What are some of the reasons for behavior problems in school?
• A. We all know kids who can’t sit still, who never seem to listen, who don’t follow instructions no matter how clearly they are given, or who blurt out inappropriate comments-at inappropriate times. Sometimes these children are labeled as troublemakers, or criticized for being lazy or undisciplined, when in fact they may have ADHD, or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Known also as attention deficit disorder, or ADD, ADHD is a condition that appears in early childhood and makes it difficult for children to inhibit their spontaneous responses-responses that can involve everything from movement to speech to attentiveness. • Q. There’s a lot of talk about ADHD. Is it really as common as it seems? • A. Over the past two decades there has been an increase in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. And as physicians have gained more experience with the condition, it has become clear that its impact on life is far greater than we ever expected. ADHD not only interferes with learning an
