Does Your Child Have ADHD?

Does Your Child Have ADHD?

Is your child just overactive or is it Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? Does he show signs of being impatient and also behaves like he hasn’t been taught any manners? It could be that your child is living with ADHD. Read this article to find out the causes and symptoms of ADHD in children.

What Is ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a medical condition which can affect both children and adults but more prominently starts in childhood. It is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. The symptoms of ADHD differ from child to child, so, it may be very difficult to recognise. A person with this condition has differences in the brain which affects their attention span, the ability to simply sit still and it is also characterised by a lack of self-control. This can affect a child’s performance at school, his psycho-social behaviour and even puts a dent on friendships and other such relationships.

Also read: Find Out Your Baby’s Behaviour According To Zodiac Signs

Causes Of ADHD In Children

Although there isn’t concrete evidence of what exactly causes ADHD, research has shown that genes and heredity seem to play a huge role. If a parent is suffering from ADHD, there is a 50% chance that that person’s child will have ADHD as well. If an older sibling has it, there is a 30% chance that the younger sibling will have it as well.

Children who are born with low birth weight and are born prematurely are also at a higher risk of having ADHD. Mothers who had a complicated pregnancy, smoked, drank and partook in drugs during pregnancy may also give birth to babies who are susceptible to ADHD. A child’s surroundings, the environment around him and problems in the central nervous system are also possible causes of ADHD. An article published by www.nhs.uk suggests that people with ADHD “may have an imbalance in the level of neurotransmitters in the brain, or that these chemicals may not work properly”.

Contrary to popular belief, ADHD is not caused by eating too much sugar and it’s a condition that can be significantly improved with the help of treatment, healthy eating habits, adequate rest and exercise and a support system that understands ADHD well.

Signs Of ADHD In Children

#1. Selfishness

One of the most common signs of ADHD is narcissistic behaviour. Children with ADHD often exhibit an inability to understand other people’s needs, feelings, desires and urgencies. They seem to put themselves first in most situations without thinking about how it may affect other people.

#2. Interrupting

Whether it is a conversation, a serious game of chess, a speech or even a TV show, kids with ADHD may come across as rude and ill-behaved because they are always interrupting people and things to make their needs heard first.

#3. Impatient

Children with ADHD have a hard time waiting for things to happen. They want everything to happen immediately. If suppose, a child with ADHD is playing a game with his classmates, he may force his way into another child’s turn and may also be aggressive about it as well.

Also read: How To Talk To Your Kids About Periods

#4. Throws Tantrums

A child with ADHD is generally seen throwing tantrums for no reason. They have angry outbursts at any given time and will cry for attention as well. They also have a hard time facing reality when the situation doesn’t favour them and they also have a very loose control of their emotions.

#5. Fidgety

One of the primary characteristics of ADHD is that the person who has it can’t sit still or in one place for a very long time. They become restless easily and are distracted by even the smallest things. When forced to sit quietly in one spot, they will find ways to go against what is asked of them and try to run around. This also makes them have a hard time doing any activity quietly.

#6. Not Completing Tasks

Due to their restless behaviour and eagerness to get things done instantly, it appears that children with ADHD have a keen interest on many things and many hobbies. They may start on something diligently but always have problems when it comes to finishing them. Before they finish one task, something else would have caught their attention already. Lack of focus is one of the main symptoms of ADHD.

#7. Carelessness

Children with ADHD have a hard time adhering to rules and listening to people in authoritative positions. When instructions are given to them to do something, they won’t listen properly which leads them to making silly mistakes. However, this carelessness isn’t a direct indication of the child’s lack of intelligence or laziness.

Also read: Awesome Benefits of Play time for Kids

What To Do If Your Child Has ADHD

If you are a parent to a child who has ADHD, these are some tips you can follow:

  • Predetermine which behaviours are acceptable and stick to it. Be patient with your child and give him time to learn. If you are punishing him for something in certain day and letting go of the same mistake some other day, he will not learn good behaviour.
  • Teach him that some behaviours like throwing unnecessary tantrums, hitting someone and refusing to do simple things like his homework are absolutely unacceptable.
  • Always encourage good behaviour by giving him a reward. Do it in a way that doesn’t make him greedy. If the only reason your child behaves properly is to earn a reward, teach him that this is also not good behaviour.
  • Tantrums and aggressive outbursts are common among children with ADHD. Have them sit alone in a “Time-Out” as it is very effective. If the outbursts are mild in nature, let it pass. It is important for the child to let go of pent-up frustration as well. However, unreasonable and disruptive behaviour which may even cause harm to others should be punished.
  • Make an everyday routine for your child and make sure both you and your child stick to it. Chalk out specific times for specific tasks and ensure these tasks are completed on time. Adding structure to your child’s day can help both you and your child.
  • Break big tasks into small portions. This helps the child become less restless and distracted.
  • Limit your child’s time in front of the television, his computer usage and don’t spoil him with video games. These distractions will only make symptoms of ADHD come out stronger.
  • Physical activity helps burn off excess energy in healthy ways. Exercise may even improve concentration and stimulate the brain.
  • Take breaks for your own sanity too. Remember that living with a child with ADHD can be unpredictable but you have to calm down and take one day at a time.

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