What is ADHD? How is it diagnosed? The best way to manage it?

132

ADHD is a condition known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, that impacts a young child’s behavior and development. Children with ADHD are impulsive and energetic and have trouble concentrating (they are quickly distracted).

Many ADHD kids report they don’t know why they sometimes feel out of control or lonely. The specific cause of ADHD is tough to determine.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects children (ADHD).

ADHD is a ‘neurodevelopmental’ (brain development) illness that can impact a variety of brain functions. It’s not a symptom of a sluggish mind. People with ADHD can be successfully aided in overcoming their issues with the right awareness, care, and medical treatment.

ADHD kids have trouble with:

• inattention – difficulty concentrating, forgetting instructions, jumping from one activity to the next without finishing it

• impulsivity – for example, talking over others or having a short fuse

• being accident-prone

• overactivity – constant restlessness and fidgeting

• emotional regulation

• social navigation

• sleep.

Although all young children have a short attention span and occasionally act without thinking, only a small percentage of these youngsters develop ADHD.

Diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Consult your doctor if you have any concerns about your child’s health. They can recommend your child to a pediatrician (a doctor who specializes in child and adolescent health), a child psychologist, or a child psychiatrist who can assess him or her.

Only after a thorough examination can a doctor diagnose ADHD. They must gather a variety of facts about the child, particularly from parents or caregivers as well as the child’s school. To be diagnosed with ADHD, the symptoms must be present in most areas of the child’s life.

A history of the child’s behavior, any trauma or illness they have had, and their relationships and family can all be part of the examination.

When diagnosing ADHD, doctors and psychologists use a range of tests, scales, and criteria.

Inattention as a criterion for diagnosing ADHD

Typically, a child with inattention signs will:

• not pay close attention to details in schoolwork or other chores, or make careless mistakes

• have trouble retaining attention throughout jobs or games

• He does not appear to listen when spoken to directly.

• not carrying out directions

• not completing schoolwork, chores, or other responsibilities (but not because they are being wilful or do not understand instructions)

• having a hard time keeping track of chores and activities

• Avoid, detest, or refuse to accomplish jobs that require sustained mental effort (such as school work or homework)

• Items required for jobs or activities are misplaced (such as toys, school assignments, pencils, books, or tools)

• easy to be distracted

• In daily activities, be forgetful.

The inattention part of ADHD can be diagnosed if a kid has six or more of these symptoms of inattention for at least six months (to a degree that interferes with their daily lives and is inconsistent with their age-appropriate developmental level).

ADHD is diagnosed using hyperactivity-impulsivity criteria.

A child with hyperactive signs is likely to:

leave their seat in the classroom or other circumstances when remaining sat is expected to fidget with their hands or feet or squirm in their seat run around or climb excessively in unsuitable situations

having a hard time playing or participating in leisure activities Be ‘on the move’ or act as though ‘propelled by a motor’ and talk more than the typical person.

Symptoms of impulsivity in children include:

answer before all of the questions has trouble waiting, in turn, to disrupt or intrude on others (for example, interrupting conversations or games).

A kid diagnosed with the hyperactivity-impulsivity part of ADHD may have six or more of these symptoms for at least six months (to a degree that interferes with daily life and is inconsistent with a child their age’s normal developmental level).

Other diagnostic criteria for ADHD

some hyperactive-impulsive or inattentive symptoms that caused impairment before the child turned seven years old impairment from the symptoms in two or more settings, such as at school and at home symptoms that cannot be explained by another disorder impairment from the symptoms in two or more settings, such as at school and home (such as mood disorder, anxiety disorder, trauma, dissociative disorder or a personality disorder).

ADHD has several different types.

A health practitioner can assess the type of ADHD a child has based on the aforementioned factors.

ADHD comes in a variety of forms, including:

• If the child has met the criteria for both inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity in the previous six months, they have ADHD mixed type.
• It is primarily an inattentive type – if the child has met the requirements for inattention for the past six months but not the criteria for hyperactivity-impulsivity.
• If the kid has met the criterion for hyperactivity-impulsivity but not the criteria for inattention in the previous six months, he or she has ADHD of the mainly hyperactive-impulsive kind.

ADHD’s Causes

It’s impossible to pinpoint the exact source of ADHD. ADHD is thought to be an inherited neurodevelopmental condition, according to popular belief. Factors that may play a role include:

• Differences in brain structure, electrical activity, and metabolism are all part of neurophysiology.
• Drugs – the child’s mother used nicotine or cocaine during pregnancy lead – persistent exposure to low amounts of the metal lead may alter behavior and brain chemistry, according to some research.
• Lack of early attachment — if a newborn does not bond with his or her parent or caregiver, or has painful attachment experiences, this can lead to inattention and hyperactivity.

Taking care of an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – child (ADHD)

Taking care of an ADHD child can be challenging. In a variety of ways, you can help your child learn and develop while simultaneously lowering family stress.

Assist the child’s caregivers in maintaining a consistent approach and working as a team to support one another. Breaks should be taken frequently, as it is important to take a break from the rigors of caring for a child with ADHD.

It would be beneficial if you:

• Establish regular routines at home and school.

• Keep regulations basic and clear, and calmly deliver reminders.

• Make personal contact with the youngster and ensure that you have the child’s undivided attention when speaking.

• Give only one or two directions at a time to your child.

• Request that they repeat the lesson to ensure that they comprehended it.

• When your child is acting well, praise them and recognize their accomplishments.

Make your expectations for behavior that you find unacceptable very clear. Use ‘time out’ (for children aged 18 months to six years) or logical consequences, for example (for older children).

How to manage ADHD?

There are a few things you may do to aid your child with ADHD symptoms.

These are some of them:

Medicine – Stimulant drugs are the most popular type of ADHD treatment. They can help your child and other family members reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity while also improving their ability to focus, work, and learn using psychotherapies such as behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy counseling.

CONCLUSION

Parents and caregivers of children with ADHD might find the following helpful:

Parenting skills training teaches families how to encourage and reward positive behavior in their children, as well as stress management techniques and participation in a support group.