Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. Recommendations for parents

Reminder for teachers and parents

about children with attention deficit disorder

and hyperactivity

ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Occurs in about 15% of primary school children.

What is a child with ADHD like?

Inattentive

Difficulty maintaining attention during schoolwork and during games. Often makes mistakes due to negligence. Often it seems that the child does not hear the speech addressed to him. Often it is not able to follow the instructions for the task, does not bring things to the end. It is difficult for him to organize himself to complete the task. Avoids, does not like tasks that require long-term preservation of mental stress. Often loses his things. Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli. Often shows forgetfulness in everyday situations

hyperactive

There are frequent restless movements, the child is spinning, spinning, fiddling with something in his hands, etc. Often gets up from his seat in class or in other situations when you need to stay still. Shows aimless (only to throw out energy) motor activity: runs, jumps, tries to climb somewhere, etc. Usually he cannot play quietly, calmly, do something at his leisure. It is often in constant motion, "as if a motor was attached to it." Often talkative

Impulsive

Often answers questions without thinking and listening to them to the end. Usually with difficulty waiting for his turn in different situations. Often in the classroom, he cannot wait until the teacher asks him and shouts from his seat. Often interferes with others, interferes in games or conversations.

If you have 5 or more signs of inattention from the above and 5 or more signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity in a child, and they are stable over time (persist for at least 6 months) and in the situation (that is, they appear both at school and at home) , That with a high degree of probability we can talk about the presence of ADHD in this child. This means that for successful learning and development, it requires a SPECIAL approach on your part!

What is ADHD and where does it come from?

A doctor diagnoses ADHD. In fact, this syndrome is a manifestation of MMD - minimal brain dysfunction, that is, a very slight disturbance in the activity of the central nervous system. There is still no consensus on the reasons for the appearance of such violations, however, it has already been proven that the most common cause of MMD is a birth microtrauma of the cervical spine, which is often not diagnosed in a timely manner. Many other factors can also affect the maturation of the brain of a child - a prolonged lack of oxygen in a child, head injuries during childbirth or in early childhood, toxic damage to the fetus during pregnancy (smoking, alcohol, drug use by the mother, work in hazardous industries) and others.

Main signs of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity (which are detailed in the previous section). These features of the child's behavior have a physiological basis, so the child cannot correct his own behavior with the help of volitional regulation, or it is given to him with great difficulty.

Feature of mental activity such children is cyclical: children can work productively for minutes, then the brain rests for 3-7 minutes, accumulating energy for the next cycle. At this moment, the child is distracted and does not respond to the teacher, does not perceive information.

To maintain mental activity, a hyperactive child needs motor stimulation, that is, he needs to move in order to better perceive information.

Children with ADHD are characterized high fatigue, especially intellectual (physical fatigue may, in general, be absent); low performance; reduced possibilities of self-regulation; difficulties in transferring information from short-term to long-term memory; Difficulty handling large volumes of information.

Signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can be detected already at preschool age, however, during this period they usually do not negatively affect the development of the child, since most preschoolers have the same problems. However, in children with ADHD, symptoms persist when they go to school, often interfering with academic success.

ADHD is a mild lesion of the nervous system, therefore, with an adequate approach to such a child, he is likely to be quite successful in learning (there are often gifted children among such children), and by grades 4-6, the manifestations of the syndrome will practically disappear (in adulthood, the diagnosis of ADHD no longer set).

How to distinguish ADHD from similar signs of behavior?

It is important to distinguish a child who is simply inattentive and restless from a child who has the same symptoms due to ADHD. Since the approach to the child, depending on this, may differ up to the opposite. It is important to know whether there is a physiological reason behind the characteristics of the child (over which his will has no power), or whether he is able to regulate his behavior by volitional efforts.

It is possible to reliably determine the presence of ADHD only by special psychophysiological methods and special diagnostics by a neuropathologist.

Remember that by identifying such a feature of the child as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in time, you can help him achieve the desired success in school!

How to correct the behavior of a child with ADHD?

Since behavioral manifestations are based on physiological problems, then, first of all, the treatment is prescribed by a doctor - a specialist after the diagnosis, most likely, will prescribe to the child funds that normalize brain function and increase the overall tone of the body.

But at the same time, special neuropsychological exercises have been developed to increase performance, relieve stress, promote better interhemispheric interaction, etc. A neuropsychological correction program can be drawn up by a psychologist or psychophysiologist, and parents can also work on it with a child.

