"Everything You Need to Know About ADD/ADHD"
By: Abigail Walker, Chairman of the ADD and ADHD
1. What is ADD/ADHD? Is there a difference?
ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder. One of the most common questions is: Is there a difference? Technically, in today’s society, the term ADD is no longer used by medical professionals. What was formally known as ADD is now called Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder – Predominately Inattentive Type, or ADHD-PI (see below). A person with this type of ADHD is inattentive but is not hyper-active or impulsive. ADD is now classified as a subtype of ADHD.
2. How common is ADD and ADHD?
ADD/ADHD is very common. For example, in 2011, 11% of American children had an ADHD diagnosis. 11% may not seem like much to a lot of people, but that small 11% is more than an estimated 6.4 million!
3. How were ADD and ADHD discovered?
The exact origin of ADD and ADHD are unknown. However, several doctors are believed to have started uncovering the disorder. One doctor, Sir George Still, diagnosed an “impulse disorder,” which he characterized as a “defect of moral control.” This was a key event that led scientists to dig deeper into this “impulse disorder.” In 1902, Dr. Still described a group of children who were disobedient, emotional, and uninhibited as possessing this disorder. When he discovered that some of the children had other family members with psychiatric disorders, he blamed biology for their behavior. It wasn’t until around 1980 that ADD and ADHD were finally given a name and classified as two separate disorders.
4. Are there different types of ADD and ADHD?
There are a few different types of ADD/ADHD. A great article, on WebMD, describes them as follows:
ADHD, combined type: The most common type of the disorder. People with this type of ADHD have inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type: People have both hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but they may not show enough symptoms of inattention to fall into the combined type.
ADHD, predominantly inattentive type: People with this type have inattention but not hyperactive or impulsive behavior. This type of ADHD was formerly known as attention deficit disorder (ADD) in the professional community.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A developmental and behavioral disorder. People that have ADHD have inattention, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Typically, symptoms are significant enough to cause problems in everyday life.
Attention deficit disorder (ADD): This is the former name of ADHD, predominantly inattentive type. The term ADD is no longer used in the professional community; however, it is still the most commonly used term by people in general.
Executive function deficit: Executive function is a set of mental skills that are used to get things done. Someone with an executive function deficit has a hard time planning or starting tasks and seeing them through. People with ADHD often have this deficit.
5. How does ADD/ADHD affect my sibling?
ADHD, regardless of the type, affects your siblings in various ways. Sometimes, you may notice that they fidget, which includes tapping their hands, feet, legs, or fingers a lot. They may easily get stressed or fall behind in school due to losing or not completing assignments or other various reasons. Those three characteristics are common in individuals diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. However, it is important to note that symptoms and characteristics vary from person to person.
People with different types of ADD/ADHD can also exhibit different characteristics. For example, with combined-type ADHD, I am both hyperactive/impulsive AND inattentive. I fall behind in school easily because I can’t quite figure out how to organize my school life and I have trouble sitting still frequently. Regardless of how tired my body feels, my brain is still hyperactive. My brother, who has predominately inattentive ADHD, lacks organization skills and he is unable to focus, but he doesn’t struggle with hyper-activity and sitting still.
ADHD isn’t something your sibling can control on his or her own. That is probably the most frustrating aspect for your sibling.
6. What can I do to help my sibling?
Fortunately, there are very simple things you can do that make a HUGE difference for your sibling. If your sibling gets distracted easily and forgets to do tasks, you can give them a simple reminder to help them stay on track. If your sibling is having trouble with schoolwork, maybe you could offer 15 minutes of your time to sit down and help them through their work. If your sibling has trouble staying organized, try helping them in any way you can. These simple gestures can make a big difference.
7. Is there a cure for ADD/ADHD?
Sadly, there is no cure for ADD/ADHD. However, there are ways to manage it. Medicine is the most common treatment for ADHD. Medication helps your sibling focus, sit still, and think more clearly. Another treatment is behavior therapy in which a therapist can help your sibling by working with him or her on activities your sibling may struggle with.
We hope this information and advice helps!
Siblings with a Mission is an international organization established to serve and support siblings of individuals with special needs. All images are found on Google images and are solely used for education purposes. The stories and advice provided by Siblings with a Mission are not to be replaced by professional advice and counseling but to be considered as an additional source of support.
