Hyperactivity in a child: is it necessary to treat a fidget?
Editor's responseThe floor goes to our expert, pediatric neurologist, candidate of medical sciences Igor Voronov.
Normal or disease?
My four-year-old son has a reputation for being a bully. The teacher of the kindergarten group he goes to believes that he has hyperactivity and insists that I show my son to a neurologist. Should I do this?
Svetlana, Kaliningrad
I often encounter similar complaints. As a rule, for children 3-5 years old, although even infants, starting from 4-5 months of age, are often the object of complaints. Parents complain that their child does not sit quietly, constantly spins and turns, climbs everywhere and does not obey, and reacts poorly to adults’ comments. Most often, parents' fears turn out to be unfounded. After all, the child early age and must be active. This behavior is normal for them.
With ADHD, a child has not only hyperactivity, but also restlessness, inattention, impulsiveness, and an inability to concentrate, which quickly switches to something else. Especially if the business they are doing is not of interest to them. However, ADHD, which is now often unjustifiably diagnosed in young children, is valid as a diagnosis only from the age of 5 years.Why is he being a bully?
My son was diagnosed with ADHD. But I have doubts about this diagnosis. Tell me, how does hyperactivity syndrome manifest itself and where does it come from in a child?
Antonina, Kost Roma
This syndrome is characterized by three components: impaired attention (restlessness), impulsivity and motor activity. Children with ADHD are real headache for parents: they can climb into a hole at a construction site, climb a tree, run onto the road, without fear of injury. They often butt into adults' conversations, start fooling around, and in more rare cases fight with children, but they rarely display aggressive behavior. And hyperactive children are often absent-minded, forget and lose basic things: mittens and other clothes, sports uniforms at school, pens, pencil cases and even their briefcases.
Certain elements of hyperactivity in many of these children persist into adulthood. Adults with ADHD are active, energetic, work a lot and sleep little. However, they have some negative personality traits: they are impulsive, unrestrained, and find it difficult to do monotonous work.
Little holders of this diagnosis also experience behavioral disorders. At the same time, their level of intelligence is good. Problems with learning at school for such children arise due to inattention and violation of discipline.
With age, hyperactive children become more diligent. Moreover, girls are earlier than boys - by 7 years, and boys - by 10 (but these indicators can fluctuate).
Various hypotheses have been put forward regarding the causes of ADHD. And yet, to a greater extent, this disease has a hereditary predisposition. When talking with the parents of such children, it often turns out that one of them also had behavior characteristic of ADHD in childhood. Although sometimes there is no such relationship.
Medicines are not a panacea
The doctor did not prescribe a single medication for my hyperactive preschooler. He says the main thing is education and regime. Are there really no remedies that can effectively and quickly get rid of this problem?
Tamara, Yaroslavl region.
School-age children are more likely to need medication due to learning problems.
But things are not so simple here. The fact is that there is no uniform approach to the principles of treating ADHD all over the world. There are some medications that can be effective, but they may not work for some children. And the prescription of herbal-based sedatives or homeopathic medicines, as a rule, do not have the desired effect, and in some cases they can have the opposite effect - agitation of the child.Therefore, the most important thing in the correction of ADHD is compliance with the regime, educational measures, and psychological and pedagogical correction.
At the same time, in their approach to raising such children, it is important for parents not to allow either cruelty or permissiveness.
To develop attentiveness in a hyperactive child, it is good to hang special reminder sheets around the apartment - in his room or, for example, on the refrigerator. On leaflets, it is better to provide information not only in written form, but also to make drawings that correspond to the content of the upcoming tasks. For example: “make your bed”, “brush your teeth”, “collect your toys”, etc.
One of the most common diseases in children is hyperactivity. According to statistics, 20% of children aged 3 to 5 years have this diagnosis. This is when the disease manifests itself to its maximum.
Hyperactive child experiences inconvenience during training and does not socialize well. It is difficult for him to establish contact with peers and to concentrate on gaining knowledge. The pathology may be accompanied by other diseases of the nervous system.
In 1970, hyperactivity was included in the international classification of diseases. It was given the name ADHD, or attention deficit disorder. The disease is a disorder of the brain that results in constant nervous tension. Children shock adults with behavior that does not correspond to established standards.
Teachers usually complain about students who are too active. They are restless and constantly undermine discipline. Mental and physical activity is increased. Memory and motor skills may remain unimpaired. The disease most often occurs in boys.
Reasons for the development of pathology
Most often, brain malfunctions begin in utero. Hyperactivity can lead to:
- finding the uterus in good shape (threat of miscarriage);
- hypoxia;
- maternal smoking or poor diet during pregnancy;
- constant stress experienced by a woman.
Sometimes pathology occurs due to disruption of the birth process:
- swiftness;
- a prolonged period of contractions or pushing;
- use of drugs for stimulation;
- birth before 38 weeks.
Hyperactivity syndrome occurs most rarely due to other reasons not related to the birth of the baby:
- diseases of the nervous system;
- family problems (conflicts, tense relationships between mom and dad);
- overly strict parenting;
- chemical poisoning;
- violation of the diet.
The listed reasons are risk factors. It is not necessary that a baby with this syndrome is born during rapid labor. If the pregnant mother was constantly nervous, often in confinement due to uterine hypertonicity or oligohydramnios, then the risk of ADHD increases.
Symptoms of pathology
It is quite difficult to separate excessive activity and simple mobility. Many parents mistakenly diagnose their children with ADHD when this problem actually does not exist. Some symptoms may indicate neurasthenia, so you cannot prescribe treatment yourself. If you suspect hyperactivity, consult a specialist.
Before the age of 1 year, brain disorders manifest themselves with symptoms:
- excessive excitability;
- violent reaction to daily procedures (crying during bathing, massage, hygiene procedures);
- increased sensitivity to stimuli: sound, light;
- problems with sleep (babies periodically wake up at night, stay awake for a long time during the day, find it difficult to sleep);
- delayed psychomotor development (begin to crawl, walk, talk, sit later).
Children under 2-3 years of age may experience speech problems. She has been at the babbling stage for a long time; the baby has difficulty forming word combinations and complex sentences.
Hyperactivity is not diagnosed until one year of age, since the symptoms described may appear due to the baby’s whims or work problems. digestive system or during teething.
Psychologists around the world have recognized that there is a crisis of 3 years. With hyperactivity it is acute. At the same time, older family members are thinking about socialization. They begin to take the baby to preschool institutions. This is where ADHD begins to manifest itself:
- restlessness;
- chaotic movements;
- motor impairment (clumsiness, inability to hold cutlery or a pencil correctly);
- speech problems;
- inattention;
- disobedience.
