This is Steve Ember with the VOA Special English EducationReport.

We continue our series about learning disabilities. So far, wehave discussed some of the brain disorders that make differentskills unusually difficult to learn. Last week, we told how schoolscan help.

Today, we discuss something that is not considered a learningdisability itself. We include it in our series because it caninterfere with learning. Our subject is attention deficit disorder,or A.D.D. A related form is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-- A.D.H.D.

These are some of the signs of one or both: Children cannot sitstill and control themselves. They talk excessively, and do not seemto listen. They lose things, forget easily and are not able tofinish tasks.

Many of us experience problems like these at one time or another.But people with A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. say it interferes with theirlives and threatens their chances for success. One woman says it islike having twenty televisions in her head, all on differentprograms.

Doctors say the cause involves chemical balances in the brain. Itcan affect not only school performance, but also personalrelationships and the ability to keep a job. Many people withattention deficit are also found to have a learning disability orsuffer from depression.

A doctor has to identify A.D.D or A.D.H.D. There are drugs tohelp the chemical balances in the brain. These drugs calm peopledown, so they can finish tasks. But there are also possible sideeffects.

Critics say parents and doctors are often too quick to givedrugs. Some children outgrow effects like hyperactivity. Criticsalso express concern at the growing numbers of boys and girlsidentified with A.D.D. or A.D.H.D. Others say these are realdisabilities.

Drugs alone are not enough. Other important parts of treatmentinclude providing a supportive environment. Students need to learnorganizational skills, better use of time and different ways tostudy. They often need extended time to take tests, and individualhelp from concerned adults. Experts say children who make problemsin class may not find their schoolwork interesting enough ordifficult enough.