A.D.D. Children

ADD Children

ADD children have a unique set of traits different from what's perceived as “normal”. I will list the traits with explainations and others in upcoming postings.

The manifestation of ADD children is correlated to their differences resulting from various stages of physiological development in-utero and beyond. Interactions of ADD children with outside factors during various stages of development such as prenatal, neonatal, infancy, and early childhood may contribute to the manifestation of ADD traits. Environmental influences may have an effect on the characteristics of the ADD child. Parental discipline style, rearing techniques, extended family interactions, role-modeling, and non verbal cues may either have a positive or negative influence of the ADD child in later societal interactions. Here is my condensed list of traits.

Colicky babies. This is a generalized term that’s recognized as more prevalent in "ADD babies". One of many explanations for this notion is that the ADD babies are more “sensitive” to their environment. When they are hungry, they will be difficult; When they soiled their diaper, they will cry; when they feel the wetness on their skin (even just a few drop of moisture), they will cry. Well, you ask, What so different about other babies from ADD babies? The point is that the ADD babies are more intense in their perception of sensory input or the feeling of wetness. As a comparison, the normal child may not cry much from soiled diapers.
Tendency and prone to allergies. Certain foods, food dyes, food additives, processed food, prevalent chemicals/toxins, environmental chemicals, pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, etc. have a higher correlation with adverse effects with ADD children. After the insulting agents or irritants are removed from the ADD child’s system, the ADD symptoms may improve or be eliminated.
They tend to be “scanners” of the surrounding. The term “scanner” is someone who comes to a quick assessment of the current situation and plans an appropriate response. The main point is that they do response rapidly and not whether or not it is the “correct” decision is up for debate. Therefore, much of the ill perceived observations of the ADD child not paying attention or fidgeting are not accurate because they are bored. However, when it is of high interest to the ADD child, they exhibit a kind of hyperfocus ability to focus excessively and inattentiveness appears to be eliminated. This ability is partially related to the child having the ability to multi-task during their later childhood years.
Male ADD Children tend to be hyperactive in their display of lots of activities and movement. Males are therefore more easily observed to be hyperactive.
Female ADD children are nearly equal in their hyperactivity. Some of their hyperactivity behaviors may be masked into socially acceptable traits. For example, the ADD girl may be hyperactive in conjuring up fairy tales, day dreaming episodes, and thinking about the “Prince” in her live in her mind. When girls are hyperactive, they may be referred as “tomboys” and are dismissed as tomboys. With increasing equality in boys and girls athletics, these girls may have an avenue to express their hyperactivities in sport venues. Perhaps, when the hyperactivity is extrapolated to the dating years of the girls, the ADD trait may manifest in many short intense relationships with boys; in a “hot and heavy” fashion with lots of boys.
Creative. ADD children tend to be very creative. A good deal of people in the entertainment industry has ADD traits. For example, actors, actresses, musicians, and comics to mention a few career choices.
Resourceful. They think quickly and response quickly. Therefore, they tend to be resourceful at what they are trying to solve. Partly because of their “impulsivity” or the lack of inhibition, they think outside of the box to arrive at solutions.
“Anti-Authority”. This term has been used to referred some of the ADD children. I think it’s a misguided term because of many factors. They are not anti-authority”, per se, but the anti-authority trait is more consistent with doing things their way.
Impatient. ADD children gets bored easily. That’s why they are impatient. They want things now! This phenomenal may be their erroneous interpretation of the sense of time.
“NO FEAR” attitude. They tend to exhibit a kind of no fear attitude because of their diminished inhibition. They think, they act. This is part of the impulsivity component of the ADD triad. Furthermore, they may favor high-risk behaviors and extreme sports. Societal acceptable behaviors would be the adrenaline rush of the “extreme sports”.
Practical/rational. This is a diagnosis of paradox. You ask how can someone who is impulsive be rational and practical? I think it is because they think and rethink their decisions many times over that they by chance arrive at the most practical and rational decision.
Energetic. They are filled with bundles of energy (and hence, hyperactivity…). My personal interest and contribution is to help ADD kids (and adults) harness and refocus that energy into a productive direction.
Philanthropic. They tend to be more giving as their way of showing appreciations.
Loyalty. I think there is a higher sense of loyalty to their friends, family, circle of influences, etc. than their normal counterpart. I don’t quite know how to interpret this attribute but will attempt to elaborate this later.