(Mar. 10, 2011) — For sophomore Vahan Karchian, doing homework is an everyday hassle. “I’m too lazy to even start,” says Karchian. With so many distractions for Karchian, and many others like him, it becomes difficult to concentrate on a specific task. This can lead to procrastination and eventually lower academic performance. Some student’s lack of concentration, though, is diagnosed as a real psychological disorder. For some Clark students, this constant frustration is the everyday reality of living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Students with ADHD often have a hard time staying attentive and remaining in place for a given amount of time. One anonymous student who is affected by ADHD often describes her life as being much more difficult than that of friends. Diagnosed last summer, she claims that she wasn’t surprised when the doctor told her she had ADD, a type of ADHD with less hyperactive symptoms. The student currently wishes to remain unidentified to keep her disorder hidden and to avoid complications. “I can’t study because when I study I have to have stuff around me to keep me from daydreaming,” the student said. “In class, if I’m not close to the teacher, I’ll probably get a bad grade.” However, author and education speaker Sir Ken Robinson is highly critical of what he calls the “ADHD epidemic.” In a recent speech Robinson said, “These kids are being medicated as routinely as we had our tonsils taken out.” Many Clark students are also skeptical about the ADHD “epidemic.” Sophomore Kyle Bogosian said, “It’s a kerfuffle. Just because you get distracted easily doesn’t mean that you need special attention.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ADD/ADHD affects about 6.2% of school age children in California. Likewise, teachers at Clark are not new to instructing students with ADD/ADHD. Biology teacher Virginia Benzer says that although it’s sometimes difficult to work with these students, there are ways to keep them engaged. “We try to give everybody what they need to succeed, so it’s important get these students moving so they won’t get too distracted,” Benzer said. Students with ADD/ADHD often require more attention from teachers. In addition, school administrators often encourage them to sit in the front of class and they are usually given extra time on tests. “It’s embarrassing because I don’t want any special treatment,” the student said. “I feel like if I didn’t have ADD I would be at the top of my class because I know I’m smart and capable, but I just can’t help it.” Students who have a mental disability that affects their school work can see their counselor and fill out a Section 504 Plan form which gives students extended time on the SAT and other standardized tests. Despite the consequences of living with ADD, the student remains highly optimistic and wishes to go to a four-year college after she graduates. “I think I’m really smart. I just can’t reach my full potential,” she said. “My friends are always there to support me. It’s a good thing.”