Brainworks® - Lazy or Inattentive Attention Deficit Disorder
Lazy or Inattentive Attention Deficit Disorder?
Part 1 of 2
"I was trying to daydream, but my mind kept wondering."
- Steven Wright
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Question
Teachers say my 13 year-old daughter is very capable of doing the work based on her diagnostic testing, but she becomes overwhelmed so easily. Homework time can take forever. It is like she simply can't make herself get started. To look at her, you would think that she had just completed a marathon, but she has not completed the simplest of assignments. I try to get her to ask the teacher for help, but she is too quiet and shy to do so. When I ask her to explain a definition that I feel she knows in her own words, she gives me a blank stare as if I am speaking German. I feel I am in a trap. I am constantly helping her to get through each day. As a result, I think she is developing a habit of expecting to be rescued. Is she simply lazy or is something else going on?
Answer:
It sounds like she could have Inattentive Attention Deficit Disorder. I am pleased that you have had diagnostic testing done to rule out other possible problems such as a learning disability. I recommend that you and your daughter visit with a psychiatrist because this individual has more training to recognize the symptoms of Inattentive ADHD. It is more complex to diagnose than a hyperactive child.
Below you will find 10 characteristics of the Inattentive ADHD child.
- Becomes overwhelmed easily; can only concentrate on one thing at a time.
- Has trouble starting and/or finishing tasks (often forgets to do homework, family chores, or may take "forever" to finish homework).
- May daydream while getting dressed in the morning; fixed stare may mask wandering mind.
- Is distracted by internal thoughts and external stimuli. (The brain can be on 16 channels, but the body appears exhausted.)
- Has a lethargic and apathetic appearance; even when the person thinks fast, he fatigues quickly; is often called lazy and unmotivated.
- Does not get needs met in the classroom because he or she doesn't disrupt others; tends to be quiet, shy or withdrawn resulting in cognitive deficits getting overlooked.
- Has social skills problems (may be quiet, withdrawn, or possibly shy; has trouble with small talk and figuring out rules of social interaction; has a problem reading social cues; tends to be lonely and aloof). Unfortunately, this passivity can cause the person to be an attractive target for bullies.
- Does not perform up to potential; is slow at processing; appears confused or stressed; has difficulty with synthesizing and organizing ideas; is slow responding to questions.
- Is repeatedly rescued; uses learned helplessness and passive manipulation; feels powerless; becomes chronically dependent.
- Could be on an emotional roller coaster (anxious, depressed, explosive temper, grumpy, sarcastic, rude, or abrupt).
For further reading on Inattentive ADHD, read the feature article, "Inattentiveness: The Quiet Disorder" by Debra Moore from the Brainworks Newsletter, Spring 1998.
Next week we will list 10 more symptoms of Inattentive ADHD.
