Increasingly, we hear on the street, on TV, 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 transitional age. Others, on the contrary, begin to panic and, in addition to the child's over-activity, they come up with dozens of other diseases. Let's try to understand in more detail what it is, what is its danger and how to deal with it. Read more about the characteristics 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 given a definition - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
In other words, hyperactivity is a condition in which the excitability, energy, impulsivity of the child is much higher than the establishednorms. Such 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, and in a moment he is interested in a completely different one, then a third, a fourth. Also, children with this syndrome are never able to complete what they started.
Main signs of ADHD
One of the clear signs of a hyperactive child is a lack of coordination of movements, poorly formed fine motor skills. Most often this is expressed in clumsiness, uncertainty in movements. In simple words, children cannot perform elementary 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 hyperactive child:
- carelessness and negligence - cannot keep attention to details, makes many mistakes;
- restlessness - during class, without explanation, can get up and leave;
- sleep problems - often rolls over, crumples sheets;
- tearfulness - causeless sobbing, screaming, falling into tantrums;
- ignoring any rules of conduct - interrupting, interfering in someone else's conversation or game;
- first delayed speech development, then excessive talkativeness;
- confusion - things are often lost, the child does not remember where he put them;
- impatience - cannot wait in line, answers without listening to the end of the question;
- restless and jerky movements of the hands, feet.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of signs of hyperactivity. There are other indicators that psychologists or other competent doctors already recognize. An overactive child should have at least six of the above differences within 1-2 years. Only then can it be assumed 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 during the mother's pregnancy. These adverse factors include the following: severe and prolonged toxicosis, oxygen starvation of the fetus, the threat of abortion, bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol) of a pregnant woman.
It is not uncommon for the roots of ADHD to begin already during childbirth: prematurity of the baby, artificial induction of labor, prolonged or, conversely, rapid labor.
It happens that the syndrome appears due to other circumstances: head injuries, neurological diseases, including infectious ones, negative microclimate in the family, excessive severity of parents.
It is impossible to exclude such a factor as heredity.
Hyperactive child - normal or disease?
The most important thing is to be able to distinguish between children who need treatment and those who don't. Manydoctors agreed that not every active, impulsive, restless and inattentive child needs psychotherapy.
The current generation is very different from the previous one. Therefore, you can not compare the actions of children with their own personal behavior. Or even, on the contrary, remember how you behaved at the age of 4-10 years. Probably, they didn’t sit at home with a newspaper, didn’t cook soup, didn’t count utility bills? It may just be that you are afraid of ordinary childish 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. Connect with caregivers and teachers. Let them tell you how the child behaves outside the home. Observe your child's behavior in the company of 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 caregivers complain about their 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 a child to cope with his hyperactivity if his mother and father help him in this. To do this, psychologists highlight a number of recommendations for parents of a hyperactive child.baby:
- Learn to establish contact with the child. If he does not want to respond to the words addressed to him, then touch. When communication interferes with surrounding objects - remove them.
- Children with ADHD practically always ignore reprimands and reproaches. But they are very sensitive to praise. Therefore, you should always note his behavior, praise him when he deserves it, stimulate those activities that require concentration. In general, the relationship with the child should be harmonious and positive. Hug him often, kiss him, play games with him.
- You need to plan a day regimen that the child will maintain both on weekdays and on weekends. Then it will be much easier for him to adapt.
- We need to create specific rules of conduct. They should be clear and understandable, and most importantly, doable. For example, a child must clean up his toys. He must understand that only those he plays with. He also needs to know exactly where to clean them, and that this should always be done.
- You can't put a task in front of a hyperactive child that he can't complete. The requirements for him must correspond to his abilities. Even if the result was not 100%, still praise him for his efforts and performance.
- Children with ADHD always have qualities they are best at. For example, a child excels at picking up puzzles or building blocks, likes to pour houseplants or feed a cat. In this way he gets special pleasure. In such cases, let him always do it himself. You should praise him for his work.
- Be sure to create opportunities for your child to spend excess energy: sports, outdoor games or long walks. This is especially important before bed.
- Establish sleep patterns. Such children should go to bed and wake up at about the same time. Thanks to this, sleep will be calmer, and the child will be able to sleep. Otherwise, he will lose self-control, and after dinner he may become uncontrollable.
- With a hyperactive child, you can’t be in too crowded places for a long time: a market, a shopping center, a beach. As a rule, in such an environment, he is overly excited and overtired. Which leads to excessive motor activity.
- It is necessary to teach such a child to control himself, to develop in him a conscious piece of inhibition. For example, before doing something, he must count to 10.
- Create a calm environment at home so that nothing distracts his attention. Remove unnecessary items, furnish the room with furniture in plain pastel colors. Aggression should not be shown anywhere.
