ADHD
ADHD is a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
It often begins in childhood, beginning symptoms appear between ages 3 & 6, and can persist into adulthood. It may contribute to low self-esteem, troubled relationships, and difficulty at school or work.
The DSM-5TM, classifies ADHD as, “persistent pattern (at least 6 months) of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that has a direct negative impact on academic, occupational or social functioning.”
A diagnosis of ADHD is given for one of these three presentations:
1. ADHD, combined presentation, in which a child is inattentive and hyperactive
2. ADHD, predominantly inattentive presentation, in which the child is not hyper, just inattentive
3. ADHD, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, in which the child has impulsive behaviors and is inattentive.
Do you recognize any of these behaviors in your child?
Inattentive Behaviors:
Difficulty paying attention and makes careless mistakes
Hard time staying organized
Seems not to be listening when being spoken to directly
Avoids, postpones or performs reluctantly tasks that require sustained mental effort
Easily distracted by external stimuli or his own thoughts
Getting bored easily
Losing or forgetting things often
Trouble feeling excited or interested to do something
Impulsivity:
Doing or saying things without thinking
Interrupting others
Trouble waiting for a turn or standing in line
Blurting out comments at inappropriate times
Hyperactivity:
Fidgeting or squirming (not being able to sit still)
Trouble sitting still and doing quiet tasks, such as reading
Constantly leaving their seat, jumping or climbing on furniture and other inappropriate places
Often talks too much
More and more research has been done over the years on ADHD and we can understand it more than ever now. Researchers have shown that ADHD is a problem of ability, not desire. It doesn’t mean that you don’t want to “do better”, it means you can’t! It is so frustrating for the student with ADHD to hear ppl say things like, “You have so much potential, if only you could put in more effort, you would succeed!” Additionally, the inattentive student is harder to diagnose as they are not running all over the classroom, but they are just lost in thought or not paying attention.
Males with ADHD symptoms tend to show more noticeable symptoms than females with ADHD
Males: Acting without thinking, very active, trouble paying attention, forceful with body
Females: Shy or not social, nervous or fearful, trouble paying attention, forceful with words
ADHD can make it difficulty for a student to make friends and have lasting relationships. For instance, problems with attention, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and mood regulation often make it difficult for those with ADHD to develop social skills. Peers may interpret lack of attention as shyness, or impulsiveness as aggression. They may get distracted when their peers talk to them and forget to share their toys. ADHD is linked to low self esteem and they may lack the confidence to put themselves out there to form new friendships and make new connections.
How is ADHD diagnosed?
A diagnosis of ADHD should only be made by a specialist psychiatrist, pediatrician or other appropriately qualified healthcare professional with training and expertise in the diagnosis of ADHD.
How to differentiate between ADHD and normally active children?
If your child is energetic and finds it hard to sit still, they may be displaying some of the signs of ADHD or they may just be a lively child. How do you differentiate between true ADHD and a normally active child? If your child can control their impulses and emotions, and can pay attention in an age-appropriate way in school and at home, then they are most probably just an energetic child without the ADHD diagnosis. It is important for you to recognize his need to let out his energy and see what activities work well for his personality. However, it is important to discuss your child’s symptoms with a professional who can clearly determine if an ADHD diagnosis is present or not.
Keep in mind that there are some conditions that can be misdiagnosed as ADD/ADHD.
1. Sensory processing disorder
2. Hearing problems
3. Sleep disorders
4. Kids being kids 😊
PROS AND CONS of using medication to treat ADHD:
For many people, putting on eyeglasses helps them focus their eyes. In the same way, ADHD medication helps people with ADHD focus their thoughts. Although medication doesn’t cure ADHD it can help reduce the symptoms of ADHD while your child is taking it so they can function more effectively. It helps the student pay attention, ignore distractions, and control their behavior. It can take time to find the right ADHD medication for your child, but once you do, you’ll likely see an improvement in symptoms.
The medications used to treat ADHD have many advantages. By reducing symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention, they help students with ADHD:
1. Do better at school!
2. Improve interactions with family members and friends!
If your child is having difficulty mastering academic skills, such as reading and math skills, then it may be crucial for them to receive medication to treat their ADHD. They may be receiving remedial help and/or tutoring, but their inattention to the session will mean that they will not be able to maximize the support given to them. They may present with gaps in their mastery of basic skills and this will continue to impact them in the classroom, even when they learn to manage their inattention.
There are some disadvantages to using medications for ADHD. The first type of problem is that these medications can cause unwanted side effects. These side effects are typically mild and don’t last long. They may resolve after a few weeks of treatment as the body adjusts to the medication. The most common side effects of ADHD medications include insomnia, decreased appetite and anxiety. Additionally, some medications cause the child to have a rebound effect, which is a short period of fatigue, increased activity or a bad mood as the medication wears off. For most patients, these side effects can be controlled by reducing the dose or changing medications. It is important to discuss the pros and cons of each medication directly with your provider so you are aware of all possible side effects and can make an informed decision.
TIPS & TRICKS TO MANAGE ADHD
There are many things you can do to help lessen the intensity and consequences of ADHD and help your child THRIVE!
