Can Inattention Disorder (like ADD or ADHD) be reversed?

Question

My soon-to-be-stepson's mother raised him with a lot of television and video games (and continues to do so). On top of that, she had little interaction with him working on projects and schoolwork one-on-one.
He is now 9 years old. He can't keep his mind on anything for very long. Even fun school projects are a huge chore for him to complete and he doesn't put any effort into them (ie: The class was going to build a model city out of boxes. Each child was given a blank box to create any kind of building he/she chose. All he did was write in plain black pen a few boxes for windows and a little stick-figure guy and refused to do any more work on it.)
We live near a large park that most kids would beg to go to...schools take kids on field-trips there, but he will whine and refuse to go when we go because he wants to stay home and watch TV or play video games. He has no interest in doing anything that would require any small amount of concentration or work. He refuses to read or try to read besides the bare minimum required of him in school. He goes from one game to another to another, etc...
Well, you get the idea. I guess my question is... Can this be reversed? Is there something we can do to reverse this effect, or is that pretty much a hopeless cause? We don't get to see him much (a couple of weekends per month), but there must be SOME kind of exercise we can do to reverse this. Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks,
Angela

I say "Inattention Disorder" because I am not saying he has ADD or ADHD. I have been reading about how TV affects developing brains of children and specifically work by Dr. Dimitri Christakis who studies the link between TV and attention problems in children. What my soon-stepson seems to have matches what this doctor describes seeing in his work as "Inattention".

See here: http://www.turnoffyourtv.com/healtheducation/tv_adhd/adhdmiddle.html

I KNOW how he was raised incorrectly and his mother is inattentive and he lacks supervision. In the short time that I am a "parent" to him, I try to do the opposite of what she does...healthy meals, physical exercise, educational games, social outings to the park or zoo, a consistent bedtime, etc...
I don't believe he has ADD or ADHD because that is more of a chemical disorder. I believe his behavior is more of an "inattention" problem that is more of a conditioned response to the constant passive entertainment of the TV.

My question is...once his attention span has been shortened like that, is there anything that I can do to work with him to reverse the short attention span that being constantly & passively entertained while he's at his mother's house has created?

Answer 1

that's not add. that's a kid who's been left on his own to much so yes, it can be reversed. it will take ALOT of work and even more patience. he needs to learn how to play. i don't think he really knows how. as far as homework and reading, he's probably behind in a lot of subjects. you more than likely have no say in this but your husband does-- talk to the teachers about maybe keeping him back a year to catch up. when he's with you two, make sure there is no video games and minimal tv. make a point to get out of the house and introduce him to the world around him. swimming, hiking parks, all of it.my bet is, he's never really seen it. best of luck to all of you.
edit-after reading your added comments, i'd have to say that while it is possible to reverse what she has done or not done,it will be very difficult due to the fact that it won't be done at his moms house. what you can do is institute the laws for your home,which you've already done. as long as he does the right thing and acts appropriatly when he's at your home thats about all you can do.

Answer 2

It's called ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER not inattention...(rolling eyes). Depending on the child it can be conrolled by medication. The only way to know for sure if a child has ADD or ADHD is to have a doctor diagnose it. It doesn't sound as if your son has ADD or ADHD, it sounds more like he is spoiled, has been handed television and video games and is allowed to watch/play without limit or supervision. Yes it CAN be reveresed because his isn't ADD or ADHD...it is called lack of parental supervision and the only way to "fix" it is to limit his time vegitating in front of the teleivsion or video game system. Take the game system OUT of the bedroom take the television OUT of the bedroom, make him get his lazy butt up OFF of the couch and go outside and play. Limit his time vegitating to an hour a day at the most.

Answer 3

No, it can't be reversed. We discovered my 14 year old daugter had ADD when she was 6 years old.

Things you can do:
1) Ask a doctor to put him on medication. As he gets older the medication will teach him how to focus, eventualy he'll learn how to function like a normal person and not need the meds.

or

2) Put him in a quiet room when he works on his homework. It must have NO distractions, or he will not be able to focus.

Best of Luck

Answer 4

i am sorry that i don't have a specific answer to your question, but i do not believe that your stepson is ADHD. i am and as a result know a lot of people who are and we generally have energy to burn and the prospect of going to a park to burn it off would always be something we would not hesitate to do.

i think it is great that you are trying what you can to build a relationship with him and to help him get ahead in life, but i think that focusing on the perceived ADHD might lead you astray.

Answer 5

Check out these natural self help techniques for ADHD-check out these by Jason if there is a concentration or ADHD problem associated with the poor handwriting.
"BEING IN CONTROL:Natural Techniques For Increasing Your Potential And Creativity For Success In School."
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9659025114/
"Being In Control : Natural Solutions For ADHD Dyslexia and Test Anxiety'.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9659025130/

Answer 6

i dont think so...... he can take medication for it though...... and its "attention deficit disorder" (thats how they get the ADD..... its not ID)......