How to Manage ADHD
Hyperactive children have special needs that need to be taken care of for them to lead productive, happy lives as they grow up. The problem is that the disorder can be challenging not only for parents and teachers, but also for the kids themselves, and the way they interact with other people. If your child suffers from attention deficit disorder or hyperactivity, here are some ways to help you and your child cope with the problem.
What Is ADHD?
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder found in some children during their formative and development years. The disorder can often be resolved through therapy and medication, although many adults who did have ADHD as children may still carry some traces of the disorder as they age. Many theories have been pointed to as causes of ADHD including childhood trauma, physical injury, or the way the brain developed during conception.
Signs and Symptoms of ADHD
Child psychiatrists are the only people who can provide a reliable diagnosis for ADHD. Here are some of the signs and symptoms you should watch out for before taking your child to a mental health professional:
Attention span problems for simple tasks at home or at school.
Very easily distracted by things taking place in his or her environment.
Irritability, especially when he or she is tasked to do chores or attend to schoolwork.
Moves around or fidgets excessively (like running around, jumping, or being very talkative).
Medication
Psychiatrists and child psychologists often use medicines to control, cure, or eliminate ADHD. It’s very important for a parent to make sure that his or her child takes in the prescribed treatment as recommended by the doctor. There are no over-the-counter treatments available to cure ADHD, so you need to follow the doctor’s advice to the dot.
Pay Special Attention
Many factors can trigger the onset of the worst manifestations of ADHD. Children afflicted with ADHD have special needs; while they’re not “abnormal,” there is a need to help them cope with the disorder. Here are some ways you can help your child cope with ADHD at home and at school:
Set schedules and routines for your child that are not boring, but should keep him or her from causing trouble.
Exercise and play can help your child socialize, as well as use up all the pent-up energy inside.
Help your child manage stress by talking and spending more time with him or her. However, don’t make him or her too dependent on you; your child must still be able to make independent decisions that he or she can learn from.
Make sure instructions for tasks are simple and easily understood. Children with ADHD have a difficulty understanding directions and instructions, so you may have to repeat instructions more than once to make sure the child understands it.
For complicated tasks, you may want to break the task down into smaller tasks your child can manage. Instead of making him or her do an entire day’s worth of assignments all at once, you may need to schedule one essay for an hour, then play for another hour, and another assignment for the next hour.
Rewards are good where they’re useful. While you shouldn’t physically punish the child, he or she needs to be disciplined if he or she gets too rowdy or misbehaves.
Join Support Groups
Taking care of a child with ADHD can be quite difficult, and you need to bond with other parents and experts who have prior experience with children or patients with ADHD. Remember that you’re not the only parent or teacher who had to deal with someone with ADHD. You can find information about ADHD support groups from the office of your child psychologist or through the Internet.
ADHD is not an abnormality, but it can be a hindrance to your child’s growth and happiness as he or she grows older. With these tips, you can manage ADHD enough for your child to be a happy and productive member of society.