Lack of attention and hyperactivity syndrome. What is ADHD: symptoms, treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in preschool and school-age children

or ADHD is the most common cause of behavior disorders and learning problems in preschool and school children.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child– a developmental disorder manifested in behavioral disturbances. A child with ADHD is restless, displays “stupid” activity, cannot sit through classes at school or kindergarten, and will not do anything that is not interesting to him. He interrupts his elders, plays in class, minds his own business, and can crawl under the desk. At the same time, the child correctly perceives his surroundings. He hears and understands all the instructions of his elders, but cannot follow their instructions due to impulsiveness. Despite the fact that the child understands the task, he cannot complete what he started and is unable to plan and foresee the consequences of his actions. This is associated with a high risk of getting injured at home and getting lost.

Neurologists consider attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child as a neurological disease. Its manifestations are not the result of improper upbringing, neglect or permissiveness, they are a consequence of the special functioning of the brain.

Prevalence. ADHD is found in 3-5% of children. Of these, 30% “outgrow” the disease after 14 years, another 40% adapt to it and learn to smooth out its manifestations. Among adults, this syndrome is found in only 1%.

Boys are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder 3-5 times more often than girls. Moreover, in boys the syndrome is more often manifested by destructive behavior (disobedience and aggression), and in girls by inattention. According to some studies, fair-haired and blue-eyed Europeans are more susceptible to the disease. Interestingly, the incidence rate varies significantly from country to country. Thus, studies conducted in London and Tennessee found ADHD in 17% of children.

Types of ADHD

Attention deficit and hyperactivity are expressed equally;
Attention deficit predominates, and impulsivity and hyperactivity are minor;
Hyperactivity and impulsiveness predominate, attention is slightly impaired.

Treatment. The main methods are pedagogical measures and psychological correction. Drug treatment is used in cases where other methods have been ineffective because the drugs used have side effects.
If you leave your child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Without treatment, the risk of developing:

dependence on alcohol, drugs, psychotropic drugs;
difficulties with assimilation of information that disrupt the learning process;
high anxiety, which replaces physical activity;
Tics – repeated muscle twitching.
headaches;
antisocial changes - a tendency to hooliganism, theft.

Controversial points. A number of leading experts in the field of medicine and public organizations, including the Citizens Commission on Human Rights, deny the existence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children. From their point of view, manifestations of ADHD are considered a feature of temperament and character, and therefore cannot be treated. They can be a manifestation of the natural mobility and curiosity of an active child, or protest behavior that occurs in response to a traumatic situation - abuse, loneliness, divorce of parents.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child, causes

The cause of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child cannot be installed. Scientists are convinced that the disease is provoked by a combination of several factors that disrupt the functioning of the nervous system.

Factors that disrupt the formation of the nervous system in the fetus which can lead to oxygen starvation or hemorrhage in the brain tissue:

environmental pollution, high content of harmful substances in air, water, food;
taking medications by a woman during pregnancy;
exposure to alcohol, drugs, nicotine;
infections suffered by the mother during pregnancy;
Rh factor conflict – immunological incompatibility;
risk of miscarriage ;
fetal asphyxia;
umbilical cord entanglement;
complicated or rapid labor leading to injury to the head or spine of the fetus.

Factors that disrupt brain function in infancy

diseases accompanied by a temperature above 39-40 degrees;
taking certain medications that have a neurotoxic effect;
bronchial asthma, pneumonia;
severe kidney disease;
heart failure, heart disease.

Genetic factors. According to this theory, 80% of cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are associated with disorders in the gene that regulates the release of dopamine and the functioning of dopamine receptors. The result is a disruption in the transmission of bioelectrical impulses between brain cells. Moreover, the disease manifests itself if, in addition to genetic abnormalities, there are unfavorable environmental factors.

Neurologists believe that these factors can cause damage in limited areas of the brain. In this regard, some mental functions (for example, volitional control over impulses and emotions) develop inconsistently, with a delay, which causes manifestations of the disease. This confirms the fact that children with ADHD showed disturbances in metabolic processes and bioelectrical activity in the anterior parts of the frontal lobes of the brain.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child, symptoms

A child with ADHD equally exhibits hyperactivity and inattention at home, in kindergarten, and when visiting strangers. There are no situations in which the baby would behave calmly. This differs him from an ordinary active child.