And, finally, an important role is given to the creation of a special approach to the problems of the child on the part of teachers and parents. The general principle of working with children with mild functional impairments in the functioning of the brain is that when teaching and organizing their activities, it is necessary to take into account and bypass their defect as much as possible. Much depends on how the surrounding adults are aware of the characteristics of the child and follow the recommendations for optimizing the development of a child with ADHD.

First of all, remember that the hyperactivity of a child with ADHD is not a behavioral problem, but a medical and neuropsychological diagnosis, a hyperactive child has neurophysiological problems that he cannot cope with on his own.

Show enough firmness and consistency in education; avoid, on the one hand, excessive softness, and on the other, excessive demands on the child; repeat your request with the same words many times; listen to what the child wants to say; use visual stimulation to reinforce verbal instructions. Give your child enough attention; do not quarrel in the presence of the child. Set a solid daily routine for the child and all family members, teach the child to clearly plan his activities. Show your child more often how best to complete the task without being distracted; reduce the influence of distractions during the child's task; protect hyperactive children from prolonged use of the computer and watching television; avoid as much as possible large crowds of people; during play, limit the child to only one partner. Avoid restless, noisy buddies. Remember that overwork contributes to a decrease in self-control and an increase in hyperactivity, when a child is tired, do not insist on an urgent task, give him the opportunity to rest. Come up with a flexible system of rewards for a job well done and punishments for bad behavior. You can use a point or sign system, keep a diary of self-control. Do not resort to physical punishment! If there is a need to resort to punishment, then it is advisable to use quiet sitting in a certain place after the act. Praise your child often. The sensitivity threshold for negative stimuli is very low, so hyperactive children do not perceive reprimands and punishments, but are sensitive to rewards. Make a list of the child's responsibilities and hang it on the wall, sign an agreement for certain types of work; gradually expand the responsibilities, having previously discussed them with the child. Do not give your child assignments that do not correspond to his level of development, age and abilities. Help the child to start the task, as this is the most difficult stage. Do not give multiple directions at the same time. The task that is given to a child with impaired attention should not have a complex structure and consist of several links. Verbal means of persuasion, appeals, conversations rarely turn out to be effective, since a hyperactive child is not yet ready for this form of work, the most effective means of persuasion “through the body” will be: deprivation of pleasure, treats, privileges, a ban on pleasant activities, telephone conversations; reception of "off time" (isolation, corner, penalty box, house arrest, early departure to bed). Reward your child for all activities that require concentration (for example, working with blocks, coloring, reading). Give your child the opportunity to expend excess energy. Useful daily physical activity in the fresh air - long walks, running, sports activities. Try not to give the child additional mental stress, in primary school it is not recommended to visit art, music schools, various circles, it is recommended, on the contrary, to visit sports sections, especially for children with ADHD, gymnastics and swimming are useful. Talk to your hyperactive child about their problems and teach them how to deal with them.

Get acquainted with the information about the nature and manifestations of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, pay attention to the features of these manifestations during the child's stay at school.

Try to work with a hyperactive child individually, the best place in the classroom for a hyperactive child is the first desk opposite the teacher's table or in the middle row.

Do not forget to include physical education minutes in the lesson.

Direct the energy of hyperactive children in a useful direction: wash the board, distribute notebooks, etc.

Be calmer about the movements of the child (he can fiddle with objects, pull or tap his foot, etc.), do not force him to sit still, with the help of motor activity, he optimizes the brain. On the contrary, help your child find forms of physical activity that would not interfere with him and others.

Avoid over- or under-demanding a student with ADHD.

Give tasks according to the abilities of the child; break large tasks into successive parts, controlling each of them; do not give complex, multi-level instructions; a child with ADHD is able to keep only one or two actions in memory and attention.

Create situations in which a hyperactive child can show their strengths and become an expert in the class in some areas of knowledge; teach your child to compensate for impaired functions at the expense of intact ones.

When the child is distracted in the lesson, come up and, while saying the task, lightly touch his shoulder or arm, with the constant use of this technique, you can develop a reflex of concentration in the child.

If you see that the child is very tired and does not perceive the information, do not call him to “wake up”, on the contrary, let him rest a little, and then repeat the task to him individually.

Keep in mind that the hyperactivity inherent in children with Attention Deficit Disorder, although inevitable, can be kept under reasonable control with the help of these measures.

