The most
marked behavioral trait of any child is impulsiveness. There are many times
when a child’s behavior veers out of control. And at other times he/she may
seem to be constantly day dreaming.
Both
behaviors are usually quite harmless and a part of growing up. It is only when
such behavior becomes repetitive and starts interfering with normal day to day
life, is when parents have cause to worry. ADHD usually affects children more
than adults and 4 % of all children suffer from some type of ADHD. A real
diagnosis is only given by a child psychiatrist.
What is ADHD? Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD is a
condition of the brain that makes it difficult for children to control their
behavior. It is one of the most common chronic conditions of childhood. ADHD is
diagnosed in about 3 times more boys than girls.
The
condition affects behavior in specific ways.
But how to determine if a child has ADHD. Here are a few symptoms of
ADHD
·
Inattention
ü
Had
hard time paying attention and day dreams
ü
Doesn’t
seem to listen very often
ü
Easily
distracted from work and play
ü
Inattention
to detail, silly mistakes
ü
Is
disorganized
ü
Frequently
avoids doing things that require mental effort
·
Hyperactivity
ü
Is
in constant motion, as if driven by a motor
ü
Difficulty
staying seated
ü
Squirms
and fidgets constantly
ü
Runs,
jumps and climbs things despite not being permitted to do so
ü
Can’t
play quietly
·
Impulsivity
ü
Acts
and speaks without thinking
ü
Runs
around without checking surroundings first
ü
Cannot
wait turns
ü
Interrupts
others frequently
ü
Answers
before the question is complete
Children
with ADHD may not show all of the above symptoms. If a parent or the child’s
teacher observes any symptoms, the initial intervention is to be made by the Pediatrician.
Unless and otherwise diagnosed and certified by a psychiatrist, the child is
not labeled as having ADHD.
If you
happen to interact with a child who seems to be hyperactive, here are a few tips:
·
Do
not use the word “do not”, instead put your instructions in a positive note
·
Give
simple instructions to divert the attention
·
If
the child throws tantrums, just ignore the tantrum and try diverting
·
Don’t
embarrass the parent by staring or giving suggestions. Parents are the best
teachers in this situation.
The
article has been written courtesy Ms. Abirami Umashankar, Special Educator at
MLZS HSR Extension. Through her valued insights and
continuous support, we have been able to nurture a successful inclusive
environment at Mount Litera Zee School HSR.