Signs of ADHD at an early age

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child, symptoms which most clearly manifests itself at 5-12 years of age, can be recognized at an earlier age.

They begin to hold their heads up, sit, crawl, and walk early.
They experience problems falling asleep and sleep less than normal.
If they get tired, do not engage in a calm activity, do not fall asleep on their own, but become hysterical.
Very sensitive to loud sounds, bright lights, strangers, and changes in environment. These factors cause them to cry loudly.
They throw away toys before they even have time to look at them.

Such signs may indicate a tendency towards ADHD, but they are also present in many restless children under 3 years of age.
ADHD also affects the functioning of the body. The child often experiences digestive problems. Diarrhea is the result of excessive stimulation of the intestines by the autonomic nervous system. Allergic reactions and skin rashes appear more often than among peers.

Main symptoms

Attention disorder

R The child has difficulty concentrating on one subject or activity. He does not pay attention to details, unable to distinguish the main from the secondary. The child tries to do all the things at the same time: he colors all the details without completing them, reads the text, skipping over a line. This happens because he does not know how to plan. When doing tasks together, explain: “First we’ll do one thing, then the other.”
The child tries to avoid routine tasks under any pretext., lessons, creativity. This could be a quiet protest when the child runs away and hides, or a hysteria with screaming and tears.
The cyclical nature of attention is pronounced. A preschooler can do one thing for 3-5 minutes, a child of primary school age for up to 10 minutes. Then, over the same period, the nervous system restores the resource. Often at this time it seems that the child does not hear the speech addressed to him. Then the cycle repeats.
Attention can only be concentrated if you are left alone with the child. The child is more attentive and obedient if the room is quiet and there are no irritants, toys, or other people.

Hyperactivity

The child makes a large number of inappropriate movements, most of which he doesn't notice. A distinctive feature of motor activity in ADHD is its aimlessness. This could be spinning the hands and feet, running, jumping, or tapping on the table or floor. The child runs, not walks. Climbing on furniture . Breaks toys.
Talks too loudly and fast. He answers without listening to the question. Shouts out the answer, interrupting the person answering. He speaks in unfinished sentences, jumping from one thought to another. Swallows the endings of words and sentences. Constantly asks again. His statements are often thoughtless, they provoke and offend others.
Facial expressions are very expressive. The face expresses emotions that quickly appear and disappear - anger, surprise, joy. Sometimes he grimaces for no apparent reason.

It has been found that in children with ADHD, physical activity stimulates the brain structures responsible for thinking and self-control. That is, while the child runs, knocks and takes things apart, his brain is improving. New neural connections are established in the cortex, which will further improve the functioning of the nervous system and relieve the child from the manifestations of the disease.

Impulsiveness

Guided solely by his own desires and carries them out immediately. Acts on the first impulse, without thinking through the consequences and without planning. There are no situations for a child in which he must sit still. During classes in kindergarten or at school, he jumps up and runs to the window, into the corridor, makes noise, shouts from his seat. Takes the thing he likes from his peers.
Cannot follow instructions, especially those consisting of several points. The child constantly has new desires (impulses), which prevent him from finishing the job he has started (doing homework, collecting toys).
Unable to wait or endure. He must immediately get or do what he wants. If this does not happen, he makes a scandal, switches to other things, or performs aimless actions. This is clearly noticeable in class or while waiting for your turn.
Mood swings happen every few minutes. The child goes from laughing to crying. Hot temper is especially common in children with ADHD. When angry, the child throws objects, can start a fight or ruin the offender’s things. He will do it right away, without thinking or hatching a plan for revenge.
The child does not feel danger. He can do things that are dangerous to health and life: climb to a height, walk through abandoned buildings, go out on thin ice because he wanted to do it. This property leads to high rates of injury in children with ADHD.

Manifestations of the disease are due to the fact that the nervous system of a child with ADHD is too vulnerable. She is unable to cope with the large amount of information coming from the outside world. Excessive activity and lack of attention is an attempt to protect yourself from the unbearable load on the nervous system.