About other types of minimal brain dysfunctions

Attention Deficit Disorder is just one type of minimal brain dysfunction, and it is the most common among them. In addition to it, there are also other types of MMD which is also important to be aware of.

Asthenic type MMD.

Such children are characterized by very high mental fatigue (namely mental). It is easy to notice such children in the lessons - they work slowly and quickly get tired, often by the middle of the lesson they are already lying on the desk. They also have very poorly developed attention, especially the distribution of attention, that is, they are practically unable to do two things at the same time - for example, write and listen to a teacher, they are immediately "disconnected" from work by the slightest distractions. It is very difficult for such children to operate with information in the mind in the absence of visual stimuli. They are slow and often do not keep up with the teacher's explanation. They look thoughtful, “withdrawn into themselves”, strange. It is very important not to overload such children with unnecessary mental work - to exclude additional classes in circles, music and art schools, etc. in elementary school. Remember that it is useless to rush a child with an asthenic type of MMD, this is not stubbornness.

2) Rigid type MMD

Such children “enter” work for a very long time, it is difficult to switch from one activity to another. They are characterized by constant ups and downs in performance. It is useless to rush the child when he “digs” for a long time at the beginning of the lesson or doing homework, it is important to let him prepare for a long time, lay out things, as the child is tuned in to work in this way. If you start to push the child, his activity will be completely disturbed. Such children are more delayed than other children in answering questions. If you rush them, they can become completely silent, even if they know the answer. Often, in such children, the previous activity “overlaps” the next, leading to confusion, that is, they may have words from the previous exercise, numbers from the previous example, etc. Breaks between activities and a slower pace of work significantly reduce the number of errors. They usually perform poorly on short tests (even simple ones, because they do not have time to understand what needs to be done), and they do well on long ones (even complex ones).

3) Active type MMD.

Such children are very actively involved in activities, but, as they quickly get tired, they do not work for long. They are often reproached for “unfinished business”, “unwillingness to work hard”, etc. Thus, at the beginning of the lesson they are usually much more efficient and make fewer mistakes than at the end. Periodic rest allows such children to maintain working capacity much longer. It is very important to separate children with this type of MMD from simply lazy children (special diagnostics will help to do this), since if a simply lazy child needs to be encouraged to work, then with children with an active type of MMD, the picture is exactly the opposite - they need to be given the opportunity to rest periodically.

All these types of MMD should also be distinguished from similar signs of behavior without MMD, since this directly affects the approach to teaching and raising a child.

Attention deficit disorder is the most common neurological and behavioral disorder. This deviation is diagnosed in 5% of children. Most often occurs in boys. The disease is considered incurable, in most cases the child simply outgrows it. But the pathology does not disappear without a trace. It is manifested by depression, bipolar and other disorders. To avoid this, it is important to diagnose attention deficit in children in time, the signs of which appear even at preschool age.

It is very difficult to distinguish between ordinary pampering or bad manners from really serious disorders in mental development. The problem is that many parents do not want to admit that their child is sick. They believe that unwanted behavior will pass with age. But such a trip can lead to serious consequences for the health and psyche of the child.

Characteristics of Attention Deficit Disorder

This neurological deviation in development began to be studied 150 years ago. Educators and psychologists have noticed common symptoms in children with behavioral problems and learning delays. This is especially noticeable in a team where it is simply impossible for a child with such a pathology to avoid trouble, because he is emotionally unstable and cannot control himself.

Scientists have identified such problems in a separate group. Pathologies were given the name - "attention deficit in children." Signs, treatment, causes and consequences are still being studied. Doctors, teachers and psychologists are trying to help such children. But while the disease is considered incurable. Is Attention Deficit the Same in Children? Its signs allow us to distinguish three types of pathology:

1. Just attention deficit. slow, incapable of concentrating on anything.
2. Hyperactivity. It is manifested by irascibility, impulsivity and increased motor activity.
3. Mixed look. It is the most common disorder, which is why the disorder is often referred to as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Why does such a pathology appear?

Scientists still can not accurately determine the causes of the development of this disease. According to long-term observations, it has been established that the appearance of ADHD is provoked by the following factors:

• genetic predisposition.
• Individual features of the nervous system.
• Bad ecology: polluted air, water, household items. Lead is especially harmful.
• The impact of toxic substances on the body of a pregnant woman: alcohol, drugs, products contaminated with pesticides.
• Complications and pathologies during gestation and labor.
• Injuries or infectious lesions of the brain in early childhood.

