Typically, the study and treatment of attention deficit disorders have focused largely on impulsivity and hyperactivity - the most visible behavioral signs of the disorder. But as the authors point out, attention dysfunction involves much more than (mis)behaviors: many elements of cognitive, affective, social, and personal functioning are implicated. Seemingly maladaptive activity often represents ADD children's attempts to attain/maintain stability within and unstable attentional system.

Tags: rethinking attention deficit disorders