By: Abigail Walker, Chairman of the ADD and ADHD
1. What is ADD/ADHD? Is there a difference?
ADD is Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder. One of the most common questions is: Is there a difference? Technically, in today’s society, the term ADD is no longer used by medical professionals. What was formally known as ADD is now called Attention Deficit Hyper-Activity Disorder – Predominately Inattentive Type, or ADHD-PI (see below). A person with this type of ADHD is inattentive but is not hyper-active or impulsive. ADD is now classified as a subtype of ADHD.
2. How common is ADD and ADHD?
ADD/ADHD is very common. For example, in 2011, 11% of American children had an ADHD diagnosis. 11% may not seem like much to a lot of people, but that small 11% is more than an estimated 6.4 million!
3. How were ADD and ADHD discovered?
The exact origin of ADD and ADHD are unknown. However, several doctors are believed to have started uncovering the disorder. One doctor, Sir George Still, diagnosed an “impulse disorder,” which he characterized as a “defect of moral control.” This was a key event that led scientists to dig deeper into this “impulse disorder.” In 1902, Dr. Still described a group of children who were disobedient, emotional, and uninhibited as possessing this disorder. When he discovered that some of the children had other family members with psychiatric disorders, he blamed biology for their behavior. It wasn’t until around 1980 that ADD and ADHD were finally given a name and classified as two separate disorders.
4. Are there different types of ADD and ADHD?
There are a few different types of ADD/ADHD. A great article, on WebMD, describes them as follows:
ADHD, combined type: The most common type of the disorder. People with this type of ADHD have inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type: People have both hyperactive and impulsive behavior, but they may not show enough symptoms of inattention to fall into the combined type.
ADHD, predominantly inattentive type: People with this type have inattention but not hyperactive or impulsive behavior. This type of ADHD was formerly known as attention deficit disorder (ADD) in the professional community.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A developmental and behavioral disorder. People that have ADHD have inattention, distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Typically, symptoms are significant enough to cause problems in everyday life.
Attention deficit disorder (ADD): This is the former name of ADHD, predominantly inattentive type. The term ADD is no longer used in the professional community; however, it is still the most commonly used term by people in general.
Executive function deficit: Executive function is a set of mental skills that are used to get things done. Someone with an executive function deficit has a hard time planning or starting tasks and seeing them through. People with ADHD often have this deficit.
5. How does ADD/ADHD affect my sibling?
ADHD, regardless of the type, affects your siblings in various ways. Sometimes, you may notice that they fidget, which includes tapping their hands, feet, legs, or fingers a lot. They may easily get stressed or fall behind in school due to losing or not completing assignments or other various reasons. Those three characteristics are common in individuals diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. However, it is important to note that symptoms and characteristics vary from person to person.
People with different types of ADD/ADHD can also exhibit different characteristics. For example, with combined-type ADHD, I am both hyperactive/impulsive AND inattentive. I fall behind in school easily because I can’t quite figure out how to organize my school life and I have trouble sitting still frequently. Regardless of how tired my body feels, my brain is still hyperactive. My brother, who has predominately inattentive ADHD, lacks organization skills and he is unable to focus, but he doesn’t struggle with hyper-activity and sitting still.
ADHD isn’t something your sibling can control on his or her own. That is probably the most frustrating aspect for your sibling.
6. What can I do to help my sibling?
Fortunately, there are very simple things you can do that make a HUGE difference for your sibling. If your sibling gets distracted easily and forgets to do tasks, you can give them a simple reminder to help them stay on track. If your sibling is having trouble with schoolwork, maybe you could offer 15 minutes of your time to sit down and help them through their work. If your sibling has trouble staying organized, try helping them in any way you can. These simple gestures can make a big difference.
7. Is there a cure for ADD/ADHD?
Sadly, there is no cure for ADD/ADHD. However, there are ways to manage it. Medicine is the most common treatment for ADHD. Medication helps your sibling focus, sit still, and think more clearly. Another treatment is behavior therapy in which a therapist can help your sibling by working with him or her on activities your sibling may struggle with.
We hope this information and advice helps!
Siblings with a Mission is an international organization established to serve and support siblings of individuals with special needs. All images are found on Google images and are solely used for education purposes. The stories and advice provided by Siblings with a Mission are not to be replaced by professional advice and counseling but to be considered as an additional source of support.
