Increasingly, we hear on the street, on television, on the radio and on the Internet about such a problem as hyperactivity in children. Many believe that this is not a disease, but such a childhood of transitional age. Others, on the contrary, start to panic and dozens of other diseases come up with over the child’s activity. Let's try to understand in more detail what it is, what its danger is and how to deal with it. Read more about the features and upbringing of a hyperactive child.
What is hyperactivity?
Parents and doctors have been talking about the problem of excessive activity of some children for a long time. But only in the 80s of the last century, such a condition was defined - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
In other words, hyperactivity is a condition in which the child's excitability, energy, impulsivity is much higher than the established norms. This behavior is considered not quite normal and unproductive. For example, such a child is constantly in a hurry somewhere, his occupation often changes. He can pick up one thing, but after a moment he is interested in something completely different, then the third, fourth. Also, children with this syndrome can never complete the work they have begun.
The main symptoms of ADHD
One of the brightest signs of a hyperactive child is a lack of coordination of movements, poorly formed fine motor skills. Most often this is expressed in clumsiness, insecurity in movements. In simple words, children cannot perform basic actions. Because of their restlessness, it is difficult for them to tie shoelaces or fasten buttons. As a rule, it is difficult for them to instill drawing and writing skills. They have a bad memory, and, of course, learning problems.
There are several main signs of a child’s hyperactivity:
- inattention and negligence - cannot hold attention to details, makes many mistakes;
- restlessness - during class, without explanation, can get up and leave;
- trouble sleeping - often rolls over, crumbles a sheet;
- tearfulness - causeless sobbing, screaming, falls into hysteria;
- ignoring any rules of behavior - interrupts, intervenes in someone else's conversation or game;
- first a delay in speech development, then excessive talkativeness;
- confusion - things are often lost, the child does not remember where he put them;
- impatience - cannot wait for his turn, answers, not listening to the end of the question;
- restless and gusty movements with hands, feet.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of signs of hyperactivity. There are other indicators that psychologists or other competent doctors recognize. A child with excess activity should have at least six of the above differences over 1-2 years. Only after this can we assume that he is hyperactive.
Causes of ADHD
The causes and symptoms of a hyperactive child have been studied by many experts. They came to the conclusion that ADHD occurs even during the pregnancy of a mother. Such adverse factors include the following: severe and prolonged toxicosis, fetal oxygen starvation, threatened abortion, bad habits (smoking, drinking) of a pregnant woman.
It is not uncommon that the roots of the appearance of ADHD originate already during childbirth: prematurity of the baby, unit call of childbirth, prolonged or, on the contrary, rapid delivery.
It happens that the syndrome appears due to other circumstances: head trauma, neurological diseases, including infectious diseases, negative microclimate in the family, excessive severity of parents.
It is impossible to exclude such a factor as heredity.
Is a hyperactive child a norm or a disease?
The most important thing is that you need to be able to distinguish between which children need to be prescribed treatment and which do not. Many doctors agreed that not every active, impulsive, restless and inattentive child needs psychotherapy.
The modern generation is very different from the previous one. Therefore, you can not compare the actions of children with their personal behavior. Or even, on the contrary, remember how you behaved at the age of 4-10 years. Probably did not sit at home with a newspaper, did not cook soup, did not consider utility bills? It just may turn out that you are frightened by ordinary children's energy.
Therefore, in order to begin to suspect hyperactivity in a child, one must first consult a psychologist. At the first stage, a specialist from a kindergarten or school is also suitable. Chat with educators and teachers. Let them tell you how a child behaves outside the house. Observe the behavior of the child in the company with your friends. If his activity does not interfere with his normal life, there are no problems with normal development, then there is no problem.
If, on the contrary, you notice that he is not a full member of the team, he has problems communicating with peers, teachers or educators complain about behavior, then you need to examine the child. The sooner you do this, the better for him.
How can parents help their child?
Do you have a hyperactive child? What to do? It will be much easier for the child to cope with his hyperactivity if his mother and father help him in this. For this, psychologists make a number of recommendations to the parents of a hyperactive child:
- Learn to make contact with a child. If he does not want to respond to the words addressed to him, then touch. When surrounding objects interfere with communication, remove them.
