Hi my name is Melissa Folaji and today I will be talking about ADHD.
Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a condition of the brain that makes it hard for children to control their behaviour. All kids have problems with their behaviour from time to time but kids with ADHD have behaviour problems that interfere with regular life and are continual.
It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However children with ADHD do not just grow out of these behaviours. The symptoms continue and can cause difficulty at school, at home or with friends. A child with ADHD might also have, A hard time paying attention Be easily distracted from schoolwork or play Be in constant motion or unable to stay seated Squirm or fidget Have trouble taking turns
There are three different types of ADHD, depending on which symptoms are strongest in the individual. Predominantly Inattentive Type: it is hard for the individual to organise or finish a task, to pay attention to details, or to follow instructions or conversations. The child/person is easily distracted or forgets details of daily routines. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type: The child/person fidgets and talks a lot. It is hard to sit still for long, (e.g. for a meal or while doing homework.) Smaller children may run, jump or climb constantly. The individual feels restless and has trouble with impulsivity. Someone who is impulsive may interrupt others a lot, grab things from people or speak at inappropriate times. A person with impulsiveness may have more accidents and injuries than others. Combined Type: Symptoms of the above two types are equally present in the person.
ADHD is usually only diagnosed in school-aged kids (ages6-12) because it is harder to diagnosis in younger children. Deciding if a child has ADHD is a several step process. There is no single test to diagnose ADHD, and many other problems, like anxiety, depression and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms. One step of the process involves having a medical exam, and a hearing and vision test to rule out other problems with symptoms like ADHD. Another part of the process includes a checklist for rating ADHD symptoms and taking a history of the child from parents, teachers, and sometimes, the child.
Medication can help a child with ADHD in their everyday life and may be a valuable part of a child’s treatment. There are serveal different types of medications that may be used to treat ADHD. Stimulants are the best- known and most widely used treatments, between 70-80 percent of children with ADHD respond positively to these medications. There are three basic types of stimulant medication. Short-acting, which moves into the system quickly, wears off after a few hours and must be taken several times a day. Intermediate-acting, which enter the system more gradually and require fewer doses during the day. Extended-release, which requires only a single daily dose.
Behavioral Therapy is another treatment option that can help reduce problems for children and should be started as soon as a disgnosis is made . Use goals and rewards, discipline effectively and help your child discover a talent The examples as well as the one’s above might help a child’s behavioral therapy.
Parent training is an other important part of treatment for a child with ADHD. Educating parents on how to teach their kids about organisation, develop problem solving skills and how to cope with their childs ADHD symptoms. Post pictures list of routines in key places around the house. Focus on one behavior you want to change at a time. Plan ahead to be sure your child is not overtired or hungry during shopping trips or other pontenially risky outings.