Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are both terms used to describe behavioural problems which include being easily distracted, overactive, and restless
ADHD affects children’s ability to learn and interact with others, which can cause severe problems at school and within the family
ADHD is a recognised medical disorder but is not an explanation for all difficult behaviour in children
What might ADHD mean for you and your child?
Dealing with challenging behaviour
What you can do to help your child
What might ADHD mean for you and your child?
Awareness of ADHD is becoming increasingly widespread in our society, and more and more children are being diagnosed with the disorder.
This is a good thing for the thousands of children who go on to receive treatment and support in school and at home to successfully manage their symptoms. However for many parents it raises questions and anxieties. Has my child got ADHD? Is my child’s behaviour abnormal or just childish, exuberant over-activity? What if my child doesn’t get a diagnosis of ADHD, does that just mean I’m a bad parent? Is it my fault? Have I done something to cause my child to have ADHD? Is my child going to be labelled and stigmatised? What will it mean for our family?
There is support out there to help you and your child to address some of the stigma and answer some questions. You may be parenting alone, but one thing is certain, if you have concerns about your child’s behaviour, and you are feeling overwhelmed, you don’t have to cope with it alone.
It is important to get help and to talk to other parents. It is often problems in school that raise parent’s concern that things are not right, as symptoms can become more noticeable or get worse once children begin school, and problems affect their ability to concentrate in the classroom or to get on with other children.
If this is the case, then go and talk to your child’s teacher or the school nurse. Ask questions which help you to get a clear idea of how your child is behaving at school, the answers to which will help you to understand what is going on and will also help when you speak to your GP and if you are referred to a specialist.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Whether your child is in school or not, you will need to go to your GP who can refer your child to a Child Psychologist or Paediatrician. ADHD cannot be specifically tested for, but a specialist can do a diagnostic evaluation based on an assessment of the behaviour your child is displaying in different situations.
The kinds of symptoms that are associated with ADHD are:
• Inability to stay sitting still
• Constant fidgeting
• Getting easily distracted
• Difficulty concentrating
• Finding it hard to complete tasks
• Running or climbing inappropriately
• Not able to hear or follow instructions
• Interrupting others
For a full description of symptoms see the links below. Of course, some of these symptoms could be applied to any 6 year old! It is the combination and frequency of symptoms and how they affect their ability to learn, to socialise and cope with family life that is important in making a diagnosis.
If ADHD is diagnosed treatment might include:
• Behaviour management
• Talking therapy
• Extra help at school
• Medication
• Dietary suggestions
Dealing with challenging behaviour
When your child’s behaviour is challenging it is easy, especially as a single parent, to feel that it is your fault, that you have been a bad parent. However, in most families where there is one child with challenging behaviour or ADHD there are other children who show no signs of maladjustment, brought up in the same family, by the same parents. Even if your child is not diagnosed with ADHD, it is still possible for you to find help with behaviour that you are finding difficult to cope with.
What you can do to help your child:
• Ensure your child is not learning that they only get attention (even negative attention) by being naughty or noisy
• The three most important words to remember when dealing with difficult behaviour are: consistent, fair and firm
• Don’t forget that, as well as the negative manifestations, children with ADHD are often bright, creative, imaginative, generous and articulate
• Check your child for food intolerances and try to avoid food additives and too much sugar. Whilst these things are not considered to be the cause of ADHD, they have been found to make symptoms worse.
• The same with lots of television and video games. Try to encourage more time spent on energetic, outdoor play.
• ADHD is manageable so ensure you get the help you need.
• Make time to take care of your own health which will help your stress levels and consequently help your child.
If you would like to talk to other single parents who have children with similar diagnosis or get support dealing with your children join in on our Discussion board
Find out if there is support in your area in Your Local.
Useful Links
www.addiss.co.uk
Website of ADHD Information Services who provide information, support and training to parents, sufferers and professionals
Website objective is to promote awareness to ADHD and to provide information and as much free practical help as we can to those affected by the condition, both adults and children and their families.
A factsheet for parents of children with ADHD
Some useful tips from Supernanny on how to stay positive when responding to a child with ADHD
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