- Children with ADHD almost always ignore reprimands and reproaches. But they are very sensitive to praise. Therefore, it is always necessary to note his behavior, to praise when he deserves it, to stimulate those activities that require concentration. In general, relations with a child should be harmonious and positive. Hug him often, kiss him, play games with him.
- It is necessary to plan the regime of the day, which the child will be kept both on weekdays and on weekends. Then it will be much easier for him to adapt.
- It is necessary to create specific rules of conduct. They should be clear and understandable, and most importantly, doable. For example, a child must clean his toys. He must understand that only those with which he plays. He also needs to know exactly where to clean them, and that this should always be done.
- A hyperactive child cannot be given a task that he cannot complete. The requirements for him must correspond to his abilities. Even if the result was not 100%, still praise him for his efforts and accomplishment.
- Children with ADHD always have the qualities they possess best. For example, a child succeeds in collecting puzzles or a constructor, loves to add indoor plants or feed a cat. Similarly, he enjoys a special pleasure. In such cases, let it always do it yourself. You need to praise him for his work.
- Be sure to create opportunities for the child to spend an excess of energy: sports, outdoor games or long walks. This is especially important before bedtime.
- Establish a sleep mode. Such children should go to bed and wake up at about the same time. Thanks to this, the sleep will be calmer, and the child will be able to sleep. Otherwise, he will lose self-control, and after lunch can become uncontrollable.
- A hyperactive child cannot be in too crowded places for a long time: market, shopping center, beach. As a rule, in such an environment he is overexcited and overworked. Which leads to excessive motor activity.
- It is necessary to teach such a child to control himself, to develop conscious piece braking into him. For example, before doing something, he must count to 10.
- Create a calm atmosphere at home so that nothing distracts his attention. Remove excess objects, furnish the room with furniture in plain pastel colors. Nowhere should aggression manifest itself.
- Children with hyperactivity syndrome should not be ordered and threatened with something. Your desire should come in the form of a request, an explanation. They need to see friends and supporters in their parents.
How to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
Some experts in this field believe that if at least six of all the signs of ADHD are inherent in a child, it means that he definitely tolerates this disease. But this is not so. Confirm or deny the presence of hyperactivity in a child can only an experienced neuropsychiatrist. To do this, he conducts a series of tests and other tasks, he directly observes the child for a long time. If the symptoms are confirmed, then treatment begins.
ADHD is treated simultaneously by several methods. It is aimed at correcting the impaired functions of the child’s nervous system and at normal adaptation in society. Basically, they are divided into two treatment methods: medication and non-medication. Let's consider them in more detail.
Non-drug treatment for ADHD
This technique involves the treatment of hyperactivity with the help of psychotherapy, pedagogical and educational correction. Work with hyperactive children should be carried out by both specialists and parents.
If the child is already attending school, then a psychologist must work with him. In the lessons, it is advisable to sit on the first desk, so that he can better concentrate his attention. The duration of classes, if possible, for such children may be reduced.
Mandatory is the conduct of psychotherapeutic work with parents of hyperactive children. They must learn to be more patient with their child’s behavior. For his sake, change his usual daily routine, spend more time with him, more often evaluate efforts, praise and hug.
What should a parent of a hyperactive child do? We must teach him to direct excessive energy in the right direction. Find all kinds of activities that will be useful and interesting to him: cycling, outdoor games, walks in the woods, swimming, skiing and the like.
The psychologist will be able to tell you how to properly reduce the child’s aggressiveness, choose a specific area of activity in which he will feel quite confident. Under the supervision of a psychotherapist, individual autogenic training, family psychotherapy are carried out . During such treatment, practically the entire environment of the child is involved - family, educators, teachers. Characteristic exercises are being developed for the development of speech, memory, behavior and attention.
