2004-3-17
This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English Education
Report.
We continue our series about learning disabilities. So far, we
have discussed some of the brain disorders that make different
skills unusually difficult to learn. Last week, we told how schools
can help.
Today, we discuss something that is not considered a learning
disability itself. We include it in our series because it can
interfere with learning. Our subject is attention deficit disorder,
or A.D.D. A related form is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
-- A.D.H.D.
These are some of the signs of one or both: Children cannot sit
still and control themselves. They talk excessively, and do not seem
to listen. They lose things, forget easily and are not able to
finish tasks.
Many of us experience problems like these at one time or another.
But people with A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. say it interferes with their
lives and threatens their chances for success. One woman says it is
like having twenty televisions in her head, all on different
programs.
Doctors say the cause involves chemical balances in the brain. It
can affect not only school performance, but also personal
relationships and the ability to keep a job. Many people with
attention deficit are also found to have a learning disability or
suffer from depression.
A doctor has to identify A.D.D or A.D.H.D. There are drugs to
help the chemical balances in the brain. These drugs calm people
down, so they can finish tasks. But there are also possible side
effects.
Critics say parents and doctors are often too quick to give
drugs. Some children outgrow effects like hyperactivity. Critics
also express concern at the growing numbers of boys and girls
identified with A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. Others say these are real
disabilities.
Drugs alone are not enough. Other important parts of treatment
include providing a supportive environment. Students need to learn
organizational skills, better use of time and different ways to
study. They often need extended time to take tests, and individual
help from concerned adults. Experts say children who make problems
in class may not find their schoolwork interesting enough or
difficult enough.
Our series continues next week. All of our reports are on the
Internet at WWW.testbig.com. We also have links to
organizations for people with A.D.D. or A.D.H.D in thirty-nine
countries around the world.
This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Nancy
Steinbach. This is Steve Ember.