TEN TIPS to help you parent your child with ADHD:
1. Maintain a positive attitude.
This is most important! Most people with ADHD can achieve incredible things, as they are often creative, loaded with energy and very smart when they are given the belief that they can do amazing things with their abilities.
2. Give praise when rules are followed.
Since children with ADHD many times receive more criticism than other children, they often have low self-esteem. Try to praise good behavior at least five times more often than you criticize bad behavior. Hard, but worth it.
3. Give clear & effective directions or commands
Get your child’s attention, look them in the eye and give clear and concise instructions. Ask your child to repeat the directions back to you. Keep it simple, and use the least words possible.
4. Be Consistent
Do what you say you are going to do. Give one or two warnings, in a calm voice. If your child does not follow the rules, then follow through with the consequence you promised.
5. Make sure they EXERCISE!!
Studies have shown that exercise for children with ADHD enhance their brain function and results in kids being less impulsive and having improved social skills, thereby creating a greater possibility for learning in the classroom.
6. Get Ready for School the Night Before
Transitions are hard for children with ADHD, and the biggest transition is getting out of bed and going to school! So- get ready the night before by laying out school clothes and get the book bag ready.
7. Use visual cues
Such as charts, checklists and calendars. Use visual support to help homework get done efficiently, complete daily chores and get ready for school and bed. It doesn’t even need to be super fancy, just grab a paper, number 1-5 and write down what you expect your child to do.
8. Make Sure Your Child is Supervised
Because children with ADHD are impulsive, they need more adult supervision than other children their age.
9. Focus on Effort and Consistency (Not Grades!)
Remember to reward your child for the effort he put in to finishing his schoolwork and being consistent about getting it done. Hopefully the good grades will follow, but until then we need to reward and praise good effort.
10. Maintain a positive attitude!
What comes around, goes around. This may just be the best thing you can do for your child. The way you view them is usually the way they come to view themselves. So keep on those rose colored glasses and keep letting your child know how wonderful he is and how much you believe in him!!
BOOKS!!
Here are some great books for you to read to help understand ADHD and learn way to manage and support your child.
1. Taking charge of ADHD: The leading parent resource about ADHD! Prominent authority Russell A. Barkley compassionately guides you to: Understand why kids with ADHD act the way they do, improve your child’s social and academic skills, use a proven behavior management plan & best of all restore peace at home!
3. ADHD 2.0: Now the bestselling book of Driven to Distraction is revised and updated with current medical information for a new generation searching for answers. An incredible and resourceful book with tips and techniques you can implement right away!
2. Smart but Scattered: There’s nothing more frustrating than watching your bright, talented son or daughter struggle with everyday tasks like finishing homework, putting away toys, or following instructions at school. Drs. Peg Dawson and Richard Guare have great news: there’s a lot you can do to help.
3. What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Veteran psychologist Sharon Saline shares the words and inner struggles of children and teens living with ADHD—and a blueprint for achieving lasting success by working together. Based on many years of experience counseling young people and their families, Dr. Saline’s advice and real-world examples reveal how parents can shift the dynamic and truly help kids succeed.
BOOKS FOR YOU TO READ TO YOUR CHILD OR HAVE YOUR CHILD READ ON HIS OWN:
One of most important things you can do for your child is to validate his struggles. Oftentimes the validation of all the struggles he is going through can reduce negative behaviors as well as much of his frustration. Spend time going through the books together and watch the transforming begin.
1. HUNTER AND HIS AMAZING REMOTE CONTROL:
Great book to work on impulsivity and self-control. This storybook is a unique approach to teaching self-control to children whether or not they have ADD or ADHD. Once children read or hear Hunter's story, they can create their own amazing remote controls.
With the right tools, kids can learn to think positively about their ADHD and see it as a special asset. Thriving with ADHD is filled with easy exercises to help your child with the many facets of ADHD, from self-control and organization to getting tasks done and making friends—so they can flourish at home, school, and beyond.
3. LEARNING TO SLOW DOWN & PAY ATTENTION
Topics include, getting homework done, making friends, dealing with feelings, getting ready in the morning, staying calm and relaxed, asking for help, and so much more!
4. SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR KIDS WITH ADHD
This is great for the pre-teen and teen to read on their own and understand their challenges. Even though it is titled for the ‘KID with ADHD’, I believe this is written so clearly and is helpful for the older student as well.
FIDGITS THAT MAY BE HELPFUL FOR THE STUDENT WITH ADHD:
Keep in mind that some students do very well with fidgets, and when their hands are busy then their minds can focus. However, for some students, this makes them even more distracted so it will be more distracting than helpful. The only way to know is to do trial and error. Practice first when doing homework and judge then how helpful or harmful fidgets are for your child!
Emotion stress ball are great for home, but not always great for class, as there is a chance of them bursting. For school it’s best to stick with fidgets and eraser putty.
Appash Fidget Cube Toy has buttons and switches that keep the user’s finger busy! It’s a bestseller for adults and children alike!
3. KNEADED ERASER THAT CAN BE SQUEEZED, STRETCHED….
This such an awesome option. It’s quiet and useful in the classroom as well. These eraser putties are very enticing for the girls! They come in hello kitty eraser putty styles as well.