Chic & Health

Sponsored Links

ADD and ADHD are two abbreviated terms that refer to children affected by particular behavioural problems. ADD means Attention Deficit Disorder while ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. Children are diagnosed with these conditions when they exhibit unusually difficult behaviour at home and at school. ADD/ADHD is believed to affect up to 5% of school aged children and is more prevalent in boys than in girls.

Some children are rather more ADHD than ADD. Their behaviour is characterised by extreme hyperactivity. They are often described as a ‘handful’. They are physically very energetic and move from one situation to the other quickly. These children do not seem to respond to reprimands for very long and they have a limited sense of danger. Whenever these children are out in public places it is often necessary to keep a firm grasp on them as they are liable to get into accidents.

Some children are not necessarily hyper and can exhibit symptoms seem rather lethargic. They may seem somewhat dreamy and unresponsive. Children may have a short attention span and will not sit for long doing one thing. Rather than jump about however, they may just slip into a world of their own or appear aimless in their movements. Children who behave like this may be ADD but it is quite common for ADD/ADHD children to display a combination of both kinds of behaviour.

It can be very difficult for ADD/ADHD children to establish bonds with other children. Parents can try to help them by joining in their play as much as possible and trying to avert things going wrong. Other children may not like the ADD/ADHD child very much if their behaviour is intimidating. Loudness and aggressiveness can scare off some children. Other children do not understand when a child is overly introverted or seems disinterested in most things. They will get bored of such a child quickly or dismiss them easily. Without peer group interactions the ADD/ADHD child may have problems in developing some social skills.

ADD/ADHD children can miss out on valuable training in social skills in the home environment if they are constantly being reminded of how naughty they are. Parents should avoid getting into negative cycles with the children even though their behaviour is nearly always difficult. ADD/ADHD children can learn that they are capable of good behaviour too. It is important that the parent sets clear boundaries and deals with the child’s behaviour in a structured way.

There is no established scientific cause for ADD/ADHD in children. There is a selection of plausible possibilities that could be at the root of the problem. For example, origins could be during the child’s gestational development. If mothers smoked or were taking street drugs during their pregnancies, they tend to give birth to more children with the condition. The problem could also be hereditary since it has been noted that children with the condition tend to have relatives with it also. There could also be problems in the brain that affect the child’s ability to concentrate or take control of their actions.

All children misbehave sometimes. This is a normal part of their development as they test the boundaries of life. Some children are hyperactive particularly after eating certain foods and some are shy and quiet. None of these mean that a child is ADD/ADHD. Extreme and persistent behaviour are the warning signs that parents should heed and consult a professional for advice.

ADD and ADHD are treated by a combination of medications and behavioural therapy. Early diagnosis is very important because with proper management, children are able to conduct a relatively normal life at school. If left untreated ADD/ADHD tends to worsen as the child grows older. If you are concerned that your child might be affected by ADD/ADHD do not be afraid to go for help.