By the way, sometimes pathology can be caused by an unfavorable psychological situation in the family or the wrong approach to education.

How to diagnose ADHD?

It is very difficult to diagnose "attention deficit in children" in time. Signs and symptoms of pathology are clearly noticeable when problems in learning or behavior of the child already appear. Most often, educators or psychologists begin to suspect the presence of a disorder. Many parents attribute such deviations in behavior to adolescence. But after examination by a psychologist, it is possible to diagnose attention deficit in children. Signs, methods of treatment and behavior with such a child are better for parents to study in detail. This is the only way to correct behavior and prevent more serious consequences of pathology in adulthood.

But to confirm the diagnosis, a complete examination is necessary. In addition, you should observe the child for at least six months. After all, the symptoms can coincide with various pathologies. First of all, it is necessary to exclude vision and hearing disorders, the presence of brain damage, seizures, developmental delays, exposure to hormonal drugs or poisoning with toxic agents. To do this, psychologists, pediatricians, neurologists, gastroenterologists, therapists, speech therapists should participate. In addition, behavioral disorders can be situational. Therefore, the diagnosis is made only with persistent and regular disorders that manifest themselves for a long time.

Attention deficit in children: signs

How to treat it, scientists have not yet fully figured out. The difficulty is that the pathology is difficult to diagnose. After all, its symptoms often coincide with the usual developmental delays and improper upbringing, possibly spoiled child. But there are certain criteria by which pathology can be detected. There are such signs of attention deficit disorder in children:

1. Constant forgetfulness, broken promises and unfinished business.
2. Inability to concentrate.
3. Emotional instability.
4. Absent gaze, immersion in oneself.
5. Absent-mindedness, which manifests itself in the fact that the child loses something all the time.
6. Such children are not able to concentrate on any one lesson. They do not cope with cases in which mental effort is required.
7. The child is often distracted.
8. He has memory impairment and mental retardation.

Hyperactivity in children

Often, attention deficit disorder is accompanied by increased motor activity and impulsivity. In this case, it is even more difficult to make a diagnosis, since such babies usually do not lag behind in development, and their behavior is taken for bad manners. How does attention deficit in children manifest itself in this case? Signs of hyperactivity are:

• Excessive talkativeness, inability to listen to the interlocutor.
• Constant restless movements of the feet and hands.
• The child cannot sit quietly, often jumps up.
• Aimless movements in situations where they are inappropriate. It's about running and jumping.
• Unceremonious interference in other people's games, conversations, activities.
• continues even during sleep.

Such children are impulsive, stubborn, capricious and unbalanced. They lack self-discipline. They cannot control themselves.

Health Disorders

Not only in behavior is manifested attention deficit in children. Signs of it are noticeable in various disorders of mental and physical health. Most often, this is noticeable by the appearance of depression, fears, manic behavior or a nervous tic. The consequences of such a disorder are stuttering or enuresis. Attention-deficit children may have reduced appetite or sleep disturbances. They complain of frequent headaches, fatigue.

Consequences of pathology

Children with this diagnosis inevitably have problems in communication, learning, and often in their health status. Surrounding people condemn such a child, considering his deviations in behavior as whims and bad manners. This often leads to low self-esteem and anger. These children start drinking alcohol, drugs, and smoking early. In adolescence, they exhibit antisocial behavior. They often get injured, get into fights. Such teenagers can be cruel to animals and even people. Sometimes they are even ready to kill. In addition, they often manifest mental disorders.

How does the syndrome manifest itself in adults?

With age, the symptoms of pathology subside a little. Many manage to adapt to normal life. But most often, signs of pathology persist. Remains fussiness, constant anxiety and restlessness, irritability and low self-esteem. Relationships with people worsen, often patients are in constant depression. Sometimes observed which can develop into schizophrenia. Many patients find solace in alcohol or drugs. Therefore, often the disease leads to the complete degradation of a person.

How to treat attention deficit in children?

