ADD and ADHD in children

It’s normal for children to occasionally forget their homework, daydream during class, act without thinking, or get fidgety at the dinner table. But inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are also signs of attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD).

 

ADD/ADHD can lead to problems at home and school, and affect your child’s ability to learn and get along with others. It’s important for you to be able to spot the signs and symptoms, and get help if you see them in your child.

 

What is ADD / ADHD?

 

We all know kids who can’t sit still, who never seem to listen, who don’t follow instructions no matter how clearly you present them, or who blurt out inappropriate comments at inappropriate times. Sometimes these children are labelled as troublemakers, or criticized for being lazy and undisciplined. However, they may have ADD/ADHD.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that appears in early childhood. You may know it by the name attention deficit disorder, or ADD. ADD/ADHD makes it difficult for people to inhibit their spontaneous responses—responses that can involve everything from movement to speech to attentiveness.

 

Is it normal kid behavior or is it ADHD?

 

The signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD typically appear before the age of seven. However, it can be difficult to distinguish between attention deficit disorder and normal “kid behaviour.”

If you spot just a few signs, or the symptoms appear only in some situations, it’s probably not ADD/ADHD. On the other hand, if your child shows a number of ADD/ADHD signs and symptoms that are present across all situations—at home, at school, and at play—it’s time to take a closer look.

Once you understand the issues your child is struggling with, such as forgetfulness or difficulty paying attention in school, you can work together to find creative solutions and capitalize on strengths.

 

What to do?

 

If you have paid close attention to your child’s behaviour  and still suspect they have ADD/ADHD then you have to get you child to a children's psychologist. They is medication available to assist you but effective treatment for ADD/ADHD also includes education, behaviour therapy, support at home and school, exercise, and proper nutrition.

 

The influence of television on young minds

Most parents underestimate the amount of influence the programmes on television have on young minds. It is vital that you take control in your household and pay careful attention to the programmes you let your children watch.

In this constantly changing world, television plays an imperative role in the receiving of information. The choice of what your children see and hear in the home is up to you.

This does not mean you should shield your young inquisitive minded children of reality but there is a fine line. You have to create a balance. Take note of age restrictions as they are put in place by professionals who know what is and is not suitable for your child to see.

Most parents get caught in the trap where you really want to watch a programme and spend time with your young one, don't let this be the case. If you cannot afford to have more than one television in the household let your children read books or play games that you have approved as an alternative.

Programmes that have explicit language, inappropriate visuals and violence are not programmes your child needs to be watching. You have the power to decide what you want your children to be exposed to in your home.

Parenting and video games

It’s a cliché, but more and more children seem to spend their time online, on their PCs, Play Stations, or Xboxes, playing some type of computer game.

The traditional view of this seems to be that children should be ejected from their seats, shown the garden, and instructed to play outside-because playing video games makes kids into anti social couch potatoes, with virtual war for brains.

A report published by the EU seems to contradict this-

Toine Manders, the Dutch liberal MEP who drafted the report, said: "Video games are in most cases not dangerous. We heard evidence from experts on computer games and psychologists from France, the US, Germany and the Netherlands and they told us that video games have a positive contribution to make to the education of minors."

The study called for schools to consider using games for educational purposes and urged parents to take a greater interest in them.

Video games and computers have a positive and negative effect on young minds. Anything in moderation is not a problem. Parents and children need to be able to decide how much gaming is permissible and what kind of gaming. Parents must teach their children what is good and what is bad. 

By: Katherine Alexander