EZCNN 易英网

ADHD – A Hurdle, Not a Dead End 注意力不足过动症是种阻碍吗？

课文朗读

课文讲解

繁體中文譯本

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), though classified as a behavior disorder by clinical psychologists, is commonly treated as a learning disability because of the difficulties it causes for students and teachers. While some have argued that this disorder is just a quick-fix diagnosis for a complex body of problems, increased public awareness has given kids with ADHD the chance of a better life.

注意力不足过动症(ADHD)虽然被临床心理学家归为一种行为疾病，但由于会造成学生与老师间的困扰，通常被当作一种学习障碍看待。而且虽然这种病只是一大堆错综复杂病痛的权宜诊断结果，但是大众意识的提升让罹患ADHD的小孩可以过较佳生活的机会。

ADHD is sometimes difficult to identify. Symptoms may include impulsive or overactive behavior, difficulty paying attention, and physical restlessness. Children with ADHD are also often prone to aggressive or disruptive behavior, poor academic performance, and low self-esteem. It can be even more difficult to identify children with ADHD when hyperactivity is lacking [often called simply Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)]. Such dreamy, distant children usually don’t call attention to themselves with disruptive behavior, though ADD still affects their studies. Because everyone occasionally displays ADHD-like behavior and the disorder can’t be tested for medically, diagnosis can be largely a matter of interpretation.

ADHD有时很难鉴定出来，它的症状可能包括：强迫性或过动性行为、记忆力不集中、身体静不下来。罹患ADHD的孩童通常也会倾向有攻击性的行为或行为失序、学业成绩表现不佳、自尊低落。如果罹患ADHD的孩童没有过动的行为（通常仅称作「注意力缺乏症」），这个疾病可能会更难鉴定出来。虽然注意力缺乏症会影响这些孩童的阅读行为，但是这些爱作梦又冷淡的小孩并不会用失序的行为来引人注意。因为每个人偶尔都会有类似ADHD的行为，且这种病医学上是检验不出来的，所以大体上诊断结果还是看医生怎么解读。

To complicate matters, people with ADHD often exhibit what are termed co-morbid conditions, such as learning disabilities or anxiety issue. But the picture isn’t all grim. Research is providing an increasingly clear picture of ADHD, and some treatments have proven effective.

更糟的是，ADHD的患者通常会有所谓的「共同罹病症状」，例如学习障碍或焦虑等问题。但是情况并非都是那么悲观，研究报告显示对ADHD已有愈来愈清楚的认知了，且有些治疗方法也证明有了疗效。

Vocabulary

单词发音

deficit [ˋdɛfɪsɪt] n. 不足; 不足额

hyperactivity [͵haɪpərækˋtɪvətɪ] n. 活动过强

clinical [ˋklɪnɪk!] adj. 临床的

psychologist [saɪˋkɑlədʒɪst] n. 心理学家

quick-fix 【口】应急之道；权宜之计 without depth, detail

awareness [əˋwɛrnɪs] n. 意识

identify [aɪˋdɛntə͵faɪ] v. 识别；鉴定，验明

impulsive [ɪmˋpʌlsɪv] adj. 冲动的

prone [pron] adj. 有……倾向的，易于……的[F][（+to）][+to-v]

disruptive [dɪsˋrʌptɪv] adj.〔指行为等〕扰乱性的; 捣乱的

dreamy [ˋdrimɪ] adj. 神情恍惚的﹐心不在焉的

distant [ˋdɪstənt] adj. 冷淡的，疏远的

interpretation [ɪn͵tɝprɪˋteʃən] n. 诠释; 对…作某种解释

morbid [ˋmɔrbɪd] adj. 疾病的；疾病所致的

grim [grɪm] adj.【口】糟糕的

Sentence of the Day

Kids with ADHD aren’t necessarily slow on the uptake, rather they’re unable to focus on what’s going on.

患有ADHD的孩童不一定是反应慢，而是无法专注在周遭发生的事情上。

课文讲解

It must be stressed that ADHD is a biological problem, not a character deficit. The underlying cause is genetic, not improper parenting or schooling. Modern tools like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have demonstrated that the areas of the brain responsible for attention are underactive in those with ADHD. For this reason, stimulants like Ritalin are prescribed to treat ADHD. Stimulants usually impair concentration, but Ritalin, ironically, allows those with ADHD to concentrate normally.

要特别强调的是，ADHD是生理上的问题，不是性格缺陷。根本的原因是由于先天性的遗传，而不是后天性的家庭教育或学校教育。像核磁共振造影仪之类的仪器已证明，负责注意力集中的脑部区域在ADHD患者身上是活动力不足的。由于这个原因，医师就会开像立得宁之类的兴奋剂当作处方来治疗ADHD。兴奋剂通常会有损注意力的集中，但讽刺的是，立得宁却会让ADHD患者正常地集中注意力。

The treatment of ADHD with medication has received a great deal of media attention, especially in the U.S. Some feel that too many children have been diagnosed with ADHD, and that Ritalin is prescribed to make the problem disappear, not to help children cope with symptoms. However, medication merely provides a window of opportunity to tackle the problem. Once the physical symptoms of ADHD are lessened, children can be taught study and organization skills, relaxation techniques, and other self-help tools. If ADHD remains undiagnosed or untreated, the problems experienced by these kids may snowball into more serious problems.