Parents may notice that getting their preschooler to sleep becomes difficult. A three-year-old child begins to feel very tired in the evening. The baby begins to cry for no reason and show aggression. This is how accumulated fatigue makes itself felt, but despite it the baby continues to move, actively play, and talk loudly.
ADHD is most often diagnosed in children between 4 and 5 years of age. If mom and dad paid little attention to the health of the preschooler, then the symptoms will appear in elementary school. They will be noticeable:
- inability to concentrate;
- restlessness: during the lesson the student jumps up from his seat;
- problems with the perception of adult speech;
- hot temper;
- frequent nervous tics;
- lack of independence, incorrect assessment of one’s strengths;
- severe headaches;
- imbalance;
- enuresis;
- numerous phobias, increased anxiety.
You may notice that a hyperactive student has excellent intelligence, but has problems with academic performance. As a rule, the syndrome is accompanied by conflicts with peers.
Other children avoid overly active children, because it is difficult to find them common language. Children with ADHD often become conflict instigators. They are overly touchy, impulsive, aggressive, and mistakenly assess the consequences of their actions.
Features of the syndrome
For most adults, a diagnosis of ADHD sounds like a death sentence. They consider their children to be mentally retarded or defective. This is a big mistake on their part: due to prevailing myths, parents forget that a hyperactive child:
- Creative. He is full of ideas, and his imagination is better developed than that of ordinary children. If his elders help him, he can become an excellent specialist with a non-standard approach or creative person with lots of ideas.
- The owner of a flexible mind. He finds a solution not an easy task, making your work easier.
- Enthusiast, bright personality. He is interested in many things, he tries to attract attention to himself, strives to communicate with as many people as possible.
- Unpredictable, energetic. This quality can be called both positive and negative. On the one hand, he has enough strength for many different things, but on the other hand, it is simply impossible to keep him in place.
It is believed that a child with hyperactivity constantly moves chaotically. This is a persistent myth. If an activity completely absorbs a preschooler, he will spend several hours at it. It is important to encourage such hobbies.
Parents need to understand that hyperactivity in children does not in any way affect their intelligence and talent. These are often gifted children; in addition to treatment, they need education aimed at developing the skills given by nature. Usually they sing well, dance, design, recite poetry, and enjoy performing in public.
Types of disease
Hyperactivity syndrome in children may have different symptoms, since this disease has several forms:
- Attention deficit without excessive activity. Most often this variety occurs in girls. They dream a lot, have a wild imagination, and often lie.
- Increased excitability without attention deficit. This is the rarest pathology, accompanied by damage to the central nervous system.
- Classic ADHD. The most common form, its course scenario is individual for each case.
Regardless of how the disease progresses, it must be treated. To do this, you need to undergo several examinations, interact with doctors, psychologists, and teachers. In most cases, children are prescribed sedatives. A consultation with a psychoanalyst is mandatory for parents. They must learn to accept the illness and not put “labels” on the child.
Diagnostic features
At the first visit to specialists, it is impossible to make a diagnosis. A final verdict requires observation lasting about six months. It is carried out by specialists:
- psychologist;
- neurologist;
- psychiatrist.
All family members are often afraid of going to a psychiatrist. Do not hesitate to come to him for a consultation. An experienced specialist will help you correctly assess the condition of a small patient and prescribe treatment. The examination should include:
- conversation or interview;
- behavior observation;
- neuropsychological testing;
- filling out questionnaires by parents.
Based on these data, doctors receive full information about the behavior of a small patient, which allows them to distinguish an active baby from one who has disorders. Other pathologies may be hidden behind hyperactivity, so you should be prepared to undergo:
- Brain MRI;
- ECHO CG;
- blood tests.
In order to promptly identify concomitant pathologies, it is necessary to consult with an endocrinologist, epileptologist, speech therapist, ophthalmologist, and otolaryngologist. It is important to wait for a final diagnosis. If doctors refuse to refer you for examinations, contact the head of the clinic or work through psychologists from educational institutions.
Complex treatment
There is no universal ADHD pill yet. Children are always prescribed complex treatment. Some recommendations on how to help a hyperactive child:
- Correction of motor activity. Children should not play competitive sports. Demonstrations of achievements (without evaluations) and static loads are acceptable. Suitable species sports: swimming, skiing, cycling. Aerobic exercise is allowed.
- Interaction with a psychologist. Techniques are used to reduce the level of anxiety of a small patient and to increase his communication skills. Success scenarios are modeled and activities are selected to help increase self-esteem. The specialist gives exercises to develop memory, speech, and attention. If the violations are serious, then a speech therapist is involved in corrective classes.
- A change of scenery and environment is useful. If the treatment is beneficial, the attitude towards the baby will be better in the new team.
- Parents react sharply to behavioral problems of their children. Mothers are often diagnosed with depression, irritability, impulsiveness, and intolerance. Visiting a psychotherapist with the whole family allows you to quickly cope with hyperactivity.
- Auto-training, classes in sensory relaxation rooms. They improve the activity of the nervous system and stimulate the cerebral cortex.
- Correcting the behavior of the whole family, changing habits and daily routines.
- Therapy using medications. In America, psychostimulants are often prescribed for ADHD. In Russia they are prohibited for use, since this group of medicines has a lot of side effects. Doctors recommend nootropic drugs and sedatives that contain herbal ingredients.
Drug therapy is used only when other methods of treatment have failed. The use of nootropics for hyperactivity has no basis evidence base, they are usually prescribed to improve blood supply to the brain and normalize metabolic processes in it. Using these medications can improve memory and concentration.
Parents should be prepared for the course of treatment to last several months. Medicines They give a positive effect after 4-6 months, but you will have to work with a psychologist for more than one year.
No one can be diagnosed with ADHD without testing. Only a specialist can see signs of hyperactivity in children. You should not make a diagnosis or prescribe medications on your own. Do not neglect the recommendations of specialists and conduct regular examinations. Many people are interested in the peculiarities of life in a family with a hyperactive child - what should parents do - the advice of a psychologist in this case is as follows:
- Organize your day. Include consistent rituals. For example, before bed, give your baby a bath, change him into pajamas, and read a story. Do not change your daily routine, this will save you from hysterics and excitement in the evening.
- A calm and friendly environment at home will help minimize energy emissions. Unexpected arrivals of guests and noisy parties are not a suitable atmosphere for children with hyperactivity.
- Pick up sports section and make sure you attend classes regularly.
- If the situation allows, do not limit the activity of the baby. He will throw out his energy and become calmer.
- Punishments such as sitting still for long periods of time or doing tedious work are not suitable for children with ADHD.
