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attention deficit disorder
A family of neurobiological disorders characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inability to sustain attention and concentration.
Additional information
Students recognized with ADD are now recognized as handicapped under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which guarantees special education services to children with disabilities from ages 3 to 21. ADD is thought to affect between 3 and 5 percent of school-aged children, occurring three times more often in boys than girls. Treatment can be a combination of behavioral and medical intervention (such as Ritalin).
ADD vs. ADHD. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, they may also be used to distinguish between disorders that, while neurobiologically similar or identical, manifest themselves differently. In this case, ADD is the more general term, while ADHD describes a disorder that manifests itself in hyperactivity. The organizations whose websites are listed below offer more information about the various manifestations of ADD/ADHD and the uses of the two terms.
