EBN- Children can be a little naughty, but if your child is hyperactive, unable to maintain focus, and acts out in a way that affects learning and social relationships, he or she may need treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to bumrungrad.
The three main characteristics of ADHD
Hyperactivity:
The child runs around tirelessly, plays violently without fear of injury, constantly moves and twists, often leaves his seat and cannot sit still. When the child reaches school age, he cannot concentrate and constantly wanders around the classroom. Some children may lie on the floor. The child plays so violently that other children do not want to play with him.
Inattention:
When a child reaches school age , he or she may have learning problems because he or she is easily distracted, doesn’t seem to listen when spoken to, has difficulty remembering things and following instructions, and doesn’t pay attention to details. The child makes unintentional mistakes, has difficulty finishing assignments, and often loses things or forgets where they are.
Impulsiveness:
The child has difficulty taking turns or allowing others to speak without interrupting them.
A child with ADHD may have only one or all three of these characteristics, but symptoms will always appear before the age of 12 and are caused by dysfunction in the frontal areas of the brain.
If you are concerned that your child’s behavior may be a sign of ADHD, please consult a doctor because if left untreated, ADHD can affect family relationships, social relationships, and the ability to learn. As children with untreated ADHD grow older, they may feel isolated because they do not have friends to play with. They are also more likely to be irritable, get frustrated easily, and be very sensitive to what people say.
However, before diagnosing a child with ADHD, it is important to understand that children naturally have different levels of attention and focus at different ages. In the first year of life, children can usually stay focused for only 2-3 minutes, but this increases to 3-5 minutes between 1-2 years of age, and 5-15 minutes in preschool. By the time a child enters primary school, they will generally be able to stay focused for 15-30 minutes or more.
Once ADHD is diagnosed, the severity of symptoms can be reduced with treatment. In severe cases of ADHD or related conditions, medications may be used, but the most common form of treatment is behavioral therapy, which involves setting appropriate limits, giving short instructions and asking the child to repeat instructions, and modifying the learning environment to minimize distractions such as having children sit at the front of the classroom or near the teacher’s desk. For treatment to be effective, the doctor will communicate with the child’s parents and teachers.
Some simple tips that parents can offer include:
– Regulate your children’s use of technological devices. Do not allow children under two years old to watch TV or play computers and video games. Children over two years old should play with digital devices for a maximum of one to two hours per day.
Get your children used to eating, sleeping and playing at specific times so that they are trained to control themselves.
If your child has ADHD, try to understand the condition and its positive effects. Children with ADHD love to move and participate in physical activities, so encourage them to play outdoor sports. At school, teachers can give them extra chores, such as cleaning the boards or helping to carry something