用药物来治疗ADHD已经广泛受到媒体的报导，尤其在美国更受传媒注意。有些人觉得太多小孩已被诊断出有ADHD，而立得宁就是用来根治这种病症的，不是用来帮他们对付这种病的症状。然而，药物治疗只是提供一个处理这种疑难杂症的契机而已。一旦ADHD的身体症状减轻了，就可以教儿童患者们学习和组织技能、放松的技巧，及其他自助的方法。倘若ADHD仍然诊断不出来或无法治疗，这些小孩所遭遇的问题就会愈滚愈大，最后变成更严重的问题。

If you’re concerned, arrange for a qualified health professional with ADHD experience to examine your child. The good news is, with proper treatment and diagnosis, ADHD can be overcome.

如果你会担心的话，可以安排一位有ADHD经验的合格医疗专业人士来检查你的小孩。好消息是，经过妥善的诊断与治疗，ADHD这种病是可以克服的。

Vocabulary

单词发音

underlying [͵ʌndɚˋlaɪɪŋ] adj. 基本的，根本的

underactive [ˌʌndɚˈæktɪv] adj. 不够活跃的; 机能不全

prescribe [prɪˋskraɪb] v. 开（药方）

ironically [aɪˋrɑnɪklɪ] adv. 具有讽刺意味的是; 出乎意料的是

a window of opportunity  一线机会

lessen [ˋlɛsn] v. 减轻

snowball [ˋsno͵bɔl] n. 雪球

concerned [kənˋsɝnd] adj. 挂虑的，担心的

Sentence of the Day

It would be excessive to say that Ritalin works wonders for kids with ADHD, but in some cases, it provides much needed help.

如果说立得宁对儿童患者能起神奇的效果，话就说得太满了，但在某些案例，立得宁倒提供了迫切需要的帮助。

课文讲解

Joseph, a school counselor, is meeting with Sally, the mother of a student: 一名学校辅导员约瑟夫正和一名学生的母亲莎莉会面：

S: As you know, my daughter Lisa was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I wanted to see how we can make her schooling more successful.

如你所知，我的女儿莉萨最近诊断出患有ADHD，我想了解我们如何让她的学业能更进步。

J: I’m glad you came. We’ve done a psychoeducational evaluation on Lisa and found that she’s very intelligent and has plenty of potential.

我很高兴妳来了，我们对莉萨做过了心理教育评估，发现她非常聪明且很有潜力。

S: She’s smart, but she does have problems staying focused. Perhaps we could minimize distractions by seating her away from the windows.

她很聪明，但是她无法集中注意力，也许我们把她的座位换到离窗户远一点，这样就能尽量让她不会分心。

J: That, and it would be best if Lisa sat at the front of the class where her teacher can give her extra support. Also, we can provide Lisa with extra time during tests. In the past, some parents complained that this practice is unfair, but we believe it just levels the playing field.

此外，如果莉萨上课时坐到前排来，老师就能特别对她照顾点。我们在考试时也能提供莉萨多一点的时间。过去，有些家长抱怨这个措施不公平，但我们相信这样才是真正的平等。

S: I’m glad to hear that! Otherwise, you’d be testing how children deal with their learning disability, not what they know. At home, we find that interspersing homework time with exercise helps her concentrate.

很高兴听你这么说！不然的话，考试就是在考小孩如何处理学习障碍，而不是考他们知道些什么东西了。在家里，我们发现作功课时如果穿插做点运动，可以帮助我女儿集中注意力。

J: Of course. Likewise, we encourage teachers to alternate physical activities with sit-down activities.

这是当然的。同样地，我们鼓励老师们从事体育活动时，能和坐着就能玩的活动交替着做。

S: That sounds great. I’m glad this school helps children achieve their potential.

听起来蛮不错的，我很高兴你们学校会帮小朋友发挥他们的潜力。

J: With hard work and the correct support, I’m sure Lisa will excel.

有了本身的努力，再加上适当的协助，我相信莉萨会有出色的表现。

－by Darshan Tyler & Iain Ferguson

Vocabulary

单词发音

counselor [ˋkaʊns!ɚ] n.（协助学生解决问题的）指导老师

psychoeducational [saɪkoˌɛdʒəˈkeʃənəl]adj. 心理教育的

level the playing field 创造公平竞争环境  to give everyone the same advantages or opportunities

intersperse [͵ɪntɚˋspɝs] v.〔大量〕点缀着﹐散布着

alternate [ˋɔltɚnɪt] adj.（两个）交替的，轮流的

excel [ɪkˋsɛl] v. 突出；胜过他人

Sentence of the Day

 Concerned parenting and effective teaching make a world of difference for kids with ADHD.

关心的父母与有效的教学会让患有ADHD的孩童产生大大不同的影响。

ADHD: What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? (Part 1 of 3)

ADHD: Signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Part 2 of 3)

ADHD: Treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Part 3 of 3)

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)