Additional symptoms

Difficulties in learning with a normal level of intelligence. The child may have difficulty writing and reading. At the same time, he does not perceive individual letters and sounds or does not fully master this skill. The inability to learn arithmetic can be an independent disorder or accompany problems with reading and writing.
Communication disorders. A child with ADHD may be obsessive towards peers and unfamiliar adults. He may be too emotional or even aggressive, which makes it difficult to communicate and establish friendly contacts.
Lag in emotional development. The child behaves excessively capriciously and emotionally. He does not tolerate criticism, failures, and behaves unbalanced and “childish.” A pattern has been established that with ADHD there is a 30% lag in emotional development. For example, a 10-year-old child behaves like a 7-year-old, although he is intellectually developed no worse than his peers.
Negative self-esteem. A child hears a huge number of comments per day. If at the same time he is also compared with his peers: “Look how well Masha behaves!” this makes the situation worse. Criticism and complaints convince the child that he is worse than others, bad, stupid, restless. This makes the child unhappy, distant, aggressive, and instills hatred towards others.

Manifestations of attention deficit disorder are associated with the fact that the child’s nervous system is too vulnerable. She is unable to cope with the large amount of information coming from the outside world. Excessive activity and lack of attention is an attempt to protect yourself from the unbearable load on the nervous system.

Positive qualities of children with ADHD

Active, active;
Easily read the mood of the interlocutor;
Willing to sacrifice themselves for the people they like;
Not vindictive, unable to harbor a grudge;
They are fearless and do not have most childhood fears.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child, diagnosis

Diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder may include several stages:

Collection of information - interview with the child, conversation with parents, diagnostic questionnaires.
Neuropsychological examination.
Pediatrician consultation.

As a rule, a neurologist or psychiatrist makes a diagnosis based on a conversation with the child, analyzing information from parents, caregivers and teachers.

Collection of information

The specialist receives most of the information during a conversation with the child and observing his behavior. The conversation with children takes place orally. When working with adolescents, the doctor may ask you to fill out a questionnaire that resembles a test. Information received from parents and teachers helps complete the picture.

Diagnostic questionnaire is a list of questions compiled in such a way as to collect the maximum amount of information about the behavior and mental state of the child. It usually takes the form of a multiple-choice test. To identify ADHD, the following are used:

Vanderbilt Adolescent ADHD Diagnostic Questionnaire. There are versions for parents and teachers.
Parental Symptom Questionnaire for ADHD Manifestations;
Conners Structured Questionnaire.

According to the international classification of diseases ICD-10 diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child diagnosed when the following symptoms are detected:

Adaptation disorder. Expressed as non-compliance with characteristics that are normal for this age;
Attention impairment, when the child cannot focus his attention on one object;
Impulsivity and hyperactivity;
Development of first symptoms before the age of 7 years;
Adaptation disorder manifests itself in various situations (in kindergarten, school, at home), while the child’s intellectual development corresponds to his age;
These symptoms persist for 6 months or more.

A doctor has the right to make a diagnosis of “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder” if at least 6 symptoms of inattention and at least 6 symptoms of impulsivity and hyperactivity are detected and followed for 6 months or more. These signs appear constantly, not from time to time. They are so pronounced that they interfere with the child’s learning and daily activities.

Signs of inattention

Doesn't pay attention to details. In his work he makes a large number of mistakes due to negligence and frivolity.
Easily distracted.
Has difficulty concentrating when playing and completing tasks.
Does not listen to speech addressed to him.
Unable to complete assignments or do homework. Cannot follow instructions.
Experiences difficulties in performing independent work. Needs guidance and supervision from an adult.
Resists completing tasks that require prolonged mental effort: homework, tasks from a teacher or psychologist. Avoids such work for various reasons and shows dissatisfaction.
Often loses things.
In everyday activities, he shows forgetfulness and absent-mindedness.

