Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition in which children cannot control their activity or emotions. Children with this disorder also find it difficult to concentrate on any one thing. It can have its origins in childhood, which can persist in people into adolescence or adulthood. According to experts, this disorder cannot be treated until the child is 4 years old. Because every child is different. Agility is more active in children during childhood. So it is really difficult to understand whether your child’s excessive restlessness or restlessness is due to age or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. But it is not impossible. The matter should become clear to you only when your child is a little older.
Symptoms of ADHD:
ADHD symptoms can vary from child to child. Experts have divided it into three special forms-
1. Inattentive ADHD (formerly known as ADD),
2. Hyperactive Impulsive ADHD and
3. Combined ADHD (ie the child will have both Inattentive and Hyperactive Impulsive symptoms).
Symptoms of Impulsive ADHD:
1. Children with this disorder tend to daydream more. They lose focus in no time.
2. They have trouble understanding instruction.
3. They are very messy in nature.
4. Sometimes things get lost.
5. Being of a very forgetful nature.
6. It is necessary to shake the head not to want to do such work later.
7. Inability to understand information quickly and accurately.
8. Answering hastily before asking the full question.
9. Lack of patience.
10. Not being able to stand in line or wait your turn.
11. Act without thinking.
12. Not being able to hold back your emotions.
13. Obstructing others.
Symptoms of Hyperactivity:
1. Children with ADHD can never sit still, meaning they are always scrambling to do something.
2. Tendency to talk too much.
3. A lot of shouting while playing.
4. Suddenly doing something he shouldn’t at inappropriate times.
Your baby may have many of the symptoms described above. So don’t worry that your child has ADHD. But yes, if you think he is showing these symptoms a little more than other kids his age, ask the doctor if there is another problem that could be causing the ADHD? yes These symptoms can occur in children if they have hearing or vision problems, learning disabilities or any stress.
There can be any number of reasons why children develop ADHD. Some researchers say it is genetic. According to them, if one child has ADHD in the family, the next sibling has a 20% to 25% chance of having it. According to some researchers, it may be caused by some genetic problems in children. If the brain tissue in children is thinned, it can cause attention problems in children. But this tissue problem in children’s brain is not permanent. As he grows, the tissues thicken and the symptoms of the disease gradually disappear. Research has shown that food preservatives or food coloring increase the likelihood of children developing ADHD. Also, the mother’s cigarette or drug use during pregnancy increases the child’s chance of developing ADHD.
How can ADHD be prevented?
Some methods can be adopted to control ADHD in children —
Anything that harms the foetus should be avoided during labour. Alcohol, smoking and all drugs that are dangerous during pregnancy should be avoided.
Children should be kept away from all toxic substances and pollution. Children should be protected from cigarette smoke and toxic fumes of paint.
Controlling screen time, although not completely proven, should keep children away from watching TV and playing video games as much as possible, especially in the first five years of life.
ADHD diagnosis and treatment
Early diagnosis and treatment are usually necessary if ADHD presents in children before age 12 with severe problems and impairment in school and academic performance. Sometimes very young children have ADHD-like symptoms, but they are developmental disorders, such as delayed speech, inability to speak clearly, etc. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a psychologist, psychiatrist, speech pathologist or developmental paediatrician to diagnose such symptoms in preschool children. The methods used to treat ADHD in children are:
Medication, behaviour therapy, counselling, education therapy
Stimulant Medication: At present this type of psychostimulant medication is being specially used. These drugs regulate and stimulate neurotransmitters in the brain. As a result, symptoms are minimal and often start to produce results in a very short period of time.
The adverse effects of stimulant medication can be seen in :
1. Heart problem
2. Psychiatric problems
A parent should be responsible for ADHD medication in children and teenagers. Medicines cannot be entrusted to them.
Medicines should be stored out of the reach of children.
Children may not be sent to school with ADHD medication.
New medical devices
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a prescription-only device called the Monarch External Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (eTNS) System for children ages 7–12 who are not taking other ADHD medications. It’s about the size of a cell phone and must be used under parental supervision, placed on the child’s forehead while they sleep. Through this, a very low level of electrical stimulation is sent to the part of the brain that controls behaviour, emotions, etc.
Life changing
1. The child should be given enough love, care, encouragement and importance.
2. You have to give yourself to increase the self-esteem of the child
3. Keeping the child away from situations that may cause problems
4. Daily eating and sleeping time
5. Encourage social interaction
6. Telling stories about school events and classes
7. Maintain regular contact with the child’s teacher
Author Sradhanjali Dasgupta
Consultant Psychologist, Speaker , Learning Developmental Coach, Teacher and trainer Miss. Sradhanjali Dasgupta has been extensively working in the field of Counselling and education for the past few years in several Clinics, Hospitals, NGOs and educational sectors. She also contributes her writings and blogs in various newspapers, magazines and e- magazines Her training and workshops are both for the corporate as well as for the educational sector and are geared up for learning and development,upgradation and capacity building. She have actively taken part in many debates
