A TYPICAL SCENARIO OF ADHD (ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER)

I could still recall vividly a social function I once attended with a friend on a weekend.There was a lady who was sitting  right across our  table , she had her young son of about  5-6 year old with her. I noticed that whenever she gave the child an instruction,he always did the exact opposite.The child was extremely restless,touching everything his eyes could see and running here and there. He even went to the extent of climbing chairs and jumping on them, he created such  a nuisance that the his mother was so so embarrassed .You could hear her muttering under her breath, “next time I will not take you out  with me.” (Although we know  kids at this age can be naughty and playful) but it was really extreme.

You could actually see a look of glare on the faces of some of the guests in attendance, like “whose child is this? Why is he causing so much nuisance?” Even when they didn’t utter a word,you could  clearly see it written on their faces.  An elderly woman even muttered  aloud , she was  like “women of nowadays will not train their children well,this is the outcome”. It was too much for the mother that she stood up and spanked the child so hard that his teeth rattled in his mouth. He sat quiet for a while,after the pain subsided and he doubled up his game.The mother left much much earlier  before the function ended.

WHAT IS ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural disorder in children, whereby they tend to display a high level of inattentiveness, hyperactivity and great impulsiveness to do things which might be  detrimental to them and people around them.

Further research has it that ,it is a mentally related disorder in children,which make them have disruptive behavior,inattentive to instructions and they act based on impulse without thinking of the consequences.

GENERAL SYMPTOMS  OF CHILDREN WITH ADHD

(ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVE DISORDER)

1. Child is highly inattentive to details

2. Easily distracted

3. Doesn’t adhere to instructions or completes given tasks

4. Cant stay still for long

5. Child is very careless

6. Always restless

7. Hardly stays seated in a position for long

8. Always found climbing chairs or tables or anything climbable

9. Could be very troublesome amongst peers

10. Child is always on the move,like a roller coaster

11. Child cant stay in a queue or wait for their turn

12. Very interruptive

13. Outwardly child might seem stubborn to an onlooker

14. Highly disruptive

15. Could be destructive in extreme cases

DOES ADHD AFFECTS ONLY CHILDREN?

The answer is No! This disorder can be associated with any age range. Adults too can also be affected with this disorder if they are not discovered at at an early age and managed. Adults  with ADHD are always restless, fidget unnecessarily, talk excessively and wear others and themselves out with constant inappropriate activities. They are also very impulsive, make rash decisions without first thinking of future consequences etc. However, studies has it that, boys are more prone to ADHD

EFFECT OF ADHD ON A CHILD AT SCHOOL

• The child hardly pays attention in class.

• Easily gets distracted.

• Learning becomes difficult . see also Dyslexia

• Academic work suffers ,because of inability to complete tasks.

• This might result in low grades at school. See also Fighting Dyscalculia

• Flaunts school rules, because of inattentiveness to instructions.

• Child could be seen as troublesome by the school or peers because of their hyperactive and impulsive display.

• Always gets into fight or one mischief or the other.

• Blurts out answers impulsively even when not asked

• Child tends to lose things due to carelessness and forgetfulness.

• Child might be seen as notorious.

• Difficult for child to imbibe simple social skills and etiquettes

• The teacher sees child as a cross he/she has to carry while in their class

 EFFECT OF ADHD ON A CHILD AT HOME

1. In some extreme cases, some children can be destructive. They can destroy electronics or furniture when there is no close supervision on them at home.

2. Flaunts parents instructions.

3. Barely pays attention to details.

4. Barely do or completes chores or tasks at home.

5. Child barely stays in one position or at home.

6. Child could be seen as a menace in the neighborhood.

7. Might always get into a fight because of hyperactivity and impulsive nature.

8. Might set bad example for the younger ones.

9. The younger ones are quick to emulate him/her.

  EFFECT ON PARENTS:

1.Parents tend to bear the brunt of child’s misbehavior.

2.Parent are always blamed for poor upbringing.

3.Embarrassment in social outings because of child’s misbehavior is inevitable.

4.Some parents that are not aware of ADHD might resist child.

 POSSIBLE CAUSES OF ADHD

Research has it that the causes of ADHD is not known, but some hypothesis has been brought    forth for the likely cause of ADHD which are

1. HEREDITY :This behaivioral disorder tends to run in some families. A child showing signs of ADHD might have gotten it from either of the parents blood line.

2. BRAIN INJURY: If the part of the brain which controls impulses and emotions is damaged either by accident or other wise, then ADHD occurs.

3. DISEASE/ABUSE OF DRUGS OR ALCHOHOL DURING PREGNANCY: At times diseases or infections during pregnancies or abuse of alcohol or drugs might affect baby’s brain development in the womb.

MANAGING CHILDREN WITH ADHD

ADHD doesn’t have a cure but can be managed to the barest minimum,if disovered early enough in a child with the following methods.

1. COUNSELLING/THERAPIES:Parents should endeavor to take children for theraphy or counselling. There are Educational Therapist, Cognitive Behavioral therapist(CBT), Pediatricians, Child psychologist ,School Counselors, Religious counsellors etc.

   2.PARENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD COUNSEL CHILDREN ON

• How to deal with their impulses and emotions

• How to be of best behavior at home,school and social outings

• Simple etiquettes of waiting for their turn in a queue

• Adhering to rules and instructions.

• Answering only when asked to.

• How to sit still and quietly in public places.

• How to carry out carefully planned tasks and routine on a daily basis.

• Social skills ,like saying “thank you”,”Please”,”Excuse me’ etc

• Channeling their pent up energy into sports and other constructive activities

And finally REWARD  kids with gifts of kind words when they act right, example “Good child,” keep it up”, “well done”,”Bless You” etc.

3. MEDICATIONS: Parents can equally see a medical practioner for ADHD medications that can help alleviate or reduce their hyperactivity and impulsiveness and help them focus at school and learn

4.Parents that are not aware of ADHD should also go for  counselling and get information on how to help their children.

 5.Parents and Teachers should be ready to exercise a great ounce of patient with children .

  6.Finally you should always pray for your children and never give hope on  them

Your comments and suggestions are welcome.