Signs of impulsivity and hyperactivity

Makes a large number of unnecessary movements. Cannot sit quietly in a chair. Spins, makes movements, feet, hands, head.
Cannot sit or remain still in situations where this is necessary - in class, at a concert, in transport.
Shows rash motor activity in situations where this is unacceptable. He gets up, runs, spins, takes things without asking, tries to climb somewhere.
Can't play calmly.
Excessively mobile.
Too talkative.
He answers without listening to the end of the question. Doesn't think before giving an answer.
Impatient. Has difficulty waiting his turn.
Disturbs others, pesters people. Interferes with play or conversation.

Strictly speaking, the diagnosis of ADHD is based on the subjective opinion of a specialist and his personal experience. Therefore, if the parents do not agree with the diagnosis, then it makes sense to contact another neurologist or psychiatrist who specializes in this problem.

Neuropsychological assessment for ADHD

In order to study the features of the brain, the child is given electroencephalographic examination (EEG). This is a measurement of the bioelectrical activity of the brain at rest or while performing tasks. To do this, the electrical activity of the brain is measured through the scalp. The procedure is painless and harmless.
For ADHD the beta rhythm is reduced and the theta rhythm is increased. The ratio of theta rhythm and beta rhythm several times higher than normal. This suggests that the bioelectrical activity of the brain is reduced, that is, a smaller number of electrical impulses are generated and transmitted through neurons compared to the norm.

Pediatrician consultation

Manifestations similar to ADHD can be caused by anemia, hyperthyroidism and other somatic diseases. A pediatrician can confirm or exclude them after a blood test for hormones and hemoglobin.
Note! As a rule, in addition to the diagnosis of ADHD, the neurologist indicates a number of diagnoses in the child’s medical record:

Minimal brain dysfunction(MMD) – mild neurological disorders that cause disturbances in motor functions, speech, and behavior;
Increased intracranial pressure(ICP) - increased pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is located in the ventricles of the brain, around it and in the spinal canal.
Perinatal CNS damage– damage to the nervous system that occurs during pregnancy, childbirth or in the first days of life.

All these disorders have similar manifestations, which is why they are often written together. Such an entry on the card does not mean that the child has a large number of neurological diseases. On the contrary, the changes are minimal and can be corrected.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child, treatment

Medication treatment for ADHD

Medications are prescribed according to individual indications only if the child’s behavior cannot be improved without them.

Group of drugs	Representatives	The effect of taking medications
Psychostimulants	Levamphetamine, Dexamphetamine, Dexmethylphenidate	The production of neurotransmitters increases, due to which the bioelectrical activity of the brain is normalized. Improves behavior, reduces impulsivity, aggressiveness, and symptoms of depression.
Antidepressants, norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors	Atomoxetine. Desipramine, Bupropion	Reduce the reuptake of neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin). Their accumulation in synapses improves the transmission of signals between brain cells. Increase attention and reduce impulsiveness.
Nootropic drugs	Cerebrolysin, Piracetam, Instenon, Gamma-aminobutyric acid	They improve metabolic processes in brain tissue, its nutrition and oxygen supply, and the absorption of glucose by the brain. Increases the tone of the cerebral cortex. The effectiveness of these drugs has not been proven.
Sympathomimetics	Clonidine, Atomoxetine, Desipramine	Increases cerebral vascular tone, improving blood circulation. Helps normalize intracranial pressure.

Treatment is carried out with low doses of drugs to minimize the risk of side effects and addiction. It has been proven that improvement occurs only while taking the drugs. After their withdrawal, symptoms reappear.

Physiotherapy and massage for ADHD

This set of procedures is aimed at treating birth injuries of the head, cervical spine, and relieving neck muscle spasms. This is necessary to normalize cerebral circulation and intracranial pressure. For ADHD the following are used:

Physiotherapy, aimed at strengthening the muscles of the neck and shoulder girdle. Must be performed daily.
Neck massage courses of 10 procedures 2-3 times a year.
Physiotherapy. Infrared irradiation (warming) of spasming muscles is used using infrared rays. Paraffin heating is also used. 15-20 procedures 2 times a year. These procedures go well with massage of the collar area.

Please note that these procedures can only be started after consultation with a neurologist and orthopedist.
You should not resort to the services of chiropractors. Treatment by an unqualified specialist, without prior x-raying of the spine, can cause serious injury.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a child, behavior correction

Biofeedback therapy (biofeedback method)

Biofeedback therapy– a modern treatment method that normalizes the bioelectrical activity of the brain, eliminating the cause of ADHD. It has been effectively used to treat the syndrome for more than 40 years.

