| Attention Deficit Disorder, in itself, | | | | Older children may have problems |
| is not a learning disability. The term | | | | spelling and reading, writing, and |
| "learning disability" typically refers | | | | arithmetic disorders may arise. |
| to a perceptual disability, such as an | | | | Likewise, dyslexia, a reading disorder, |
| auditory or visual processing disorder, | | | | is common in children with ADD. |
| like autism or dyslexia. A person with | | | | However, none of these disabilities is |
| ADD, however, has no problems perceiving | | | | inherent to Attention Deficit Disorder. |
| or interpreting information. Therefore, | | | | While some children may have them, many |
| it does not qualify as a learning | | | | will not. |
| disability. | | | | Whereas ADD may cause difficulty in |
| Although it is often jumbled in with the | | | | learning, steps may be taken to help the |
| mass of "disabilities", ADD actually | | | | child perform well in spite of the |
| does not hinder the process of learning. | | | | disorder. Most ADD children do better |
| A child with ADD can intake | | | | with a schedule - the exact same thing, |
| information, process it accordingly, and | | | | day in and day out. Because they may |
| preserve it in memory, just like any | | | | have problems with memory retention and |
| other person. The problem comes with | | | | are easily distracted, this helps them |
| getting them to pay attention long | | | | stay on track, because they are acting |
| enough to hear the information in the | | | | out of habit. |
| first place! | | | | The same goes for organization; a set |
| A child with Attention Deficit Disorder | | | | way to do things and places to put |
| may have difficulties in school and with | | | | things makes it easier to remember and |
| learning in general, but it is not due | | | | stay on course. On the same token, |
| to a learning disability. Often, when a | | | | teaching the child to utilize |
| child is treated for ADD, their academic | | | | organizational binders and planners also |
| performance improves by leaps and | | | | helps them stay organized and keep up |
| bounds. On the other hand, an | | | | with important assignments. |
| individual with ADD may not have any | | | | During class time, it helps if an |
| difficulty in learning at all; this will | | | | interactive approach is taken as opposed |
| vary by person. | | | | to a lecturing style - this keeps the |
| However, while ADD is not a learning | | | | child's attention better and decreases |
| disability, it is often accompanied by | | | | the likelihood of distractions. |
| one or many. Some children, | | | | The most important thing is to not make |
| particularly at the preschool age, may | | | | ADD a crutch for the child; they can |
| have difficulty interpreting sounds or | | | | grow and be successful, even with this |
| words and may also have speech issues. | | | | disorder. |