Can Brain Training Help With ADD/ADHD?

As our understanding of the human brain has evolved, so has the terminology that we use to describe it. Similarly, we’ve adapted our vocabulary when it comes to neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD. You may be wondering: what’s the difference between ADD and ADHD? And how does that affect brain training and other forms of support? Let’s find out!

Understanding The Historical Difference Between ADD/ADHD

Our brains are complex supercomputers that we’re learning more about every day. You may be surprised to learn that some doctors began to document clear symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention as early as the 1700s! But it’s only relatively recently—in the past half-century—that ADHD has been more deeply investigated and diagnosed. This has been aided by MRI technology and other advancements.

So what’s the difference between ADD and ADHD? Starting in 1980, ADD was one of the earliest descriptors for ADHD. Over time, that evolved into the term we’re familiar with today—ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.

But it’s not that simple. ADD is still used sometimes as a shorthand for one presentation of ADHD—the inattentive presentation, as opposed to the hyperactive form. Learning about the distinction can help you understand how symptoms manifest differently for everyone.

Understanding the difference between ADD and ADHD can also help you understand how different forms of support—such as brain training—can benefit you or your learner! Let’s take a look.

A Quick Primer on ADHD Presentations and Symptoms  

Inattentive or Hyperactive? The Difference Between ADD and ADHD

You may have already noticed that ADHD can appear very differently for every person. Some people seem constantly powered by a motor, while others appear to be constantly daydreaming or easily distracted.  

That’s because there are different presentations of ADHD, characterized broadly by the symptoms they produce. Here are the three presentations, as described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM):

• Inattentive (ADD).
  This form of ADHD is characterized by difficulties with sustained attention, forgetfulness, or distractibility.
• Hyperactive.
  The other presentation of ADHD manifests in hyperactivity—whether through racing thoughts or restlessness—as well as poor impulse control.
• Combined.
  The most common form of diagnosis, those with combined ADHD share both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms.

In short, while the difference between ADD and ADHD is mostly an outdated consideration, it is important to understand the different presentations of ADHD, as well as the symptoms involved. 

How Different Symptoms Can Cause Challenges

Symptoms of ADHD can vary widely, but that’s not all—these symptoms can also manifest differently from person to person! With that important caveat in mind, here are a few symptoms that may cause challenges:

• Disorganization.
  Even when learners with ADHD strive to be organized, it doesn’t always happen. This can result in a messy physical environment, incomplete tasks, or poor time management.
• Impulsivity.
  Challenges with impulse control make it harder to focus deeply, especially when it comes to paying attention during class. Impulsivity can also make it difficult to prioritize schoolwork or other assignments.
• Impatience.
  A lack of patience can be common for those with ADHD, especially when it comes to difficult tasks. This can lead to learners feeling quickly frustrated or demoralized when trying to learn new material or build new skills.

Supporting All Ages With One-on-One Brain Training

As a recap: ADD is a subset of a broader ADHD diagnosis and it’s important to identify and document symptoms for each learner. That’s crucial in order to understand what they’re struggling with and to help find the right form of support. That’s where brain training comes in!

When you need one-on-one ADHD help, you can always turn to LearningRx. We tailor our approach to brain training with each learner in mind, first identifying where their strengths lie as well as where they wish to improve. We embrace neurodiversity, helping learners celebrate their unique abilities as they tackle new challenges!  

While there’s no difference between ADD and ADHD, getting one-on-one help can provide truly meaningful support! To learn more about what brain training can do, visit LearningRx online or contact 866-BRAIN-01.