Many people are interested in how to calm a hyperactive child. To do this, psychotherapists provide individual consultations based on change educational process. First of all, keep in mind that with ADHD children deny any inhibitions.
Using the words “no” and “can’t” is sure to provoke hysterics. Psychologists recommend making sentences without using direct negatives.
Tantrums need to be prevented. This can be done by correcting behavior.
Another problem with ADHD is lack of time control and frequent attention shifts. Gently guide your child back to the goal. Make sure that the task takes a certain amount of time to complete. Give directions or teach lessons sequentially. Don't ask multiple questions at once.
Spend a lot of time with overly active children and pay attention to them. Engage with them joint activities: walk through the forest, pick berries and mushrooms, go on picnics or hikes.
At the same time, avoid noisy events that have a stimulating effect on the psyche. Change the background of your life. Instead of watching TV, turn on calm music and limit your time watching cartoons.
If a hyperactive baby is overexcited, do not yell at him and exclude physical violence. Speak to him in a calm and firm tone, hug him, take him to a quiet place (away from other children and people), find words of comfort, listen.
Features of the learning process
Treatment of hyperactivity in school-age children should be carried out together with teachers. They must know about the student’s problems and be able to engage him in class. Most often, programs with creative elements in classes and simplified presentation of material are used for this purpose.
Nowadays, inclusive education is being developed throughout the country, which, with the syndrome, allows children to gain knowledge not at home, but in a group. Problems and misunderstandings cannot be ruled out. The teacher must be able to resolve conflicts in the classroom.
During the lesson, hyperactive children need to be involved in active actions. The teacher should give such students small assignments. They can wash the blackboard, take out the trash, hand out notebooks, and go get chalk. A short warm-up during the lesson will allow you to splash out the accumulated energy.
Possible consequences
You shouldn’t let pathology take its course. The child is not able to cope with ADHD on his own. He will not outgrow this syndrome.
In advanced cases, hyperactivity leads to manifestations of physical aggression towards oneself and others:
- bullying by peers;
- fights;
- attempts to beat parents;
- suicidal tendencies.
Often a hyperactive student with a high IQ graduates from school with unsatisfactory grades. He cannot get an education at a university or college and has problems finding employment.
In an unfavorable social atmosphere, the grown-up student leads a marginal lifestyle, takes drugs or abuses alcohol.
In a supportive environment, ADHD can be beneficial. Mozart and Einstein are known to have had this syndrome. However, you should not rely only on natural data. Help your child realize his importance and direct his energy in the right direction.
Probably only people who don’t have them have never heard of hyperactivity in children. Today this term is on everyone's lips. And, probably, most parents believe that their child is hyperactive, because he is such a fidget, always on the move, which is called “a pain in the ass.” But an active and active baby is not always exactly hyperactive. And this definition should not be abused, because hyperactivity in children is not just their distinctive feature, but not an entirely normal state, that is, a kind of deviation from the norm. Moreover, this condition requires a certain “treatment”. That is why parents should know how to distinguish a hyperactive child from a normally active child, and if the diagnosis is confirmed by a specialist, then they must study it in as much detail as possible, because the role of parental tactics in raising such children is very significant.
Signs of hyperactivity in a newborn
Hyperactivity in pediatrics is considered a pathological condition in which the child is overly active and excitable. And if ordinary children can also normally show outbursts of hyperactivity (if they are tired, overexcited, upset or for other reasons), then a child with this diagnosis remains in this state constantly, regardless of any circumstances.
Signs of hyperactivity in children under one year of age are not clearly expressed, and it is almost impossible to diagnose the disorder at this age. But the development of the disorder can be suspected even in a newborn child. Hyperactive babies are very restless, sleep poorly and little (including at night), and their biorhythms are often confused - the child “confuses” day with night. Many people give up daytime sleep very early, and it is impossible to put them to bed in the evening. The muscle tone of such a baby is increased, not least for this reason, frequent and profuse vomiting is observed when, for some unknown reason, the child vomits like a fountain soon after feeding.
Hyperactive newborns do not like swaddling and are constantly trying to get rid of tight diapers. They are also irritated by clothes that are tight and cause any discomfort. They are generally very sensitive to the slightest irritation - be it sounds, sharp drop temperatures or inappropriate lighting - and they immediately begin to scream hysterically and demandingly, when other children are simply capricious at this time.
From the first months of life, the limbs of a hyperactive newborn child are constantly in motion, as if he is running somewhere. Such babies usually begin to sit, crawl and walk earlier, and often immediately begin to run and rush around without any caution or fear. And all because they do not have a feeling of fear, which is especially pronounced later - at 3-5 years and at an older age.
Hyperactive child: signs
Obvious signs of hyperactivity in children begin to appear from the age of 2-3 and most of all - during the period when the child attends kindergarten.
This is because he finds himself in a different environment from the previous one, in which completely different - quite strict and clear - rules and requirements apply. Now the child must obey, obey, follow instructions, analyze his actions, predict their consequences and live in a team, which for a hyperactive child, everything as a whole and each individually is not just difficult, but even hardly possible at all. And the endless difficulties that he has to face in this new world further intensify the manifestations of the disorder. Often, it is at this age that you can notice the first signs of hyperactivity in a child. But they are expressed even more clearly when they begin to attend school, and attempts on the part of teachers and parents to “discipline” a restless and inattentive student often lead to serious consequences in his development.
So, an approximate portrait of a hyperactive child of preschool or school age looks like this. It is difficult for such a child to sit still. Even at the dinner or study table, doing homework or eating, he fidgets and moves all the time: he taps his feet, waves his legs, looks for something to do with his fingers, bends over. different sides or, at a minimum, turns his head around, looking at who knows what, and at the same time (almost certainly) not seeing anything specific. It is generally difficult for him to concentrate and keep his attention on one thing. Even if it is something that is truly interesting to him, it cannot occupy him for long.
That’s why hyperactive children don’t watch their favorite cartoons to the end, don’t finish playing their favorite games, don’t finish their favorite construction sets, don’t finish reading their favorite books... However, they don’t like to read at all, nor do they like to do homework or any activity that requires mental activity, concentration and attention , despite a fairly high level of intelligence, great abilities, creative and talented essence, well-developed intuition! Despite all this, they write poorly, read and retell poorly, and do not shine in mathematics and other disciplines. There is no point in even buying puzzles for them: hyperactive children are simply not capable (they cannot, they cannot a priori) sit still for any time. They also have very poorly developed fine motor skills (clasps, lacing, weaving, etc. are not for them).
The activity of such a child does not have a specific direction or goal. He is constantly in motion, twitching, rushing, running, jumping, spinning... But this energy is not directed in any one direction, but is scattered in vain.
