It is clear that many issues and stimuli can influence a child’s behavior and it is paramount in the evaluation process to pay close attention when we see a pattern in our children as parents or teachers. Children that have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and show outward signs are very typical for a child with this disorder. They have trouble following the teacher’s directions and their attention span is short and they are easily distracted. They can not sit still for a long period of time and they also display impulsive behavior. “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavior disorder, usually first diagnosed in childhood, which is characterized by persistent problems with inattention and/or impulsivity and hyperactivity. ADHD is one of the most researched areas in a child and adolescent mental health. However, the precise cause of the disorder is still unknown” (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 2007, para. 1). Many issues have been raised regarding concerns that children are being incorrectly diagnosed and some parents wonder if treatment for ADHD is necessary.
“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder was first described by Dr. Heinrich Hoffman in 1845. A physician who wrote books on medicine and psychiatry, Dr. Hoffman was also a poet who became interested in writing for children when he could not find suitable materials to read to his 3-year-old son”. (The National Institute of Mental Health, 2008, para. 2). “It is estimated that between 3 and 5 percent of children have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or approximately 2 million children in the United States. This means that in a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one will have ADHD”. (The National Institute of Mental Health, 2008, para. 1). It has been proven that ADHD influences an abundance of elementary age children and directly controls their ability to learn in by the fundamental methods that are common...