How to recognize and help your child's ADHD

What is ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological disorder of behavior that the person who is ill cannot control (this is important). It has three key manifestations. Or, in some cases, a combination of them:

Inattention. It is difficult for a child to concentrate on a task. He lacks the persistence to continue what he started for more than a couple of minutes. And these problems are not related to the fact that he “disobeys” or does not understand the question.
Hyperactivity. The child cannot sit still, including in those situations where calmness and silence are required. He bounces, twirls, kicks, asks a million questions, itches, giggles, or is just obviously nervous.
Impulsiveness. This means that children do what they want, instantly, without thinking about the consequences. For example, another child takes their car in the sandbox - they beat the offender. It is necessary to the carousel - they run to it, pushing the others with their shoulders. I wonder what the appearance of others is connected with - they ask directly and loudly: "Why is this old aunt so fat?"

Most often, ADHD is associated only with hyperactivity. But this is a mistake. The child can be reserved and balanced phlegmatic. Just extremely inattentive.

To make a diagnosis, it is enough for a doctor to observe one or two of the above manifestations of the disease. In this case, ADHD is divided into types: predominantly inattentive and predominantly hyperactive-impulsive. But in most children, all three problems are present in a complex - this type of ADHD is called combined.

How to recognize ADHD

If you think that almost all children exhibit this behavior from time to time, you do not think. Almost everyone can act like ADHD at some point in their life. That is why there is an opinion that this disorder does not exist ADHD and the Rise in Stimulant Use Among Children - they say, these are fictions designed to hide a bad upbringing or, say, a low level of intelligence.

Despite the controversy, ADHD is an official medical diagnosis. International Classifier of Diseases ICD-11 6A05 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder refers it to neuroontogenetic disorders - diseases in which the psyche fails and gives out a pathological reaction to sensory information coming from outside.

And there are very clear diagnostic criteria that help recognize ADHD.

1. Age

ADHD symptoms most often first appear between the ages of 3–6 years, but most Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) cases are diagnosed between 6 and 12 years of age.

If you suspect your teenager has ADHD but are not sure if he or she had the same problems in preschool age, it is most likely some other disorder. Or simply behavioral problems with no neurological connotation.

2. Symptoms that last at least 6 months

To make a diagnosis, a long-term - at least six months - Slideshow ADHD in Children - observation of the child's behavior is required. And not only in a family or a familiar environment, but also in a kindergarten or school.

The doctor - pediatrician, neurologist, psychologist, psychiatrist - should talk in detail with the parents and the child himself. And also, ideally, interview other people who work with him - educators or teachers. Only this allows you to add a whole picture.

3. Symptoms that recur at home and in kindergarten or school

With ADHD, the child is unable to control his or her behavior. Therefore, the symptoms will be the same - in a familiar environment, in a kindergarten or school.

If your child, it seems, cannot sit still for a second, blows the house apart and exhausts you with endless questions, but at the same time behaves normally in kindergarten, this is not about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

4. Symptoms that reduce the quality of life

You can be diagnosed if you notice at least a few of the following symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) every day.

For inattentive ADHD, the child:

Not able to keep attention on one thing for a long time (at least 5 minutes).
Easily distracted, instantly forgetting what you just did.
He regularly makes elementary mistakes: in the example “1 + 2” he may forget that the first digit was one and print the answer 4. Or, while reading, jump over a line and not even notice it.
Often, being distracted, he cannot complete a simple task that other children can easily cope with.
Regularly he does not hear the speech of a parent, educator or teacher addressed to him, because his thoughts soar somewhere far away.
He cannot maintain order in things, even when his attention is specially focused on it.
Losing things endlessly - mittens, pencils, books, wallets, keys.
Gathering somewhere, he “digs” all the time - he cannot quickly put down the necessary accessories, even if there are very few of them.

