ractivity, inattentiveness, and impulsivity that generally show up before a child is seven years old. Although most cases are assumed to be inherited, a small percentage are thought to be caused by central nervous system damage in early childhood, which could be associated with general birth problems, such as an umbilical cord wrapped around the neck, or malnutrition during pregnancy.Experts say that ADD can easily be confused with learning disabilities, especially dyslexia, since 25-40 percent of ADD kids- some say as many as 90 percent- also have a learning disorder, mostly related to reading. In fact, some public health experts say that ADD is not a real medical condition. Others say that it is often confused with normal behavior and misdiagosed. For instance, elevated lead levels in the blood can also cause ADD symptoms, (McCormick, 3).Most ADD cases are treated with one of four stimulants- Ritalin, Dexedrine, Adderall and Cylert. By far the most widely used is Ritalin, which is manufactured by a Swiss company, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. These stimulants are used to calm children down and help them to focus on their schoolwork. There is no definitive medical test for ADD, and that is part of the problem. The best that doctors have come up with is a vague formula. Children are said to have the disorder if they exhibit at least six of these (and other) behaviors for at least six months, and if some of the behaviors were present before age seven:Has trouble paying attention to details; makes careless mistakes in schoolworkHas trouble concentrating on one activity at a timeTalks constantly, even at inappropriate timesRuns around in a disruptive way when required to be seated or quietFidgets and squirms constantlyHas trouble waiting for a turnIs easily distracted by things going on nearbyImpulsively blurts out answers to questionsMisplaces school assignments, books or toysSeems not to listen, even when directly address...
