There are several parents who live in the fear of whether their child has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Unlike many other disorders and other problems, ADHD can be one which bears both psychological and social impacts on virtually everyone who has anything to do with the child. ADHD, acronym for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a neurological syndrome, mostly found in young children aged below 7 years. ADHD can be characterized by forgetfulness, hyperactivity, mood swings, distractibility, and poor impulse control. ADHD can effect on both children and adults and as many as 5 to 8% of all children are victims of this psychological disorder. It is estimated that many children with ADHD go undiagnosed each year.
It is reported that most ADHD cases in children develop before the age of 7, but the diagnosis comes only when there are problems in their development. For instance, parents or other relatives notice symptoms of ADHD in a child only when he/she exhibits a behavior which is inappropriate in attention or the child shows disability to keep track of his/her belongings. When your child shows any of these disabilities, it is necessary for you to seek out the help of a pediatrician.
There are mainly three types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and a combined type. Some of the most common symptoms of ADHD include impulsive behavior (such as excessive talking, interrupting others, and blurting out answers before the question should be answered); destructiveness; restlessness; difficulties in reengaging a previous task; and inattentiveness which can be both a difficulty with sustaining attention. While for some children who are predominantly inattentive type of ADHD, the symptoms of ADHD can be sluggish behavior, daydreaming, confused behavior, hypo active, and staring occasionally. Further, some of these symptoms may not appear all in a sudden, or they'll remain hidden until the child find himself/herself in a situation when he/she starts behaving a bit out of place.
Well, now from a parent's prospective, what the parents have to do if they think that their child is suffering from ADHD. The first thing you need to do is to talk to your health care provider. If you feel that your child is having difficulties in paying attention to what you are saying or doing, or if is see any of the symptoms of ADHD, then contact your physician as soon as possible. Your physician can easily recommend the next step to proceed.
In most of the cases, your physician will refer a psychiatric doctor for diagnosis of the condition. A psychiatric doctor will perform a series of tasks like talking to the child, observing him/her while playing and socializing as well as some other tests. If the physician certifies that your child has ADHD then there are several courses of action which you and your physician can talk about to determine how to find the solution for ADHD.
The treatment for ADHD includes a broad range of medications such as amphetamines, methylphenidate, and others. While some of these medications can result in increasing the levels of hyperactivity disorder in children without ADHD, in children who have ADHD disorders, these medications can help to focus and keep them in control. There are also several other types of alternative medications such as specific diets, Vitamin B6, and the use of pycnogenol. However, it is recommended to consult your physician before starting the treatment process.
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ADHD in children is not a conspiracy as some would believe. It is a real medical condition which, if left untreated, may bring serious consequences later in life, such as indulgence in illicit drugs, teen pregnancy, poor productivity levels, suffering from sexually transmitted diseases, depression, and personality disorder. This article is divided into several sections on how to deal with different aspects of ADHD disorder.
What should I do if I suspect my child has ADHD?
Talk to your doctor about it. If he is not trained in ADHD and other behavioural disorders (most doctors are not), ask him to recommend an expert who could do an evaluation and prescribe treatment. Generally, child psychiarists have the most training in this field. The doctor in attendance would most likely take a good look at the child's history and how they behave at home, in school, and in social circles. Hence, keep a good record of your kids behaviors under varying conditions and environments as it is needed to achieve an accurate diagnosis.
What causes ADHD?
After decades of research, scientists are still not able to pinpoint the exact cause/s of ADHD. But generally, they believe it is genetic in nature and that the brain of kids with ADHD are wired differently from normal children. Often, you hear people say that bad parenting, watching too much television, consuming food additives, and video games can cause ADHD. These have been brushed off by most experts as mere myths. Take watching too much television as an example. How do you account for ADHD happening way before the invention of television.
What can I do to help my ADHD child?
Form "partnerships" with your kid's doctor and teachers. Also, read up on ADHD as much as you can so that you will be able to make informed decisions. If there are ADHD support groups in the neighbourhood, it's advisable to join them because exchange of ideas and experiences from like-minded parents can go a long way in helping you cope with your ADHD kids.
What medicines are often used as treatment for ADHD ?
The most common medicines prescribed for ADHD are methylphenidate (e.g. Ritalin and Concerta), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), atomoxetine (Strattera - which is a non-stimulant drug), and a combination drug (Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) called Adderall.
What can I do at home to help my ADHD kid?
Kids with ADHD are not handicapped children. In fact, many famous personalities, past and present, have ADHD and yet they managed to do wonders for mankind in many field. However, because the brain circuitry of ADHD kids are wired differently, they do need special care and attention all the time. Here are some things which you can do for your child at home:
* Routine, routines, routines. Kids with ADHD dislike surprises, so do make a schedule on what and when they are supposed to carry out certain tasks, such as doing homework, do chores, go to bed etc. If routines need to be changed, explain it to the child clearly.
* Design simple and clear rules and place it in high traffic areas which can be clearly seen. Among other things, the rules should stipulate what would happen if the rules are flouted, and what rewards would follow when it is obeyed.
* Be quick to reward good behavior, and be slow with criticisms.
* Compare notes with his or her teachers on what works at home or at school so that some kind of "fine tuning" in terms of education could be implemented.
* Keep the communication lines open. For example, in teaching children with ADHD, tell them what you like or want him to do.
Will my kids with ADHD outgrow it?
The answer is both yes and no. Based on available data, for every three ADHD kids, only one of them do outgrow it. For those who continue to have it, generally the hyperactivity may decrease but symptoms of inattention, distractibility, and poor impulse control may continue when they grow older.
Both Fred & Lydia Tan are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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