"Robert daydreamed so much that he was pulled out of school. Frank went into such trancelike dreams that one had to shout at him to bring him back. Equally problematic were Sam's restlessness and verbal diatribes. Virginia, too, demonstrated a tendency to talk on and on. Thomas experienced school problems, in part because of his high energy. Nick's tendency to act without thinking caused him to have several scrapes with death and near-tragedies, such as plunging to the earth from the roof of a barn, clutching an umbrella" (Cramond). These are examples of situations that are common to many children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Children with ADHD tend to have creative and unique was of thinking, and many problems focusing on one task, especially in school situations. Today children with this disorder are frequently prescribed medications to control their attention and/or hyperactivity. But are we doing what is in the best interest for children, or making it easier on the adults who have to deal with these children daily?

In the previous stated examples we can see how the concentration, hyperactivity, and unique ways of thinking, "and behaving that were exempli

fied by Robert Frost, Frank Llyod Wright, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Virginia Wolf, Thomas Edison, and Nikola Tesla. All of these individuals faced school problems, dark diagnoses, or worse. These are example of creative individuals whose behavior could also be interpreted as the inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" (Cramond).

Also consider the direct exposure children have to massive amounts of television, video games and computer use. The inactivity of children while using such devises, combined with the lack of sensory-motor and visual processing skill development associated with these activities will, over time, dull a child's senses. Ever hear of the term "couch potato" or "veg out," implying limited movement and minimal cognitive processing. All of these factors are leading to the underdevelopment of our children's sensory motor skills, causing them to show the symptoms present in ADHD.

Many different theories are out on why children have developed this "disorder" (is it a disorder or just different?). Some say it has been around forever and people just never acknowledged it to be a problem, or these children were considered problem children and looked down upon in the classroom. Experts such as Richard DeGrandpre, believe that this is a problem that has developed recently in children, even though it could be found in few cases over time. DrGrandpre believes that this problem developed because, "Americans in their quest for material success, have grown unable to slow sown their lives. By imitating and being pushed by parents, American children are being misdiagnosed with ADHD, because when with their parents they are constantly running around they will never be taught how to sit, relax, and concentrate on one task at a time" (AP, The Journal News). Thus, our nations children are becoming hyper stimulated because our society is so fast paced. Another specialist in the field who agrees with DeGrandpre on this issue says, "we are no longer willing to intimidate children into compliance, but we might just be willing to drug them into it" (AP, The Journal News 1999).

The truth is within the past two generations a phenomenon has taken place in connection to children across this country. Today one and a half million children take medication to focus attention and control hyperactive behavior (Freed 216). Most of these children have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. There are three types of ADHD the first consists of inattention only or the inability to focus attention. The second consists of hyperactivity and impulsivity. The third form of ADHD is a combined type where the child or adult has difficulty dealing with attention and hyperactivity and impulsivity. Children with ADHD are typically prescribed a drug called Ritalin (or one similar to it), which is a methylphenidate (recently amphetamines have been used also) making it easier to control behavior.

At a co

Some common words found in the essay are:
Richard DeGrandpre, Children ADHD, Press Journal, Program NTP, ADHD Coincidence, Riddle Moreover, DRD4 ADHD, Disorder Robert, Ritalin Fist, ADHD Additionally, hyperactivity disorder, deficit hyperactivity, attention deficit hyperactivity, deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit, children adhd, child's behavior, journal 1999, adhd children, child's academic performance, symptoms associated, associated adhd, control hyperactive, symptoms associated adhd, improve child's behavior,
Approximate Word count = 2022
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)