Signs of pathology can be expressed in different ways. Sometimes the child adjusts and the disorder becomes less noticeable. But in most cases, it is recommended to treat the disease in order to improve the life of not only the patient, but also those around him. Although the pathology is considered incurable, certain measures are still taken. Each child is selected individually. Most often these methods are:

1. Medical treatment.
2. Behavior correction.
3. Psychotherapy.
4. A special diet that excludes artificial additives, dyes, allergens and caffeine.
5. Physiotherapeutic procedures - magnetotherapy or transcranial microcurrent stimulation.
6. Alternative therapies - yoga, meditation.

Behavior Correction

Attention deficit is becoming more and more common among children. Signs and correction of this pathology should be known to all adults who communicate with a sick child. It is believed that it is impossible to completely cure the disease, but it is possible to correct the behavior of children, to facilitate their adaptation in society. This requires the participation of all people around the child, especially parents and teachers.

Regular sessions with a psychologist are effective. They will help the child overcome the desire to act impulsively, control himself and respond appropriately to offense. For this, various exercises are used, communicative situations are modeled. A relaxation technique that helps relieve stress is very useful. Parents and educators need to constantly encourage the correct behavior of such children. Only a positive reaction will help them remember for a long time how to act.

Medical treatment

Most medications that can help a child with attention deficit have many side effects. Therefore, such treatment is used infrequently, mainly in advanced cases, with severe neurological and behavioral abnormalities. Most often, psychostimulants and nootropics are prescribed, which affect the brain, contribute to the normalization of attention and improve blood circulation. Antidepressants and sedatives are also used to reduce hyperactivity. The most common drugs for the treatment of ADHD are the following drugs: Methylphenidate, Imipramine, Nootropin, Focalin, Cerebrolysin, Dexedrine, Strattera.

The joint efforts of teachers, psychologists and other specialists can help the child. But the main work falls on the shoulders of the parents of the child. This is the only way to overcome the attention deficit in children. Signs and treatment of pathology for adults must be studied. And in communicating with the child, follow certain rules:

• Spend more time with the baby, play and engage with him.
• Show how much you love him.
• Do not give your child difficult and overwhelming tasks. Explanations should be clear and understandable, and tasks should be completed quickly.
• Build your child's self-esteem on a regular basis.
• Children with hyperactivity need to play sports.
• You need to follow a strict daily routine.
• The undesirable behavior of the child must be gently suppressed, and the right actions should be encouraged.
• Overwork should not be allowed. Children need to get enough rest.
• Parents need to remain calm in all situations in order to be an example for the baby.
• For learning, it is better to find a school where an individual approach is possible. In some cases, home schooling is possible.

Only an integrated approach to education will help the child adapt to adulthood and overcome the consequences of pathology.

Once you have found a medicine that really helps, make sure your child takes it regularly, every day. Children do not need to take breaks from their medications and can use them every day with confidence. Some parents give medicine only before school, and in the evenings, on weekends and holidays, the child does not take it. In fact, it hurts him a lot: he needs medication while he needs to do homework, do extra activities, do housework, socialize with siblings and peers, and even enjoy leisure time.

Set a clear schedule. Make a schedule for the day and week of the child and hang it on the wall. Everything should be scheduled: from the moment the child gets up to the moment he goes to bed. Children with ADHD behave much better when they know what they will do and why.

Set up a reward system for good behavior. For children with ADHD, good behavior is hard work. Some believe that good behavior should not be rewarded and should be taken for granted, but for children with ADHD, this is one of the most difficult tasks. If a child does not receive any reward for good behavior, he will decide that such behavior is not worth it. Remember that a child with ADHD doesn't just want attention, they need it. As a rule, getting attention for bad behavior is very easy and fast, but attention for a good cause is harder to earn, and there is much less guarantee that you will receive it. You need to make sure that the reward for good behavior is much easier to get than the punishment for disobedience.

Make sure your reward system is appropriate for a child with ADHD. He won't be able to behave all week hoping to get a reward on Friday. Rewards should be given immediately and as often as possible. Establish a point system and regularly (often every day) reward your child for good behavior, such as when he starts doing homework or chores, during the task, when he finished doing it, played well with his brother or sister, calmly ready to go to bed and, in fact, for any other behavior that you want to develop and improve.

• Set up not only a points system, but also rewards that the child will receive in return for points. A small number of points he can exchange for small rewards, such as a special time to play with his father, an extra 10 minutes of watching TV, a special treat after dinner. Your child can also save points so that they can later redeem them for larger rewards, such as a friend's sleepover, a day trip, etc. Have a wide variety of rewards to keep the child interested. Rewards should change with age.