Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children - such a long and complex formulation is used in the section of psychology (pediatric psychology). It means that the child shows a characteristic motor anxiety, as well as the inability to focus for a long time on any object or activity.
According to psychologists, there are no single parameters by which one could evaluate living and restless children, determining whether they suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Most of these diagnoses are made if a small patient regularly shows some symptoms called signs of hyperactivity, and for more than six months. Be sure to examine the child, collect information about his life in the family, the doctor’s communication with parents and carers.
Professionals consider the symptoms of ADHD in children: constant movement, causeless fuss and fidgeting, inattention (especially when the child is addressed). Sometimes the disease manifests itself in the fact that the kids do not know how and do not want to play quietly, speak a lot and interrupt other speakers, and are also able to easily and permanently be distracted from their activities or not bring them to the end.
If your child is behaving in this way - perhaps it should be shown to a specialist who will determine the presence or absence of ADHD. However, one should not rush, because there can be completely different reasons for overactive, nervous, and restless behavior of children. For example, a sharp change in lifestyle, consisting in moving to another city, the divorce of parents or the death of anyone from the environment of the child; constant feeling of anxiety and depression; certain medical conditions that can affect the functioning of the child’s brain.
Only a doctor can understand the problem, who, using the technique developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, will make a diagnosis. The directions of the Academy are aimed at children 6-12, since, unfortunately, it is very difficult to determine the presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in preschool children, as well as in adolescents. During these periods of life, it is common for a person to exhibit certain symptoms of the disease, but often they are due to completely different reasons.
For some reasons, ADHD can be classified into several types:
- combined, in which there are three main signs of the disease - inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. This type is the most common, since its symptoms are quite easy to notice in a child;
- hyperactive-impulsive, in which small patients can focus on specific tasks or objects, and the rest of the time they are both hyperactive and impulsive;
- Inattentive, which is often called attention deficit disorder. Such children are completely inactive, but sometimes they can not concentrate on the task. This type of disease has no signs that are quite pronounced, so children often remain without the attention of a doctor.
Separately, it must be said about the treatment of ADHD. Do not think that it is only in the process of training or raising a child in the family. Of course, all these factors play an important role, therefore, significant attention should be paid to special educational programs during treatment. However, the best results still give the use of medications. In general, doctors recommend combining two types of therapy - medication and psychological, proving that this solution is optimal, not only for combating attention deficit disorder, impulsivity and hyperactivity, but also for the future successful adaptation of a child with a diagnosis of ADHD in society.