The human brain generates electrical impulses. They are divided depending on the frequency of vibrations per second and the amplitude of vibrations. The main ones are: alpha, beta, gamma, delta and theta waves. In ADHD, the activity of beta waves (beta rhythm), which are associated with focusing attention, memory, and information processing, is reduced. At the same time, the activity of theta waves (theta rhythm) increases, which indicate emotional stress, fatigue, aggressiveness and imbalance. There is a version that the theta rhythm promotes the rapid assimilation of information and the development of creative potential.

The goal of biofeedback therapy is to normalize the bioelectrical oscillations of the brain - to stimulate the beta rhythm and reduce the theta rhythm to normal. For this purpose, a specially developed software and hardware complex “BOS-LAB” is used.
Sensors are attached to certain places on the child’s body. On the monitor, the child sees how his biorhythms behave and tries to change them at will. Also, biorhythms change during computer exercises. If the task is done correctly, a sound signal is heard or a picture appears, which are an element of feedback. The procedure is painless, interesting and well tolerated by the child.
The effect of the procedure is increased attention, decreased impulsivity and hyperactivity. Academic performance and relationships with others improve.

The course consists of 15-25 sessions. Progress is noticeable after 3-4 procedures. The effectiveness of treatment reaches 95%. The effect lasts for a long time, for 10 years or more. In some patients, biofeedback therapy completely eliminates the manifestations of the disease. Has no side effects.

Psychotherapeutic techniques

The effectiveness of psychotherapy is significant, but progress may take from 2 months to several years. The result can be improved by combining various psychotherapeutic techniques, pedagogical measures of parents and teachers, physiotherapeutic methods and adherence to a daily routine.

Cognitive-behavioral methods

The child, under the guidance of a psychologist, and then independently, forms various behavior patterns. In the future, the most constructive, “correct” ones are selected from them. At the same time, the psychologist helps the child understand his inner world, emotions and desires.
Classes are conducted in the form of a conversation or a game, where the child is offered various roles - a student, a buyer, a friend or an opponent in a dispute with peers. Children act out the situation. Then the child is asked to determine how each participant feels. Did he do the right thing?

Skills in managing anger and expressing your emotions in an acceptable manner. What do you feel? What do you want? Now say it politely. What we can do?
Constructive conflict resolution. The child is taught to negotiate, look for compromise, avoid quarrels or get out of them in a civilized manner. (If you don’t want to share, offer another toy. If you are not accepted into the game, come up with an interesting activity and offer it to others). It is important to teach a child to speak calmly, listen to the interlocutor, and clearly formulate what he wants.
Adequate ways of communicating with the teacher and with peers. As a rule, the child knows the rules of behavior, but does not comply with them due to impulsiveness. Under the guidance of a psychologist, the child improves communication skills through play.
Correct methods of behavior in public places - in kindergarten, in class, in a store, at a doctor’s appointment, etc. are mastered in the form of “theater”.

The effectiveness of the method is significant. The result appears after 2-4 months.

Play therapy

In the form of a game that is pleasant for the child, perseverance and attentiveness are formed, learning to control hyperactivity and increased emotionality.
The psychologist individually selects a set of games taking into account the symptoms of ADHD. At the same time, he can change their rules if it is too easy or difficult for the child.
At first, play therapy is carried out individually, then it can become group or family. Games can also be “homework”, or given by the teacher during a five-minute lesson.

Games to develop attention. Find 5 differences in the picture. Identify the smell. Identify the object by touch with your eyes closed. Broken phone.
Games to develop perseverance and combat disinhibition. Hide and seek. Silent. Sort items by color/size/shape.
Games to control motor activity. Throwing the ball at a given pace, which gradually increases. Siamese twins, when children in a pair, hugging each other around the waist, must perform tasks - clap their hands, run.
Games to relieve muscle tension and emotional tension. Aimed at the physical and emotional relaxation of the child. “Humpty Dumpty” for alternate relaxation of different muscle groups.
Games to develop memory and overcome impulsiveness."Speak!" - the presenter asks simple questions. But he can answer them only after the command “Speak!”, before which he pauses for a few seconds.
Computer games, which simultaneously develop perseverance, attention and restraint.