With ADHD of the hyperactive-impulsive type, the child:

Cannot sit still for more than a few minutes. In a literal sense: fidgets, wriggles, twists his hands and knocks his feet.
It is often forgotten and jumps out of place in situations where this cannot be done, for example, in a lesson.
Shows aimless physical activity: jumping, waving his arms, climbing somewhere or running.
Doesn't know how to play quietly and thoughtfully, for example, to assemble a constructor by himself.
Doesn't know how to wait for his turn. So, a teacher's question can be answered by interrupting the classmate to whom this question was addressed.
It can be very talkative and often completely tactless.
Seems to be devoid of any sense of danger that could threaten his life.

With combined ADHD, symptoms can be combined. And for any type, they obviously interfere with the child. For example, due to restlessness or lack of concentration, he cannot learn a lesson or complete a task. And because of tactlessness or slowness, it irritates others.

Why ADHD is dangerous

Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity can persist into adulthood. This often leads to serious psychosocial problems in Adult ADHD:

poor academic performance and, as a result, the inability to get a good education;
lack of friends and support;
ridicule and associated mental trauma;
low self-esteem;
inability to make and keep plans;
non-binding, which badly affects the career and relationships within the team;
frequent mood swings;
fervor, a tendency to commit rash acts;
persistently high levels of stress, which can lead to the development of other mental disorders - for example, anxiety disorder or depression;
the inability to build long-term relationships, including family ones;
alcohol and drug abuse;
problems with payment of debts and the law.

Takeaway: Once a diagnosis of ADHD is made, the disease needs to be corrected.

How to treat ADHD

Good news for a start.

Between 30 and 70% of Slideshow ADHD is Adults children diagnosed with the syndrome "outgrow" it with age.

In other children, the disorder remains for life. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is not always possible to cure it completely. However, there are quite effective methods of correction that can reduce symptoms.

1. Psychotherapy

In particular, we are talking about behavioral therapy. A qualified psychotherapist will help the child cope with emotions and disappointments, in a playful way, teach social skills, for example, waiting for their turn and sharing, will not let self-esteem sink.

2. Family work

Family relationships are a key part of successful correction. It is extremely important for parents to do everything so as not to increase the already high level of stress in the child.

Do not scold him for inattention, slowness, or restlessness: with ADHD, children are objectively unable to cope with this. Your task is to be supportive, to demonstrate to the child that he is loved no matter what. You may also need psychotherapy, which will teach you how to control your own emotions and tell you where to get the psychological resource necessary for communication.

Here's what Slideshow ADHD in Children Mom and Dad can do:

Organize the child's home life. Try to follow a rigid daily regimen with clearly marked times for getting up, having breakfast, getting ready to go to the garden or school, swimming, going to bed. It is also worth creating a schedule that will remind your child of what to do during the day. Be sure to place your schedule sheet somewhere in a prominent place - for example, magnetically fasten it to the refrigerator door.
Adjust the diet. Research on diet has yielded mixed results. Still, there is reason to believe that certain foods can help the brain cope with the disorder. Add high protein foods to your daily diet - meat, eggs, beans, nuts. Try replacing fast carbs like candy and cakes with slower ones like fruits, whole grain breads. An important caveat: before changing the diet, it is worth consulting on this topic with a pediatrician watching the child.
Limit time spent watching TV and playing with gadgets. No more than 2 hours a day!
Be consistent in your actions. Children with ADHD need clear and predictable rules to follow.

3. Drug therapy

Most often, nootropics (substances that improve brain function) and psychostimulants (help control behavior) are used in the correction of ADHD. What kind of drug is needed in your case, only a doctor can decide.

We must be prepared for the fact that the chosen medicine may be ineffective, and then a change of the drug will be required.

In addition, you should inform your healthcare professional of any side effects that occur, including poor appetite or sleep problems. This is also an indication for looking for another medicine.

Where does ADHD come from?

The exact cause of the development of the disorder has not been established. But it is known that too much sugar or excessive TV viewing does not cause attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. An unbalanced diet or gadget addiction can make it difficult to correct ADHD. But they are not able to provoke its development.

Scientists have identified only a number of ADHD Causes that seem to play a role in ADHD.

1. Heredity

The syndrome spreads in families, which makes it possible to associate it with genetics. It has been found that if one of the parents had ADHD, the child has a 50% chance of inheriting the disorder. If the family already has an older brother or sister with the syndrome, the risk of the younger is 30%.