Boy Scouts of America

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Adult Audience Only


SUMMARY

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a brain disorder found more commonly in children, but adults can have it as well. It involves difficulty with keeping attention, controlling one’s urges, and in maintaining the ability to act appropriately in response to different situations.

GENERAL INFORMATION

ADHD may include problems involving inattention, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, or any combination of these. Symptoms include:

  • An inability to give close attention to details.
  • Making careless mistakes.
  • Difficulty paying attention during tasks.
  • Not seeming to listen when spoken to directly.
  • Difficulty organizing tasks or activities.
  • Struggling to follow through on complex instructions.
  • Being easily distracted.
  • Fidgeting.
  • Difficulty awaiting one’s turn.
  • Interrupting or intruding on others.

No one treatment can cure ADHD, but many treatments exist that have proven effective in reducing its impact on overall functioning. An approach that is likely most effective includes parent training in behavior management, an appropriate educational program, individual family counseling, and medication when required. Scout leaders are recommended to discuss with the Scout’s parents the approaches that are most effective, including the plan for prescribed medication during Scouting events.

How to Help

  • Seat the Scout near a good role model.
  • Allow extra time to complete work.
  • Give clear, concise instructions.
  • Ignore minor inappropriate behavior.
  • Supervise closely.
  • Remind Scout to check over their work.
  • Praise appropriate behavior.

RESOURCES

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.