Parents have recently raised concerns about the number of children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (AD/HD) landing in Juvenile Court for misdemeanours. Reporter Karen Smith finds out more about both conditions. The names of those involved have been changed to protect the identity of the children.

For any normal 12-year-old boy, sitting still for 50 minutes while his mother talked to a friend or colleague may not pose much of a difficult task.

But, for Ben, it was out of the question when his mother talked to The Royal Gazette about her son's Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (AD/HD) last week.

First he had to get chips from the office vending machine, then it was a drink. He was either jumping around in his chair, repeatedly banging a pen on the table, slapping his shoulder, or sliding the rubber table mats back and forth with some speed throughout the interview.

Eventually, he had to go for a walk to occupy his mind and his energy.

"Some people believe it isn't real," said his mother.

But, I had to agree with her - AD/HD was very real.

Ben was in kindergarten in the US when his mother first realised there was something seriously wrong with his behaviour.

"Pre-school was a nightmare for me," remembered Caroline.

"Every day I would pick him up and there was another report. I would drive home crying, wondering what was wrong with him. I always questioned what I was doing wrong as a mother. 'Why me' was a common thought.

"He would kick and scream, hit out and spit at the teachers. I would say to him, why can't you behave and be like normal children. I had no idea then that he actually could not help it."

For Caroline, who was a single mother at college, there began a long and arduous road that would bring her close to breaking point on more than one occasion.

But, with early diagnosis, medication and a great understanding of her son, she now feels her only child is learning to cope with the condition, and together they help each other through it.

"I had always just put it down to him being an energetic boy, but then one day we were in a restaurant and he wanted to sit under the table to draw. He said he would be able to concentrate down there, where as he couldn't while he sat up at the table," she said. "I found that strange for his age.

"But when he was in kindergarten he also started to come home saying he was stupid. He said he felt like that because he could not sit still like everyone else. They were the real triggers for me."

Teachers at his kindergarten suggested she take Ben to doctors, who diagnosed AD/HD. He was only aged about four then.

But after numerous psychological assessments, Ben is now living back in Bermuda and is coping remarkably well with his condition.

He takes medication twice a day, is in public education and is extremely sociable.

More than that, Ben is one of the brightest children in his age group, and was even placed on enrichment courses throughout the summer.

"After he started on the medication, I immediately noticed a difference," said Caroline.

"The difference was not really in his behaviour - he has never been calm and quiet - but for the first time he was colouring in pictures neatly. It was no longer just a lot of scribble.

In the early days, and even now, sometimes, any change from routine disrupts Ben's ability to concentrate, so teachers and his family have to ensure they are organised, and that Ben is constantly aware of what is happening.

His mother said even a teacher leaving a classroom unannounced could lead to problems, so she has always been grateful to teachers in Bermuda's public system who have taken her son under their wing and given him particular attention.

She said in the primary and middle levels, where structure is vital, all is well, however, she said she was concerned that secondary school may pose a problem as children have to move around more from lesson to lesson.

"He has always tested very high in exams," said Caroline. "He is a very able boy, and academically he is always in the top bracket, but that can cause problems in itself because he always seems to finish his work before everyone else, and then he can become impulsive and disruptive.

"I always have to explain to teachers that it's important for them to have extra work ready for him, so he can keep his focus.

"The teachers can see he is smart, but he sometimes doesn't make smart decisions. And if you were to put him in a crowd of 100 children, he would hook up with the worst one. That is very much a source of frustration to me. He seems to attract the wrong kind of kids."

But she praised public school teachers who had supported her son throughout.

She said: "One teacher used to even call me at home when she was sick and unable to go in. I think knowing that they cared and that he was in good hands, made me feel so much better."

On a personal level, Caroline said she had sometimes found it extremely difficult to cope with such a demanding child.

Fortunately for both her and Ben, her parents have played a pivotal role in their lives, offering to step in from time to time to offer her some relief.

But she said if things got just too bad, she would take some time out for herself for a while.

"I take a very long shower - that is my escape," laughed Caroline.

"Sometimes I just have to separate myself from the situation before I become too angry."

Caroline said if she was to give advice to other parents with newly diagnosed children, she would suggest that they really get to know their child, and become advocates of them.

"They should research the condition and immediately create a very structured environment," she said.

"It is very important that they meet with teachers to explain. Other than that, it's just a case of feeling your way along, and learning as you go. I'm still learning now."

But she said she did worry about Ben more than she might have otherwise.

She added: "As he is maturing, he is learning to deal with his AD/HD much better, which is a big comfort to me.

"He doesn't really get away with anything. I tell him that he is in control of himself and there are no excuses.

"But on a scale one to ten for AD/HD, I would say he started out probably at a ten, but is now about a six. That is progress."