Medication Hyperactivity Therapy
This treatment technique is used either in conjunction with the previous one, or in the case when the psychotherapeutic approach has not been successful. Basically, they prescribe the use of tranquilizers, antidepressants, nootropic drugs at the rate. Specialists identified the two most effective drugs: amphetamine "Ritalin", antidepressant "Amitriptyline". Any of these drugs can only be prescribed by an experienced doctor. Dosage depends on the age, weight and general condition of the child.
All drugs of the above groups have the following therapeutic effects:
- lowering the level of excitability, impulsivity to surrounding stimuli;
- improved coordination of the motor apparatus, as well as fine motor skills of the hands;
- increased attention span;
- development of learning abilities;
- increased performance;
- the child’s activities and behavior become more organized and focused.
Some specialists, mainly from Western Europe, practice the treatment of ADHD with psychostimulants. However, their use may be accompanied by side effects: insomnia, headache.
The choice of the necessary drug depends on what characteristic of the syndrome is in the first place in the child. If distracted attention, then appoint "Cortexin", "Encephabol", "Gliatilin"; if disinhibition and excessive activity - "Phenibut" and "Pantogam".
The danger of hyperactivity
What is the danger of hyperactivity in a child? The danger is that when a child is still small, he may be injured due to his mobility. Therefore, in the house everything should always be in place, sharp and cutting objects are hidden in lockers and shelves. Such children are required to walk under the supervision of adults. To move in a car you must have an auto seat. If the transport is public, then the child is forced to sit in the arms of the parent.
There are problems with such children in the kindergarten. It is difficult for them to establish relationships in the team. It is also difficult to get used to the mode, listen to the teacher, and sit for some time without movement. As a rule, already at this stage, many parents begin to suspect hyperactivity in the child.
But most of all, ADHD bothers children at school. They adapt poorly, cannot perceive the school curriculum, do not adhere to the rules that exist there, study poorly and disturb others. If at home these are problems of parents, then at school there are teachers.
Nowadays there is enough literature where you can read about how to help a hyperactive child in school. But practically all sources have written a lot and too abstruse. We will highlight 6 basic rules that will really help these children.
Key tips to help children with ADHD learn
The main tips for hyperactive children and their parents are as follows:
- The regime should be in everything. This does not mean that every minute is painted. On the contrary, the child should have a lot of free time to allocate part of it to homework. The regimen concerns sleep and rest more. For example, waking up at seven in the morning, at nine in the evening he is already obliged to sleep. If the child is still in elementary school, then a very useful lunch dream. A daily walk, outdoor games and some household chores are necessary.
- Restriction in sports. Hyperactive children are contraindicated in sports where there are heavy loads and where they work for the final result. Especially harmful relay races and competitions. Children with the syndrome may be too excited because of the experience of losing, which can lead to aggressive impulsivity. Useful is sport, where the process is important, and loads alternate with relaxation.
- Rhythm in everyday life. A hyperactive child is quite fast in movement, but slow in consideration. This slowness arises from the so-called “torn contact” - the impulses of thinking do not keep pace with the impulses of action. Therefore, you need to teach him to notice the rhythm in all activities - games, study, everyday work.
- Adequate perception of grades in school. It is necessary that the child understands that the received assessment or comment is just a characteristic. Therefore, at home no reproaches and judgments. Parents should be a kind of filter between school and home.
- Regulation of discontent. If a child constantly lives in an atmosphere of irritation, it is more difficult for him to compensate for his features. It is necessary that the school also has a favorable and familiar atmosphere for him. When choosing a school and teacher, be sure to pay attention to this.
- Recognize the independence of the child. In most cases, hyperactivity goes away with growing up children. Therefore, you need to understand in time that they can already independently maintain the usual rhythm of life. Self-management is the final stage of recovery from ADHD.
We examined the causes, symptoms and treatment of a hyperactive child. In conclusion, I would like to say that there are a lot of pluses in human hyperactivity. The main thing is to adapt in time in society and be able to properly handle their own characteristics. Hyperactive people think quickly enough, easily switch from one type of activity to another, quickly move away from fatigue. It is these people who often hold leadership positions. There is no need to make a catastrophe with this disease, on the contrary, draw out as many positive aspects as possible from it.