I once overheard a comment that ADD should be called NWE - Not Whipped Enough syndrome. All humor has a grain of truth.
NWE, now how is that for a really stupid comment.
Background: I was involved in relatively early (late 60's, early 70's) studies on ADD and ADHD. I did not do well in classroom settings, but managed to acheive outstanding grades and standardized testing scores without medication.
I have a daughter who has been diagnosed with ADHD, and her case has been described as very severe. Without the medication she takes, she would not be able to function in any setting let alone a school setting. As an aside, I also have 3 other daughters who do not have ADHD, yet are very active.
Certain people have inate skill sets and learned abilities. Puddleglums NWE statement is so stupid it is almost without comparison. Some people just have a very decreased ability to concentrate for longer than a blink of an eye.
Whipping a kid who cannot concentrate is like whipping a one-armed kid who cant hit a home run or punching a dog in the snout because it can't climb a tree. Some people just can't concentrate no matter what kind of training they get or how much beating and fear you instill.