What is ADHD and How do You Manage it?
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can afflict children. People suffering from ADHD have symptoms such as:
1) Poor concentration and attention span
2) Poor memory
3) Impulsiveness - the trait of doing things without thinking first
4) Easily frustrated - often leading to temper tantrums and outbursts
While most children as well as adults face similar difficulties during daily routine, those children who suffer from ADHD have a far larger frequency of these difficulties. The extent is so acute that they are unable to undertake tasks such as:
a) at school (getting work done, paying attention, daydreaming, losing homework, talking in class, being disruptive, etc.),
b) at home (are not able to finish chores, are clumsy, get into fights with siblings and more)
c) socially (unable to take turns or wait in line, bossy and overbearing, easily frustrated leading to temper outbursts and aggression, impulsive, so often in trouble for doing antisocial actions e.g. unwise "practical jokes").
ADHD is not a disease or illness in the sense that it is caused by germs, by injury, or by a clearly defined physical malfunction (such as asthma or diabetes). It is simply the result of parts of the brain not working at full efficiency.
Studies have proved that ADHD is partially genetic, gets transferred from parents to children and in a way runs in the family. What has also been established that the symptoms and the problems associated with ADHD are almost life long. They cannot be cured over night are with you for a long time. In most cases, these symptoms and problems continue well into the teens and often into adulthood too.
How do you manage ADHD?
The big concern for children with ADHD is the danger of developing long term complications. For example:
a) because they can not concentrate, they may fail in school and so drop out,
b) they may be constantly in trouble because of their impulsivity and so be excluded from school and end up with the police,
c) they may be so discouraged by their failures that they turn to drink, drugs, crime, or become depressed and anxious.
These fears are what bother these children as these factors could influence their attitude and performance in adult life too.
Effective management of ADHD starts at home. Parents have to be very patient and give their best to their child. The treatment of ADHD is very long, but it has to be given to the child so that he is a better adjusted adult. The goal is to prevent those long term compliations. Since you as the parent know your child the best, it is you who will have to take an active part in the management of his ADHD. An effective ADHD management program should include the following components:
COMMITTED PARENTS. These are parents who work wholeheartedly towards the betterment of the child. There is more than adequate information available in the form of books and videos to guide parents on how o assist their ADHD afflicted child. They just need to buy or borrow these read them and be better informed abut this so as to be effective. It is good to discuss what you read with a professional or a local support group as there is a lot of mis-information on this subject. This is especially from self professed guru's who profess magic-cures for your child.
GOOD COMMUNICATION between home, school and other professionals. This especially applies to home and school, so do all that you can to meet regularly with the school to work together on solutions for your child.
ADJUSTMENTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT. Children with ADHD perform best under one-on-one conditions and exhibit worse behavior in chaotic situations. They prefer a quiet, calm and structured environment against a noisy place. As parents, we must ensure similar less stressful surrounding for the child by re-organizing our lives if required.
CLEAR STRATEGY FOR BEHAVIORAL MANAGEMENT. Children afflicted with ADHD are great responders to award and punishment scenarios. They come out best when they are informed of the awards they shall receive when they behave in a particular manner. Obviously, the awards have to be far more frequent than the punishment. Are not clear on what is involved need to consult a professional.
PARENTAL SUPPORT. Since getting along wit these children and bringing them up takes a lot of doing , the parents themselves are likely to get depressed and break up. To avoid marriages to break up and to maintain harmony, it is advisable for parents themselves to seek assistance from parent support groups, parent training groups, respite care, marital counseling, family therapy are such support groups and organizations.
MEDICATION for ADHD should be such that reduces the symptoms and lets the child the opportunity to learn academic, social, and other life skills. The aim here should be to get the correct medicine in the right dosage. child the opportunity to learn academic, social, and other life skills.
There are several types of medication that are used. The most common are the "stimulants" (discussed on the next page), but increasingly common is the new medication atomoxetine, which seems to work very well with few side effects. Ask your doctor for full information.
Health professional can only help the parents solve particular problems of your child, but they can not bring up your child for you. They will also help you clear your doubts on how to handle certain situations.
It is very important for you as a family to learn about the ADHD so that you are able to bring up the child in least stressful environment. The more you learn the better it is for the child and the family as a whole.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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