The child does not know, does not understand and does not realize why he acts this way or that way. His actions are aimless and unmotivated. He can get up in the middle of a lesson, run around the class, and constantly disturb the teacher or other students. And on top of that, such a child is not able to follow the teacher’s instructions: he simply does not hear them. Therefore, conflicts usually arise constantly with teachers.
Relationships with children are no better. A hyperactive child often bullies, teases, pesters others and even shows aggression, and all this, we recall, happens to him arbitrarily, as if unconsciously. Because of his excessive impulsiveness, he always hurts someone, grabs the hand of a person passing next to him, he cares about everything, he suddenly wedges himself into someone else’s conversation and leaves it just as abruptly and illogically. A child with hyperactivity is very often excessively talkative, and he does not hear the interlocutor: he answers questions asked to him without listening to the answers to the end and immediately switches to something else; he himself can ask, but interrupt or run away already on the second word of the defendant.
He often argues, bickers, proves himself. Sometimes it happens that a hyperactive person withdraws into himself, he seems to “switch off” from the conversation, going to another reality, and then he can just as suddenly “turn on”. And therefore, such a child, as a rule, has few friends: other children do not accept the “black sheep” into their company, make fun of him, and avoid him. Social adaptation is very difficult and painful. Often the child begins to reproach himself for failure among his peers, feels guilty and bad, which further increases his complexes, self-doubt, low self-esteem, temper and instability. For this reason, it becomes very difficult to communicate with hyperactive children: some are constantly irritated, nervous, and dissatisfied with something; others withdraw into themselves, withdraw into their own world, understandable and accessible only to them.
However, sometimes it happens that hyperactive children manifest themselves in the role of leader, rallying the team around them. It should be admitted that this is quite unsafe, because they do not have a developed sense of fear and danger, and such children even feel pain dulled.
That’s why they always play extreme games, exposing themselves and others to very serious danger: they jump from trees, run along the roadway and on railway tracks, climb into raging rivers and so on and so forth - they don’t care at all. It is not surprising that such children’s clothes and shoes wear out at record speed: parents almost constantly have to renew their children’s wardrobe.
A hyperactive child is very clumsy, sloppy and untidy. It seems that no matter what he takes on, everything is done wrong: he will knock over a plate, break a pen, tear a paper... Even if the table is far from him, he still manages to catch it and turn something over. He doesn't fit into a doorway, can't put on a jacket or pants correctly, and can fall just by standing still. Inattention reaches such a degree that, having just held something in his hand, the child can no longer find it. That’s why he always loses books, forgets notebooks somewhere, and is not even able to find the things he needs in his own briefcase. It is not surprising that hyperactive people never have and cannot have order anywhere. They have neither self-control nor self-discipline. By the way, very often they experience urinary incontinence (both night and day).
Such children do not need to do anything on purpose to cause mischief: everything happens involuntarily, and it is never their fault! And, believe me, this is not just an excuse - it really is. A hyperactive child cannot live differently, even if he makes an effort to do so, although he is also not capable of this. It is impossible to influence his behavior: neither persuasion, nor requests, nor punishment, nor orders have any effect.
It is noteworthy that a hyperactive child is not distinguished by dexterity: labor-intensive and painstaking work he performs very slowly and with difficulty. Also, as a rule, he is not good at playing with a ball and riding a bicycle: neither coordination of movements, nor control over muscle contractions, nor balance are well developed. But he’s a master at grimacing and grimacing!
The reason for such a large complex of “troubles” lies, by and large, in the peculiarities of the functioning of the central nervous system of hyperactive children: it does not tolerate any kind of stress - physical, mental, emotional, and mental. The consequence of such stress is frequent headaches, a feeling of fatigue and depression, colic, disorders in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, increased salivation and sweating, a tendency to allergic manifestations, and even various kinds of neuroses, speech disorders, and heart attacks. By the way, hyperactive children do not eat very well, but they drink a lot.
How to recognize a hyperactive child
It should be noted that even though hyperactivity is a very specific deviation from the norm, we cannot talk about pathology as such in all cases, and it may well be that it is simply a feature of the child’s character or temperament. But very often, hyperactivity is one of the most characteristic signs of a neurological-behavioral disorder, known in medicine as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children (ADHD). In this case, it usually creates certain problems for others.
Experts distinguish several forms of ADHD: with a predominance of inattention, with severe hyperactivity, and in combination with other disorders. Not even every specialist is able to make an accurate diagnosis: there are a huge number of accompanying symptoms and conditions that need to be monitored over a long period of time. But in most cases, doctors advise focusing on the following signs.
We can say that a child is hyperactive if, over the course of six months, in various life situations and in different places (at home, at school, in the company of relatives or strangers), his behavior corresponds to at least six points from the following list:
- Doesn't respond to comments.
If you are talking about a child with attention deficit disorder, then in addition to hyperactivity and impulsiveness, as evidenced by the above qualities, a characteristic sign of this disorder is also inattention. It can be diagnosed by confirming the presence of at least six of the following signs (also persisting for six months or longer under any circumstances):
- The child is not able to just sit quietly or stand still for any period of time. Even while sitting, he is constantly in motion, constantly jumps up and rushes somewhere, gets up and sits down; standing, he shifts from foot to foot, twists them around himself, stomps, dances, waves his arms.
- He is always looking somewhere, directed somewhere, moving, running, climbing (and, as a rule, this is completely inappropriate).
- Often the child very abruptly or unexpectedly takes off and runs or, on the contrary, appears “out of nowhere.”
- He is very fussy, restless, unbalanced, twitching and crawling all the time. Twitching and fidgeting with excitement is especially pronounced.
- The child's activity is aimless and unfocused, which is his natural state, not a way to achieve something.
- He is not able to do something calm, requiring perseverance, or play calm games.
- The child talks a lot - about anything, does not finish the sentence, and “swallows” the words.
- Likes to interfere in other people's conversations or affairs, interferes, interrupts and often annoys others.
- Answers a question before the answer comes to an end. He asks a lot and doesn't listen to the answers. Interrupts.
- Unable to wait and wait and endure.
- During lessons, he shouts from his seat, whispers, fidgets, and creates unnecessary noise.
- Doesn't respond to comments.
- Shows aggression, anger, imbalance, and temper.
If a child is hyperactive with attention deficit disorder, then the signs characteristic of this disorder will certainly appear between the ages of 2 and 7 years, and in the neonatal period characteristic manifestations will be present ( bad dream, anxiety and so on).
