Dealing with children who have ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder in children can be problematic to deal with for most parents. A combination of behaviour therapy and medication can help alleviate symptoms
Dealing with children who have ADHD

PARENTING COLUMN

ADHD affects millions of youngsters and often persists into adulthood. ADHD symptoms include problems focusing, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

ADHD kids often have low self-esteem, difficult relationships, and poor academic performance. Sometimes, ageing improves symptoms. Some adults show symptoms of ADHD. They can gain success-related abilities, nevertheless.

ADHD treatment can alleviate symptoms, but it isn't a cure. Treatment often includes medication and behaviour therapy. Early diagnosis and treatment improve the prognosis.

Symptoms

ADHD causes inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behaviour. ADHD symptoms usually occur around age 12, although some children show symptoms as early as age 3. Some people with ADHD may have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms throughout adulthood.

ADHD affects boys more than girls, and its symptoms may differ by gender. Boys may be hyperactive, while girls are oblivious.

ADHD has three types:

Hyperactive and impulsive

Combined

Inattentive

Inattentive children often exhibit the following:

• Not doing homework carefully or making careless mistakes.

• Can't focus on tasks or play.

• Don't listen when directly talked to.

• Can't follow instructions and don't finish schoolwork or other obligations.

• Can't organise responsibilities and activities.

• Avoid or dislike mental-effort-demanding activities like homework.

• Misplace toys, textbooks, or pencils needed for assignments or activities.

• Easily distracted

• Not completing daily chores

Hyperactivity and impulsivity issues include:

• Children with hyperactivity and impulsivity may:

• Shift in seat, tap hands or feet, or fidget.

• Can't stay seated in class or social situations.

• Stay active and mobile.

• To participate in risky behaviours like running or climbing when it's not appropriate

• Can't keep a game or activity quiet?

• Overshare

• Answer mid-question

• They can't wait their turn

• Interrupt others' conversations, games, or pastimes by approaching or ignoring them.

ADHD compared to normal development?

Most healthy kids are inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive. Pre-schoolers have short attention spans and can't focus for long periods. Even with older children and teens, focus and attention are often connected to topic interest.

This is same with hyperactivity. Young children have a lot of natural energy, and they're often still peppy long after they've worn out their parents. Some children are more active by nature. Never diagnose a child with ADHD because they are different from their peers or parents.

Children who don't have ADHD but get along well at home and with friends despite school problems generally have something different. Children whose academic achievement and social relationships are unaffected by hyperactivity or inattention at home are in a similar situation.

Doctor's consultation

Consult a paediatrician or family doctor if you suspect ADHD. Medically evaluate your child's symptoms for other possible reasons.

Causes

ADHD is largely unknown, but study continues. ADHD may be caused by genes, the environment, or difficulties with the central nervous system during development.

Risks

ADHD is associated with the following:

ADHD parent, sibling, or other close blood relative

Being exposed to lead in older buildings' paint and pipes

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking during pregnancy

Too-early birth

Despite widespread assumptions, there is no proof that premature birth causes hyperactivity. ADHD is not caused by childhood attention problems.

Complications

ADHD kids may face challenges.

Have substantial school problems, resulting in academic failure and peer and adult criticism.

Have more accidents and injuries than children without ADHD

Low self-esteem

Have a higher likelihood of being rejected by peers and adults.

Engage in antisocial behaviour, substance abuse, and other antisocial activities more often.

Conditional

ADHD isn't linked to psychiatric or developmental disorders. ADHD children are more likely to have conditions like:

ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) involves hostile, violent behaviour towards authority figures.

Conduct disorder includes anti-social behaviours like stealing, fighting, destroying property, and injuring others or animals.

Disorders causing irritation and impatience

Reading, writing, comprehending, and expressing oneself, difficulties

Substance use disorders (smoking, drinking, and drug use)

Anxiety disorders cause excessive worry and anxiousness.

Depression and bipolar disorder, characterised by depressive and manic behaviour

The autism spectrum condition affects how a person interacts with people and perceives the world.

Tic disorder and Tourette syndrome are characterised by uncontrollable and repeated sounds or movements (tics).

Prevention

To reduce your child's ADHD risk:

Avoid anything that can impede foetal growth throughout pregnancy. Avoid alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes.

Keep your youngster away from dangerous contaminants like cigarette smoke and lead paint.

Limit screen time. In a child's first five years, it may be beneficial to limit TV and video game time, even though the link hasn't been established.

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