medical community as well. And yet, according to one source,
the disorder affects up to 13 percent of America’s school aged
population (Alvarez-McHatton). The medical definition found
in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fourth edition (DSMIV) identifies and describes two distinct categories of
ADD/ADHD: Predominately Inattentive (often called ADD,
more often associated with females) and predominately
Hyperactive-Impulsive (often called ADHD, more commonly
associated with males). Indeed, other sources further break
down the classification into four subtypes of AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder:
(1)
Predominantly
Hyperactive/Impulsive, (2) Predominantly Inattentive, (3)
Combined, and (4) Not Otherwise Specified (Castellanos, et
al). The terms in vogue at the present are “ADD/ADHD” and
“ADHD.” However, for simplicity’s sake, this paper will use the
terms “ADD/ADHD” to indicate the disorder in general, “ADD”
to indicate Predominately Inattentive and “ADHD” to indicate
Predominantly Hyperactive/Impulsive.
Just as difficult as defining ADD/ADHD is diagnosing
ADD/ADHD. There is not a single test that can prove a person
has ADD/ADHD. A comprehensive evaluation is given which is
primarily made up of clinical interviews with the individual