In general, let us recall once again that ordinary children can very often become overexcited and exhibit increased activity, but such cases are episodic in nature and, as a rule, have their own reasons (lack of parental attention, physical exhaustion, excess of emotions, life shocks, etc.). Moreover, today children are increasingly very mobile and active. In hyperactive children, a similar state (increased nervous excitability and motor activity) is not only normal for them, it is also “useless”, that is, the child rushes or climbs somewhere simply because he cannot stay even for a second. And this is the main difference by which you can suspect this disorder in your child. Moreover, boys are hyperactive 4-5 times more often than girls. Blonde-haired and blue-eyed children are also more susceptible to this syndrome.
Parents can only suspect hyperactivity or ADHD in their child, but a specialist must confirm the diagnosis. If this is done, mom and dad will have to reconsider the principles of upbringing and relationships with their child. These are special children who are not affected by universal techniques and methods. They need a special approach, a clear daily routine, good rest and sleep, a special diet, and most of all, parental love and support. Therefore, every parent of a hyperactive child is obliged to study this issue and make every possible effort to avoid breaking the little hyperactive personality. And this is so easy to do... By the way, such a child often takes unimportant and trivial things very close to his heart, and at the same time does not allow himself to be consoled and caressed (pushes away, freaks out), although he really needs it.
Please note that many hyperactive children become “difficult” teenagers, often rebelling and going down a destructive path. This can be prevented by establishing a warm, trusting relationship with the child in advance. He must know: that in any life situation you will be on his side, you will be able to understand him, accept him and continue to love him, no matter what. And then with the problems that arise in his life, he will first of all turn to you, and not look for a solution on the streets.
And finally. Be very careful when diagnosing ADHD. There is a high degree of subjectivity in this, but there are no specific methods and techniques that allow one to accurately determine the presence of the syndrome. Many children who do not have ADHD may exhibit some of the ADHD symptoms for a variety of reasons.
And even if the diagnosis is confirmed, always remember that a lot depends on you, on how much you are able to understand and accept a child who is simply structured differently. Remember, we said that most of these children are very talented and capable. By the way, scientists with a high degree of probability suggest that such world luminaries as Mozart, Beethoven, Picasso, da Vinci, Einstein and others suffered from ADHD... It is worth finding a vein in your child that should be developed. What do you think?
Especially for - Larisa Nezabudkina
If it is not noticed in time, such children may face excessive criticism, failure and disappointment, and their parents will try to solve this problem.
Teens with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are easily distracted and have difficulty concentrating. They may be too impulsive and make rash actions, touching unauthorized objects or running outside to catch a ball without thinking about their safety. In a calm environment, they are better able to concentrate. They may also not be able to cope with their mood - they usually experience frequent and severe changes in mood. At school, such children are restless and overflowing with energy, it is difficult for them to sit quietly in one place, they constantly jump up, as if they cannot control their movements. They often have difficulty prioritizing and organizing things. Other children who are unable
concentrate, while they can sit quietly, dream about something, and it may seem that in fact their thoughts are far from reality. Because of this behavior, these children may be rejected by their peers and disliked by their teachers; during their studies, their grades may be unsatisfactory, and their self-esteem may suffer, despite the fact that most often they are no stupider than their peers.
Over the years, various names have been used to describe the condition of children with some or even all behavior problems - minimal brain disorder, hyperkinetic/impulsive disorder, hyperkinesis, hyperactivity disorder, and attention deficit disorder, with or without hyperactivity disorder. Today, most experts use the term attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to diagnose children whose behavior is impulsive, whose attention is distracted, or these two factors appear together. Because all children experience these features from time to time, diagnosis usually requires that symptoms have been present for at least 6 months by age 7, present in a variety of situations, and be more severe than other children of the same sex at that age. .
More than 6% of school-age children have ADHD. The number of boys is higher than that of girls. Researchers are looking at multiple causes of the disorder, including heredity, brain structure and social factors. Some of them believe that children with ADHD are carriers of atypically low levels and imbalances of specific neurotransmitters - chemicals, transmitting messages from the brain to the cells of the body. Recent research suggests that some parts of these children's brains may function differently than those of most children.
Many children with ADHD also have reading difficulties and other characteristic learning problems that later affect academic success. (Although most children with characteristic learning problems do not have ADHD.) Children with language and memory problems have difficulty with schoolwork along with ADHD characteristics of distractibility and impulsivity.
A child with ADHD can have some influence on his family. In a family with such a child, it may be difficult to organize a normal family routine, since the child is very disorganized and unpredictable for several years. Parents may not be able to safely arrange outings or other family events because they cannot be sure what the child's behavior or activity level will be. Children with ADHD often become overexcited and lose control in unfamiliar surroundings. In addition, such children may express their anger and resistance towards their parents, or they may have low self-esteem. All of this may be a result of the child's anger at being taught how to meet parental expectations or complete daily tasks due to the symptoms of ADHD.
At the same time, school performance also suffers, and teachers complain to parents - they also have to deal with the difficulties of their child in relationships with peers: conflict situations, inappropriate behavior and lack of friends. This situation can be extremely stressful for the family as they have to seek out doctors and other professionals to provide the care they need.
Diagnosis of ADHD in children
The diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is usually made by doctors immediately after the child enters school. If you suspect your child may have ADHD, discuss it with your pediatrician. Unfortunately, there are no medical tests or blood tests that can accurately diagnose it. It is placed after complete re-
following the child's health status and collecting all the information from the child's medical history and physical examination, observations of the parents and other people around him, as well as the results of past psychological examinations, if any. The doctor may administer or plan further educational, psychological, and neurological evaluations and will talk not only with you and your child, but also with his or her school teacher. Your pediatrician will want to know how your child behaves during playtime, doing homework, and how he interacts with you and other children or adults. t
During this evaluation, your pediatrician will try to rule out other diseases or conditions that sometimes have ADHD-like symptoms. Poor concentration and self-control, as well as excessive activity, can be signs of many other conditions, including depression, anxiety, child abuse and lack of attention. stressful situation in the family, allergic reactions, vision and hearing problems, paroxysms or reactions to medications.
In many cases, family members have a history of problems with impulsivity, concentration, or learning difficulties for generations. Often the mother, father or other close relatives of the child needed help in solving similar problems during childhood. Collecting such information helps the pediatrician in assessing and treating the child.
Treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and related disorders
Although the symptoms of the disease can be reduced, there is no cure for the condition, just as there are no easy solutions to the problems associated with ADHD. However, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the long-term effects of disorders that may occur if the condition is left unattended. This is already a chronic disease that requires constant ability to cope with the situation, as well as enormous patience and perseverance on the part of family members, teachers and the child himself. Treatment is always complex and requires the interaction of the child, parents, pediatricians, teachers, and sometimes psychologists, psychiatrists and social workers.
