Wanting to be the best stepdad I could be, I had begun learning about ADD even before our wedding. ADD is something most people have heard of, yet it is widely misunderstood. There have been countless sensational stories about it in the media over the past several years. The press has promoted the idea that ADD is just an excuse for spoiled brats to misbehave. Families who actually live with ADD know nothing could be further from the truth.
ADD is a neurological disorder.
Simply put, its causes lie in the chemistry of the brain. It is not the result of bad parenting, poor diet or any other environmental factor. ADD is something a person is born with, and most of us never outgrow it. The main characteristics of ADD are the inability to pay attention for extended periods of time, a tendency to act impulsively, and, in some cases, hyperactivity. The consequences of these traits are often poor social skills, lack of organization and intense emotional reactions.