Statistics show that as many as 4.4% of adults actually have some degree of Attention Deficit Disorder. Statistics show that people with this disorder are less likely to achieve academically and can have difficulty holding down long-term, full-time employment.
The cause of ADD relates to the brain’s dopamine neurotransmitter systems. Some have suggested that it can be caused by poor diet but this theory has been disproven. And ADD is never caused by bad parenting. Most cases of ADD are actually inherited. A child is 30% more likely to exhibit the symptoms of ADD if a parent or close family member has the condition.
The symptoms of ADD can generally be recognized in childhood. Children are known to develop through three distinct stages. The first takes place when they are babies and they start to focus on an object such as a rattle or a mobile. The object may hold their focus for a period of time.
The next stage will be familiar to parents of toddlers as this is when their attention is continuously shifting from one thing to another. If a child continues to show this type of behaviour they are likely to be diagnosed as having ADD.
It’s the during the third stage that children develop the ability to focus for longer periods of time and to shift that focus at will. This ability is recognised as mature and is exactly what is required in the classroom.
A key aspect of ADD is not only the inability to concentrate on a topic or task for a very long period of time. ADD sufferers lack the ability to choose what they focus upon and what attracts their attention. This can become very apparent when a child with ADD has to carry out a routine task like getting ready for school. They may not be able to wait patiently, instead being distracted by anything else around them.
What is happening is that their brain is not adequately stimulated to release neuro chemicals and so it looks for additional stimulus. For them this is a reflex reaction that is outside their control.
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I hope that these brief notes have provided some insight into the causes of ADD. Many forms of treatment exist, including drugs, but outdoor activity has been found to be therapeutic. Bushcraft courses can be a great way to learn about the outdoors at any time of year. Just make sure you are wrapped up in some warm outdoor clothing and you take along a good sleeping bag.