For true attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the main component of treatment is medicines. The child's condition can be improved with the help of medications that correct attention dysfunction and impulsivity.
In recent years, much attention has been paid to medications that help manage symptoms of attention and activity disorders in children. Additional funds Treatments, including academic persistence, psychological counseling and behavior management, together with medication, can help a child overcome difficulties in learning, controlling emotions and behavior. For example, the doctor may recommend that the child participate in group therapy and social skills training, which is provided for adolescents with certain difficulties; individual psychotherapy in the fight against low self-esteem, feelings of inferiority or depression; parenting training and parenting support groups where mothers and fathers can learn to better cope with their children's challenging behavior; and family therapy, where the whole family can discuss how ADHD is affecting their relationships.
For a child with ADHD, a structured daily schedule with all the chores, consistency, and anticipation can be very helpful. Your pediatrician can give you some advice on how to create an environment for your child to help him cope with difficulties. The best place to start is by establishing a consistent schedule for your child's routine of eating, bathing, leaving school, and going to bed each day. Reward him (with warm words, hugs and occasional material gifts) for positive behavior and following the rules. To keep your child focused on a task (such as putting on clothes in the morning), you may need to be close to him. In addition, before participating in high-stimulus activities (parties, large family gatherings, shopping malls), discuss your expectations with your child about his behavior.
A learning or education professional may work with the teacher to help the child achieve academic success. Because the teacher has a better understanding of the struggle within the child, he is better able to help him become more organized. The teacher can also establish a reward system for the child being able to pay proper attention to the task without humiliating him for his inattentive behavior. It is also better for the child to work in small groups, since children with ADHD are easily distracted by others. The child also works well with tutors, where he is sometimes able to complete many more tasks in 30 minutes or an hour of lessons than in the whole day at school.
Be patient with your child. Remember that it is difficult for him to control his impulsiveness and agitation.
Children diagnosed with ADHD have the right to various types support from the school. Federal law states that under the Other Disabilities category, a child has the right to receive assistance such as spending more instructional time in the classroom, extended test time, less homework, and flexible teaching methods. . To receive such help, a qualified pediatrician or other professional must make a diagnosis of ADHD, and teachers must confirm that ADHD has a significant impact on the child's learning.
Drug treatment of ADHD in children
ADHD is best treated with medication, especially if it affects learning, home life, socialization, or self-confidence and competence. There are some mild degrees of ADHD, and the symptoms of the disease do not affect the child's activities and health - in such cases, medical intervention is not required. But most cases of ADHD require medical intervention along with psychological assistance, training and guidance.
The most commonly prescribed central nervous system stimulants in such cases include methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dexamphetamine (Dexedrine).
Most parents find it difficult to accept the decision that their child should take daily medications, especially ones that will need to be taken for many years. However, they have to agree that negative impact ADHD - unsatisfactory studies and poor performance, rejection by peers, low self-esteem, parental worries and pressure on the child and parents - causes more problems than the child’s constant use of medications.
Drug therapy is only part of a comprehensive treatment that must be carefully defined and include treatment for the child's behavioral, learning, social and emotional difficulties. Drug therapy should be closely monitored and retested by your healthcare provider to determine how effective the treatment is, whether side effects (if any) are present, whether there is a need to adjust the dosage of the medication, and when to stop taking the medication.
Numerous criticisms of the use of medications to treat ADHD raise some concerns about taking methylphenidate (Ritalina), the drug most often prescribed for this health condition. There is currently insufficient scientific evidence to support the authenticity of these data. Here are some of the questions most often raised by opponents of drug therapy for ADHD.
- Methylphenidate has serious side effects. The results of more than 800 studies have proven this claim to be false. Some children actually experience minor side effects after taking methylphenidate, such as decreased appetite, decreased sleep, and slight weight loss. Over time, children taking this medicine return to normal indicators weight and height. When manifested side effect Doctors can usually adjust the dose to minimize such problems, or replace the drug with another drug. Claims that methylphenidate causes stunting and depression are not true if the child is properly diagnosed and taking the correct dosage of the medication.
- Children who take methylphenidate for a long time often begin to abuse illicit drugs during adolescence. Some children with ADHD are so impulsive and have such behavior problems that they may experiment with drug use during adolescence, but this has nothing to do with methylphenidate and is actually quite rare. On the contrary, if a drug is very effective in helping children succeed in school and in life, their self-esteem becomes higher, and therefore they are less likely to try drugs.
- Some children with behavioral disorders ADHD is misdiagnosed and treated incorrectly with methylphenidate. If such behavior problems are not dealt with by the time the teenager reaches adolescence, his behavior will get worse, he may start using drugs and he may get into trouble with the law.
- Children can become dependent on methylphenidate after taking the drug for so many years. Methylphenidate is not addictive, and adolescents with ADHD do not experience withdrawal symptoms when they have to stop taking the drug sooner or later.
- Methylphenidate is a common tranquilizer that helps teachers control students. Methylphenidate does not have a sedative or calming effect in children. Rather, it is an stimulant that can normalize biochemical imbalances in the brain, thereby improving the ability to concentrate.
- Methylphenidate masks and hides true behavioral problems that no one is trying to address while the child is on the drug. In some cases, a teenager may be misdiagnosed with ADHD; if, for example, the child actually has clinical depression rather than attention deficit disorder, then methylphenidate is not an appropriate treatment and may only worsen the depression and make the child want to withdraw. But once a teen has been correctly diagnosed with ADHD, medilphenidate is one of the most effective treatments available to help the child achieve positive results at school and effectively manage challenging behavior.
Controversial treatments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children
Over the years, parents and even some doctors have advocated other approaches to treating ADHD. Although they have had some success, rigorous scientific research shows that these treatments are ineffective for most adolescents.
Perhaps the most common treatment is dietary modification, based on the theory that artificial colors and additives may contribute to ADHD symptoms. But research suggests that, except in rare cases, dietary supplements are not associated with ADHD symptoms. Most claims of success with dietary changes are exaggerated, and children are more likely to respond to the extra attention they receive from their parents than to the dietary changes themselves.
Other unconventional methods Treatments have failed to achieve better results for the vast majority of children with ADHD, including a low-sugar diet, high-dose vitamin supplements, and eye-training exercises. However, the results of some recent accurate scientific research show that a very small group of children with ADHD may have difficulty concentrating when their diet includes red-colored foods and may therefore benefit from special diet. A small proportion of children may also show signs of ADHD when exposed to foods that commonly cause allergic reactions (chocolate, nuts, eggs and milk). Parents can easily notice such reactions and should report them to their pediatrician. So far, such children are in the minority, and the organization of a diet in itself is not considered as a treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Does ADHD go away with age?