- Children with hyperactivity syndrome should not be ordered or threatened with something. Your desire should come in the form of a request, an explanation. They need to see their parents as friends and supporters.
How to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
Some experts in the field believe that if a child has at least six of all the signs of ADHD, then he definitely tolerates this disease. But it's not. Confirm or refute the presence of hyperactivity in a child can onlyexperienced neuropsychiatrist. To do this, he conducts a number of tests and other tasks, directly observes the child for a long time. If symptoms are confirmed, then treatment begins.
ADHD treatment is carried out simultaneously by several methods. It is aimed at correcting the disturbed functions of the child's nervous system and at normal adaptation in society. Basically, they are divided into two methods of treatment: drug and non-drug. 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. Both specialists and parents should work with hyperactive children.
If a child already goes to school, then a psychologist must work with him. In the classroom, 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.
It is mandatory to conduct psychotherapeutic work with parents of hyperactive children. They must learn to be more patient with their child's behavior. For his sake, change your usual daily routine, spend more time with him, evaluate efforts more often, praise and hug.
What should parents of a hyperactive child do? It is necessary to teach him to direct excessive energy in the right direction. Find all kinds of activities that will be both useful and interesting to him: cycling, outdoor games,walks in the woods, swimming, skiing and the like.
A psychologist will be able to suggest how to properly reduce the aggressiveness of a child, 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, almost 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
Hyperactivity medication therapy
This method of treatment is used either in combination with the previous one, or in the case when the psychotherapeutic approach had no results. Basically, they prescribe the use of tranquilizers, antidepressants, nootropics at the rate. Experts identified the two most effective drugs: the amphetamine Ritalin and the antidepressant Amitriptyline. Any of these drugs can only be prescribed by an experienced doctor. The dosage depends on the age, weight and general condition of the child.
All drugs of the above groups have the following therapeutic effects:
- decrease in the level of excitability, impulsivity to surrounding stimuli;
- improving the coordination of the motor apparatus, as well as fine motor skills of the hands;
- increase concentration;
- develop learning abilities;
- increased performance;
- children's activities and behavior become moreorganized and focused.
Some specialists, mainly in Western Europe, practice the treatment of ADHD with the help of psychostimulants. However, their use may be accompanied by side effects: insomnia, headache.
The choice of the necessary drug depends on which characteristic of the syndrome comes first in the child. If distracted attention, then appoint "Cortexin", "Encephabol", "Gliatilin"; if disinhibition and excessive activity - "Phenibut" and "Pantogam".
Danger of hyperactivity
What is the danger of a child's hyperactivity? The danger is that when the child is still small, he may be injured due to his mobility. Therefore, everything in the house should always be in its place, sharp and cutting objects are hidden in cabinets and on shelves. Such children are required to walk under the supervision of adults. To travel in a car, you must have a car 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 regime, listen to the teacher, sit for a while without moving. As a rule, already at this stage, many parents begin to suspect hyperactivity in a child.
But most of all ADHD disturbs children already at school. They do not adapt well, they cannot perceive the school curriculum, they do not adhere to the rules existing there, theylearn poorly and interfere with others. If at home these are the problems of parents, then at school - teachers.
In our time, there is enough literature where you can read about how to help a hyperactive child study. But practically in all sources much is written and too abstruse. We will highlight 6 basic rules that will really help such children.
Key tips to help kids with ADHD learn
Key tips for hyperactive kids and their parents are:
- Mode should be in everything. This does not mean that every minute is scheduled. On the contrary, the child should have enough free time to allocate part of it for homework. The regime is more about sleep and rest. 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 lunchtime nap. A daily walk, outdoor games and some household chores are essential.
- 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 become overly aroused by the experience of losing, which can lead to aggressive impulsivity. Sports are useful, where the process is important, and the loads alternate with rest.
- Rhythm in everyday life. A hyperactive child is quite fast in movement, but slow in thought. This slowness arises from the so-called "torn contact" -the impulses of thought do not keep pace with the impulses of action. Therefore, you need to teach him to notice the rhythm in any activity - games, studies, daily work.
- Adequate perception of grades at school. It is necessary that the child understands that the received assessment or remark 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 as children get older. Therefore, it is necessary 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 looked at the causes, signs and treatment of a hyperactive child. Finally, I would like to say that there are a lot of pluses in a person's hyperactivity. The main thing is to adapt in time in society and be able to properly handle their features. Hyperactive people think quite quickly, easily switch from one type of activity to another, quickly move away from fatigue. It is these people who often occupy leadership positions. No need to make this disease a disaster, on the contrary, get as many positive things out of it as possible.
