | | | activity at hand, having difficulty following verbal |
| of ADHD in schools than an increase in individuals | | | | commands or directions on a consistent basis, |
| with the disorder. Some schools of thought now | | | | appearing to be inattentive even when being |
| propose that ADHD is merely a diagnosis given to | | | | spoken to directly, or even avoiding mental tasks |
| children to prevent schools and other programs | | | | that require mental effort, such as school work. |
| from pigeon-holing young people with a serious | | | | Children can be easily redirected at any point, but |
| mental health diagnosis called Bi-Polar Disorder, | | | | the sooner that a child is redirected for being off |
| when in fact, these young people may well be | | | | task, the sooner that the child will be able to |
| Bi-Polar. As with all things, one is left with the | | | | focus and be successful. |
| delimma of which comes first: ADHD or Bi-Polar | | | | Many parents refuse to believe that their child has |
| Disorder. | | | | ADHD when the child is able to sit for hours on |
| The primary symptoms of ADHD are inattention, | | | | end playing video games. This does not rule ADHD |
| hyperactivity and impulsivity. A child does not | | | | out; in fact, it is one of the factors that |
| necessarily need to have all of these to be | | | | physicians, psychologists and other professionals |
| diagnosed with ADHD, and the entomology | | | | use to rule in an ADHD diagnosis. Children with |
| certainly is not limited to these three items. Both | | | | ADHD are able to focus so intently on video |
| children and adults with ADHD are more likely to | | | | games for a variety of reasons. The first reason |
| have difficulty performing in many areas at school | | | | is that ADHD kids (and adults!) are only able to |
| or work and are more likely to have low | | | | focus on short bursts of instructions that have |
| self-esteem and problems maintaining relationships. | | | | only 1 - 3 steps. A second reason is that ADHD |
| Children and adults with ADHD often times strike | | | | children find video games so entrancing is that the |
| out in anger, be it verbally or physically, when | | | | youngsters tend to be more visual than auditory |
| they are frustrated with their inability to get their | | | | when learning or engaging in recreation. A final |
| ideas across in a clear, concise manner. ADHD | | | | reason, but certainly not the last, is that ADHD |
| children are constantly in motion, frequently off | | | | youth are able to engage with their peers in a |
| task, and are often chatterboxes. | | | | much more positive arena when they are able to |
| Signs of hperactivity include, but are not limited | | | | talk about the latest video game that they've |
| to, figiting while seated for specific periods of | | | | played or beaten. |