Some children still have symptoms of the disease into adolescence and continue to require medications and/or other treatments. Research shows that 50-70% of children diagnosed with ADHD between the ages of 6 and 12 continue to exhibit symptoms of the disorder at least into middle adolescence. Although a child's hyperactivity can be managed, problems of inattention and distractibility often remain. Particularly during middle school age, when demands on a child's cognitive and organizational abilities increase, these symptoms can interfere with academic success. In less than 3% of cases, the classic symptoms of ADHD, such as impulsivity and poor concentration, inability to perform well, and the resulting feelings of self-dissatisfaction, persist into adulthood, although they may lessen over time.
ADHD is a true neurodevelopmental disorder that, if left untreated, can interfere with a child's future success and harm their relationships with others. But with careful monitoring, family support and psychological help, your child can achieve some success both academically and socially.
Does your child have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
Only a doctor or psychologist can accurately diagnose ADHD. If your school-aged child exhibits some of the following symptoms associated with ADHD and they are interfering with his or her ability to succeed academically, socially, or self-esteem, contact your doctor, pediatric neurologist, child psychiatrist, child psychologist or a pediatrician who specializes in child behavior and development.
Inattention
- Doesn't complete school assignments accurately
- Shows an inability to pay attention to certain things
- Doesn't listen well
- Disorganized
- Avoids tasks that require prolonged effort
- Loses things
- Easily distracted
- Often forgets something
Hyperactivity-impulsivity
- Fidgets and turns
- Restless
- Easily excitable
- Impatient
- Shows unstoppable energy
- Interrupts others
- It's hard for him to wait his turn
It very often happens that parents complain that their child is restless, does not listen, does not sit still for a second, and it is very difficult for him to sit quietly and do his job. Could this simply be a character trait of the child, bad manners, or is it a pathological condition that requires correction?
Often, in such children, psychologists, as a result of diagnosis, determine the presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Below we will describe the causes of hyperactivity, how this syndrome manifests itself, what criteria exist for diagnosing this pathology, how to treat hyperactivity, and provide a number of tips for parents and teachers.
ADHD is a persistent behavioral disorder with onset in childhood, manifested by impulsivity, difficulty controlling, decreased concentration and a number of other symptoms.
A little history
Back in the 19th century, the German psychoneurologist G. Hoffman first described an overly active and active child, calling him “Fidget Phil.” Since the 60s of the 20th century, this condition began to be considered pathological and was called minimal disorders of brain activity. In the 80s, this disease received its place in the international classification of diseases and became known as ADHD.
Causes of ADHD
Unfavorable factors during pregnancy:
Adverse factors during childbirth:
- Prolonged labor
- Rapid labor
- Stimulation of labor
- Prematurity (birth before 38 weeks of pregnancy)
Other factors:
- The child has neurological diseases
- Conflict situations in the family, tense relationships between parents
- Excessive severity towards the child
- Heavy metal poisoning, such as lead
- The child’s poor nutrition also plays a role.
There is a misconception that cervical spine injuries cause ADHD.
If a child has a combination of several factors in the development of the disease, then the risk of developing hyperactivity syndrome in such children increases.
Classification of ADHD
Depending on the dominant signs of hyperactivity, three types of the disease are distinguished:
- Hyperactivity disorder without attention deficit disorder
- Attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity
- Hyperactivity disorder combined with attention deficit disorder is the most common type of disease.
How does hyperactivity manifest?
The prevalence of the disease is 4-5% among children. Boys suffer from ADHD about 6 times more often than girls.
Let's consider how and at what age hyperactivity can manifest itself in children. Symptoms may first appear before a year. At this age, such children may be excessively excitable and may react too violently to various manipulations, bright light, and sound. They often have sleep disorders - they have difficulty falling asleep, wake up frequently, and the period of wakefulness is increased. In physical development, they may be somewhat behind their peers (1-1.5 months). Speech development may also be delayed.
Similar symptoms can occur in many other diseases, so if they are present, you should not independently draw conclusions about the reasons for their occurrence. You should consult a doctor for timely diagnosis of the disease.
Also, it should not be classified as a pathology if one of the symptoms appears only occasionally. It’s quite normal if a child’s schedule is out of whack and he can’t fall asleep at his usual time, or if he’s just carried away by the game and ends up falling asleep. There can be many reasons for a child’s whims, ranging from teething to irregularities in the child’s diet.
Already at about 2-3 years, distinct symptoms appear, but most parents do not notice them or consider such manifestations to be the norm. Naturally, this does not serve as a reason for them to see a doctor, but in vain, because the earlier the problem is identified, the easier it will be to deal with it. At this age, restlessness may already appear; one can note an excessive number of movements in the child; these movements are chaotic. The specialist can determine the delay speech development, and then the presence of “motor awkwardness”.
Often, it is at the age of 3 years that parents can pay attention to the child’s condition. It is at the age of 3 that the child’s next age crisis begins, when he becomes aware of his Self, explores the boundaries of what is permitted, and therefore becomes very stubborn and capricious. This is a normal period of a child’s mental development, but at the same time, in children with ADHD, all the signs become aggravated.
Also during this period, many children are sent to kindergarten, where other people watch them and they often tell their parents that their child is restless, inattentive, does not listen to teachers, and cannot be put to sleep. This may be the first call for parents to contact a specialist. At this age, memory and attention develop intensively; in children with ADHD it occurs more slowly.
Since a child with ADHD has a nervous system that cannot cope with increased demands, physical and mental stress, deterioration can be observed in preschool children (aged 5-5.5 years). At this time in kindergarten, children begin to preparatory classes which require concentration, the ability to sit in one place for some time and listen to an adult.
The mental development of such children lags behind; this can manifest itself in low self-esteem, imbalance, and hot temper. Such children may complain of headaches, they may have nervous tics, and they may develop phobias (fears). Some are diagnosed with enuresis.
School-age children, despite intact intelligence, have poor academic performance. They are inattentive in class and find it difficult to get carried away with anything. They find it difficult to find a common language with their peers; such children are prone to conflicts. Because of their intolerance, they rarely have good relationship with classmates and teachers. Such children are not able to assess the consequences of their actions, they are very impulsive, often aggressive, which, in the absence of diagnosis and treatment, can subsequently lead to antisocial behavior.
The sooner you start treating hyperactivity, the fewer consequences you can get away with.
Diagnostic criteria for ADHD
It is advisable to use them no earlier than 6 years. To establish a diagnosis of ADHD at the age of 6-17 years, 6 matches are sufficient, for persons over 17 years old - 5 matches. These criteria can and even should be present in a child with ADHD at an earlier age.
Criteria related to manifestations of hyperactivity:
- Restless movements of arms and legs.
