babies that have been prenatal exposed to drugs, including alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, and heroin, ADD needs to be carefully watched for. Increasing numbers of premature infants are found to have the disorder as well. A psychiatrist or clinical or school psychologist usually makes a diagnosis. In order to do this, physicians, psychologists and educators conduct an evaluation that includes a health and developmental history, medical evaluation, psychological and educational assessment, behavior rating scales completed by the parents and teacher, and possibly a speech and language evaluation (Miller 25). Hyperactivity is the most obvious symptom. Children with this condition are unable to control their actions even under the most closely monitored situation. Parents often expect that certain foods cause hyperactivity, but children with ADD are hyperactive even though these foods are not part of their diets. Other primary symptoms include inattention, distractibility, impulsiveness and short attention span. There are problems with organization and transitioning from one activity to another. The disorder can be complicated by other kinds of learning and/or behavioral problems as well. Thought patterns may be loose and poorly organized. Children have difficulty with memory, following directions and completing tasks. Learning disabilities in math, reading or written languages may accompany the attention deficit. Late physical maturity is often seen and can cause social problems and difficulty fitting into peer groups. Overexaggeration of emotions is common in children with ADD/ADHD, as in an inability to calm themselves. When these children are excited, they can become overly excited. When they are upset they can become extremely upset and difficult to soothe. Many of these children have allergies to certain food substances. Some children may appears quiet or passive in nature and remain undetected. Few children with a...
