As the school year is slowly kicking in, children are returning, the subject of behavioral disorders in children is something we all have to be aware of. And especially ADHD, since it’s one of the most frequently diagnosable ones, not only in children but in adults as well.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often continues into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. Parents who have ADHD children, have to know certain things and understand that these children, even though often assumed, do not intend to cause harm and make others mad. They simply cannot function as the other kids in class.
That is why many adolescents with ADHD may struggle with low self-esteem, distressed relationships, and weak performance in school. They get into this circle to please others, yet they cannot fulfill their expectations. In fact, some people never completely outgrow their ADHD symptoms.
We are taught to judge and create our opinions about someone based on how they perform at school. This is something that has been going on for ages. Such behavior, however, is hazardous to parents’ and children’s relationships, a child’s confidence, and many different puberty factors he or she is going to face later.
School is built the way that children have to obey, there are specific rules, structure, and let’s not forget about the fact you have to sit all day, listen, and keep quiet. That could be quite a challenge for all children, but for an ADHD child, it’s extremely hard to keep their attention focused. This results in them talking, joking around, talking with others, and such. Of course, the teachers understand this as an act of disrespect and an intention to rebel. This kind of misunderstanding could cause a lot of stress and unpleasant feelings in all parties: child, parents and the teacher. However, there are some things and information to help us understand ADHD children and help them both feel and perform better in school.
How can I help?
First, yet the most simple step is understanding they are different. Their brain functions differently. They think differently. If you ditch your expectations for them, it becomes a lot easier to find common ground.
Help them by explaining the condition and how they have to be aware of it. You could even read a book together with them, explore different strategies about concentration. Just help them understand themselves better and do not hide this from them, as it could create an even bigger alienation with themselves later in life.
Explore such possibilities as medication. Even though drug prescription sounds extreme, these days there are many different ones, which makes it much more possible to find the right fit. This is the place, though, where you’d have to find a professional, knowledgeable doctor to guide you and help you when difficulties are faced. And more importantly, this is something to try only if the child is aware he is taking medicine and consents.