How to educate children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? | Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Teens

Have you noticed that your child or teen has trouble paying attention? Do they often move at times when they shouldn’t, act impulsively, or interrupt others? If these problems persist and seem to be affecting your child’s daily life, they may have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
ADHD can affect social relationships and academic performance in children and adolescents, but there are effective treatments to manage ADHD symptoms. Learn about ADHD, how it’s diagnosed, and how to get help.

What is ADHD?

ADHD, also known as Attention Deficit Disorder, is a behavioral disorder usually first diagnosed in childhood and characterized by inattention, impulsivity and, in some cases, hyperactivity. These symptoms usually appear together. However, one can occur without the other.

Symptoms of hyperactivity, if present, are most often apparent by age 7 and may be seen in very young preschool children. Inattention or attention deficit may not become apparent until the child is faced with the expectations of elementary school.

What types of ADHD are there?

The three main types of ADHD are:

1. ADHD, mixed type:

This most common type of his ADHD is characterized by impulsive and hyperactive behavior as well as inattention and distraction.

2. ADHD, impulsive/hyperactive type:

This least common type of ADHD is characterized by impulsive, hyperactive behavior without inattention or distraction.

3. ADHD, inattentive and easily distracted type:

This type of his ADHD is predominantly characterized by inattention and distractibility without hyperactivity.

What Causes Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

However, the exact cause of the confusion is still unknown. Available evidence suggests that ADHD is genetic. It is a brain-based biological disorder. Low levels of dopamine (a brain chemical) and neurotransmitters (a type of brain chemical) are found in children with ADHD. Brain imaging studies using a PET (Positron Emission Tomography; a type of brain imaging that can observe the workings of the human brain) scanner show that the brain metabolism of children with ADHD is significantly affected by attention, social judgment, and movement.

Who is affected by Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

It is estimated that approximately 4% to 12% of children have ADHD. A boy is two to three times more likely than a girl to have her ADHD of the hyperactive or mixed type.

Many parents of an ADHD child experienced her ADHD symptoms at an early age. ADHD is common among siblings within the same family. Most families seek help when their child’s symptoms begin to interfere with learning and adjusting to school expectations and age-appropriate activities.

What are the symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

Below are the most common symptoms of ADHD. However, each child may present with different symptoms. Her three categories of ADHD symptoms include:

Carelessness:

Shorter attention span in old age (difficulty sustaining attention)
Difficulty listening to others
Difficulty paying attention to details
Easily distracted
Forgetfulness
Poor organizational skills for age
Lack of age-appropriate education

Impulsivity:

Often disturb others
Difficulty waiting in line at school or board games
Tend to blurt out answers instead of waiting to be called
Often take risks and often act without thinking before acting

Hyperactivity:

It seems to be in constant motion. Runs and climbs, but may not move without a clear goal
Difficulty staying in a seat even when expected
Hands wriggling or squirming while sitting in place. fidget excessively talk too much
Difficulty engaging in quiet activities
Losing or forgetting things frequently and repeatedly
Unable to continue working. Move from one task to another without completing a single task

Symptoms of ADHD may resemble other disorders and behavioral problems. Note that many of these symptoms can also occur in children without ADHD and in her teens. A key component of the diagnosis is that the symptoms must significantly interfere with adaptive functioning in both the home and school environment. Always consult your child’s doctor for a diagnosis.

How is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnosed?

A pediatrician, child psychiatrist, or board-certified psychiatrist will usually diagnose her ADHD in a child. A detailed history of the child’s behavior from parents and teachers, observations of the child’s behavior, and psycho educational testing can help diagnose ADHD. Because ADHD is a spectrum of symptoms, diagnosis depends on evaluating results from a variety of sources, including physical, neurological, and psychological testing. There are also tests that can be used to test intelligence or specific skills. For more information, please contact your child’s doctor.

Treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The specific treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is determined by your child’s doctor based on:

Your child’s age, general health and medical history
The severity of your child’s symptoms
Your child’s tolerance to certain drugs or treatments
Expectations for disease course
Your opinion and preferences

Important components of the treatment of children with ADHD include parental support and education in behavioral training, placement in appropriate schools, and medication. Treatment with psycho stimulants is very effective in most children with ADHD.

Treatment includes:

These drugs are used for their ability to balance chemicals in the brain that prevent children from sustaining attention and controlling their impulses. They help “stimulate” the brain, improve focus, and can be used to alleviate key features of ADHD.
Medications commonly used to treat ADHD include:

Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadat, Concerta, Methylin)
Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, Dextrostat)
Mixture of amphetamine salts (Adderall)
Atomoxetine (Stratera). A non-stimulant SNRI (selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) drug effective for associated mood symptoms.
Lisdexamphetamine (Vyvanse)

Psycho stimulants:

Psycho stimulants have been used and extensively studied to treat childhood behavior disorders since the 1930s. Traditional fast-acting stimulants act quickly in the body, working for 1-4 hours before being excreted from the body. There are also many long-acting stimulants that last 8 to 9 hours and require once-daily dosing. Stimulant administration should be timed around the child’s school schedule to help the child pay attention for longer periods of time and perform better in the classroom. Common side effects of stimulants include, but are not limited to: insomnia
Loss of appetite
Stomach pain
Headache
Nervousness
Rebound activation (hyperactivity and impulsive behavior may increase briefly when stimulants wear off)

Most side effects of stimulant use are mild, decrease with regular use, and respond to changes in dose.Always discuss possible side effects with your child’s doctor.

Antidepressants can also be given to children and adolescents with ADHD to improve alertness while reducing aggression, anxiety, and/or depression.

Psychosocial treatment:

Raising a child with ADHD is difficult and can present challenges that create stress within the family. A behavior management skills course for parents can help reduce stress for the whole family. Behavior management skills training for parents is typically conducted in a group setting that encourages parent-to-parent support. Behavior management skills include:

Conditional attention (response to the child with positive attention when desirable behavior occurs and withhold attention when undesirable behavior occurs)

Teachers can also teach behavior management skills for use in the classroom. Teacher training typically includes the use of daily behavioral reports to teach parents about their behavior at school. Behavior management techniques tend to improve targeted behaviors (e.g., doing schoolwork, holding a child’s hand close to one’s body), but are usually associated with global inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. It does not help reduce sexuality.

Conclusion

Precautions to reduce the incidence of ADHD in children are currently unknown. However, early detection and intervention can reduce the severity of symptoms, reduce the interference of behavioral symptoms with school functioning, promote normal child growth and development, and improve quality of life for children and adolescents with ADHD. can be improved.