Helping and Understanding Children with ADHD

ADHD is a difficult condition to treat and recognize, especially in children. Understanding child with adhd is something that is important in the grand scheme of treating it though, and knowing what a child is going through with that illness can greatly help with treatment and in the relationship with that child. The best way to learn how to help your or someone else’s child with ADHD is to find out what the symptoms are and what can amplify or soothe them. This understanding can also greatly help if you’re a teacher or are working in a similar profession that deals with children, as the condition is said to affect 51.1 million people. 

First, a look at the symptoms of ADHD is absolutely necessary. The most notable symptoms are patterns of impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention. Impulsivity can be defended as a person making quick decisions without much thought, which can lead into situations where consequences aren’t thought of and in extreme cases, cause harm. One way to solve this issue is to ask a person and/or child who’s affected by this condition if they’re sure of this decision or if they want to think it through more. Hyperactivity can be seen as a child constantly moving around and fidgeting, which can develop into restlessness when they become adults. There isn’t a clear-cut solution to this other than medical treatment, whether it be through medication or therapy. Lastly, the most easily defined symptom, inattention, which can be perceived as a child not sticking to a task, wandering off in conversations and just a general difficulty of maintaining focus. Additional explanations or ensuring a child’s focus can be a good solution, but generally medication or therapy is the best option for treating this symptom as well. 

Next, to explore treatment options for children with ADHD, as these can be a key point in both helping and understanding them. The most popular treatment of ADHD utilizes medications like Adderall and Ritalin, which are stimulants that can boost attention and thinking by increasing the chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. This treatment is generally safe, but if these medications are taken beyond their prescribed dose, they can cause seizures, heart disease, high blood pressure and anxiety, so it’s incredibly important to be sure they’re taken as prescribed; Some antidepressants are also noted to help with ADHD. Psychotherapy can also be extremely beneficial to children with ADHD as it can encourage the child to monitor their behavior and give them motivation to complete tasks they generally struggle with. These treatments focus on noting and monitoring good and bad behavior as well as the therapist teaching the child to give themselves a “pat on the back” when they act in a desired way. Adults can greatly contribute to this treatment by giving the child constructive feedback on the way they act and set clear boundaries, rules and structure in general to assist the child in focusing. Family therapy can also help greatly in helping the child and their parents understand each other.