Our child is having trouble focusing in school. We don't think
this is ADHD because she can sit for hours in front of the computer or the
television without being distracted. Is this kind of behavior common among kids
in the elementary grades? Should we be worried?
Answer:
One of the misperceptions about ADHD is that it always involves
hyperactivity. There are actually three types of ADHD: the hyperactive type,
where kids are bouncing off the walls and climbing on the furniture; the
inattentive type, where kids have difficulty paying attention in highly
structured environments; and the combined type, where kids show signs of both
hyperactivity and inattention.
Speaking very broadly, we find that ADHD in girls often assumes
the form of inattention and lack of focus, whereas in boys it is more commonly
associated with hyperactivity. This means that ADHD in girls is easily
overlooked. Schoolteachers always know the boys, who have ADHD, because
they can't sit still in class, can't wait their turn, blurt out answers,
irritate their classmates and generally make a teacher's job a lot more
difficult.
A girl with ADHD, on the other hand, may sit quietly in her seat
but be unable to focus on class work, particularly when the task is routine or
repetitive or the lecture is less than stimulating. Teachers don't realize that
these girls are falling behind because they are usually well behaved and don’t
rock the boat in the classroom.
If your child does have the disorder, it's not surprising that
she seems to do just fine when watching exciting TV shows or playing computer
games. As a matter of fact, kids with ADHD tend to get hooked on video and
computer games because of the interactive stimulation and the regular
reinforcement they receive from the game through points and ascending levels.
Unfortunately, it's precisely this kind of reinforcement that is so often
missing from the educational setting.
My advice would be to ask your child's teacher or principal to
have her evaluated by the school psychologist. The psychologist will give you
and your daughter's teacher a special questionnaire to fill out. He or she may
also give your daughter some tests or observe her behavior in the classroom. If
she is diagnosed with ADHD, the school psychologist will consult with you and
your pediatrician about the best treatment options. He or she can also work
with the teacher to design some educational interventions that will help your
daughter in school.