- Sitting on a chair, he constantly spins and turns.
- In situations where you need to stay in one place, he gets up and leaves.
- The presence of aimless movements - jumping, running, spinning when it is not appropriate or necessary.
- The inability to sit quietly and do something calmly.
- Constantly on the move.
- Too talkative.
- Answers a question without listening to the end.
- He cannot wait for his turn, or it is very difficult for him to do so.
- Constantly interferes in someone else's game or conversation.
- During sleep, he constantly turns over, throws off the blanket, and crumples the sheet.
Criteria related to manifestations of attention deficit:
- The inability to pay attention to small details makes mistakes in school due to negligence and inattention.
- Cannot concentrate while playing or completing a task.
- When talking to a child, you get the impression that he is not listening to you.
- Cannot fully complete assignments, homework, or homework, and this behavior is not associated with the child’s protests.
- It is difficult for a child to organize independent activities.
- Consciously avoids any tasks or work where attention is required.
- The child often loses his things.
- Easily distracted by external stimuli.
- Differs in forgetfulness in various everyday situations.
- There is a tendency to destructive behavior, often breaks something, while denying any involvement.
If a child is suspected of having ADHD, parents should consult a neurologist for consultation and examination. Often another serious illness may be hiding under the guise of ADHD. Only a doctor can differentiate the diagnosis.
ADHD Treatment
Correction of hyperactivity should be carried out using several methods, including medicinal and non-medicinal. Non-drug treatment methods are predominantly used. Medicines are used if all other methods have proven ineffective. The main directions of ADHD correction:
Correct physical activity
Children with ADHD should not study sports games with competitive elements, as they can intensify the manifestations of the disease. Games with demonstration performances and static loads are also not recommended. Light aerobic exercise, such as swimming, skiing, and cycling, will be useful.
Classes with a psychologist
There are different techniques to reduce anxiety and increase a child’s communication skills. A psychologist can model various situations success, help choose an area of activity for the child in which he will feel confident. Exercises are given to develop speech, memory, and attention. For severe speech impairments, sessions with a speech therapist are recommended. It can also be useful to change the child’s environment; if there are positive changes in treatment, a good attitude towards the child will be formed more quickly in the new environment.
Family psychotherapy
The child’s problem also leaves its mark on the parents, especially the child’s mother, who is most often in contact with him. Such women are 5 times more likely to be diagnosed with depression, they are irritable, impulsive, and intolerant. Family psychotherapy will help your child get rid of ADHD faster.
Relaxation
Relaxation auto-trainings have a beneficial effect on such children, as they normalize the activity of the central and peripheral nervous system and stimulate the reserve activity of the cerebral cortex.
Behavioral correction
Not only the child must change, but also the adults around him. Children with ADHD have very high threshold to negative emotions, therefore they are immune to prohibitions and punishments, but at the same time they respond very easily to positive emotions; it is much more effective to praise them for good deeds than to scold for bad ones. With such a child, it is necessary to minimize prohibitions and refusal. Of course, there is no need to go beyond what is reasonable. Only things that may be dangerous or harmful to the child should be prohibited. Relationships with such a child must be built on mutual understanding and trust. The microclimate in the family is also important. Parents also need to minimize quarrels among themselves, especially not to quarrel in front of the child! It is important to spend leisure time with the whole family. The child needs help organizing a routine and place for studying.
Drug therapy
In the United States, psychostimulants are actively used to correct ADHD. They are very effective, but have many side effects, which is why it was decided that such therapy is carried out when other methods are ineffective.
In Russia, psychostimulants are prohibited for use in ADHD. Instead, they are trying to use nootropic drugs to improve the metabolic processes of the brain, but there is no evidence base for the use of nootropics for ADHD.
- Use a positive parenting model - grab your child more often when he deserves it. Be more attentive, encourage even minor successes, use the word “yes” more often than “no” and “no”.
- Give him daily chores to do around the house without doing them for him (making the bed, washing the dishes after dinner, or taking out the trash).
- Keep a notebook where, together with your child, you will describe his progress for the day every evening.
- Do not overestimate or underestimate the requirements for your child, set tasks for him that correspond to his abilities, and praise him for completing these tasks.
- Define clear boundaries for him - what can and cannot be done. A child with ADHD must learn to cope with normal difficulties for his age. You should not create “greenhouse” conditions for him.
- Ask your child for anything, do not order him.
- If your child behaves defiantly, it means that he wants to get your attention, but does not know how else to do it. Spend more time with him.
- There should be a clear daily routine at home. Not only children, but also adults should follow it!
- Do not go with your child to overly crowded places, shopping centers, or the market. This may overstimulate him.
- Protect your child from overtiredness, as this causes excessive motor activity and reduces the ability to self-control.
- Don’t let yourself sit in front of the TV for a long time, introduce a cartoon viewing mode, for how long and at what time, strictly follow it.
- Any restrictions and rules that you introduce must be feasible; before introducing them, think about whether you can definitely fulfill them. For example, you shouldn’t tell your child that he will watch TV once a week; you still won’t be able to always follow this rule and you yourself will be the first to give up. In this case, everything you demand, all your rules will be devalued.
- Adjust your sleep schedule. The child should go to bed and wake up at the same time. He needs to get enough sleep. Otherwise, the child’s self-control decreases, and by the evening you may see him uncontrollable.
- Teach your child to control himself and think about the consequences of his actions.
- Be calm, no matter how difficult it may be. You are an example for your child.
- It is important for children to realize their importance and to be successful in something. Help him choose some area of activity in which he can reveal his abilities and succeed.
- Reward your child even for small successes; verbal praise also means a lot.
- During the lesson, take a couple of minutes of active rest, get up and do a little exercise.
- The class schedule must be constant.
- There should be no distracting objects, paintings, crafts, or stands in the classroom.
- Hyperactive children need an individual approach, you shouldn’t treat children as a mass at all, they are all different, each needs a different approach, and children with ADHD need this even more.
- Such children should be in the center of the class, opposite the board, in the first or second rows, they should always be visible to the teacher and be able to quickly attract his attention.
- Involve such a child in active actions during the lesson - ask to wash the board, collect notebooks or distribute them.
- Avoid monotony and monotony in lessons. Introduce a creative element, motivate children, make the lesson interesting, and not just a mandatory few tens of minutes. This is useful for all children, as the material will be learned much better, and the children will want to come to your lesson again.
- Break large tasks into several smaller ones and monitor the completion of each part.
- Do not overestimate or underestimate the requirements for your child.
- Create a “success situation” for your child, one in which he can express himself.
- Help your child adapt to the team, teach him social rules and norms, and help him establish contact with peers.