Art therapy

Practicing various types of art reduces fatigue and anxiety, relieves negative emotions, improves adaptation, allows you to realize talents and raise a child’s self-esteem. Helps develop internal control and perseverance, improves the relationship between the child and the parent or psychologist.

By interpreting the results of a child’s work, the psychologist gets an idea of his inner world, mental conflicts and problems.

Drawing colored pencils, finger paints or watercolors. Sheets of paper of different sizes are used. The child can choose the subject of the drawing himself or the psychologist can suggest a topic - “At school”, “My family”.
Sand therapy. You need a sandbox with clean, moistened sand and a set of various molds, including human figures, vehicles, houses, etc. The child decides for himself what exactly he wants to reproduce. Often he plays out plots that unconsciously bother him, but he cannot convey this to adults.
Modeling from clay or plasticine. The child makes figures from plasticine on a given topic - funny animals, my friend, my pet. Activities promote the development of fine motor skills and brain functions.
Listening to music and playing musical instruments. Rhythmic dance music is recommended for girls, and marching music for boys. Music relieves emotional stress, increases perseverance and attention.

The effectiveness of art therapy is average. It is an auxiliary method. Can be used to establish contact with a child or for relaxation.

Family therapy and work with teachers.

A psychologist informs adults about the developmental characteristics of a child with ADHD. Talks about effective methods of work, forms of influence on a child, how to create a system of rewards and sanctions, how to convey to the child the need to fulfill responsibilities and observe prohibitions. This allows you to reduce the number of conflicts and make training and education easier for all participants.
When working with a child, a psychologist draws up a psychocorrection program designed for several months. In the first sessions, he establishes contact with the child and conducts diagnostics to determine the extent of inattention, impulsiveness and aggressiveness. Taking into account individual characteristics, he draws up a correction program, gradually introducing various psychotherapeutic techniques and complicating the tasks. Therefore, parents should not expect drastic changes after the first meetings.

Pedagogical measures

Parents and teachers need to consider the cyclical nature of the brain in children with ADHD. On average, a child takes 7-10 minutes to absorb information, then the brain needs 3-7 minutes to recover and rest. This feature must be used in the learning process, doing homework and in any other activity. For example, give your child tasks that he can complete in 5-7 minutes.

Proper parenting is the main way to combat the symptoms of ADHD. Whether the child will “outgrow” this problem and how successful he or she will be in adulthood depends on the behavior of the parents.

Be patient, maintain self-control. Avoid criticism. The peculiarities in the child’s behavior are not his fault and not yours. Insults and physical violence are unacceptable.
Communicate expressively with your child. Showing emotions in facial expressions and voice will help keep his attention. For the same reason, it is important to look into the child's eyes.
Use physical contact. Hold hands, stroke, hug, use elements of massage when communicating with your child. It has a calming effect and helps you concentrate.
Ensure clear control over task completion. The child does not have sufficient willpower to complete what he started; he is very tempted to stop halfway. Knowing that an adult will supervise the completion of a task will help him complete the task. Will ensure discipline and self-control in the future.
Set feasible tasks for your child. If he doesn't cope with the task you set for him, then next time make it easier. If yesterday he didn’t have the patience to put away all the toys, then today you just ask him to put the blocks in a box.
Give your child a task in the form of short instructions.. Give one task at a time: “Brush your teeth.” When this is completed, ask to wash your face.
Take breaks of a few minutes between each activity. I collected my toys, rested for 5 minutes, and went to wash myself.
Do not forbid your child to be physically active during classes. If he waves his legs, twirls various objects in his hands, and shifts around the table, this improves his thought process. If you limit this small activity, the child’s brain will fall into a stupor and will not be able to perceive information.
Praise for every success. Do this one on one and with your family. The child has low self-esteem. He often hears how bad he is. Therefore, praise is vital for him. It encourages the child to be disciplined, to put even more effort and perseverance in completing tasks. It's good if the praise is visual. These could be chips, tokens, stickers, cards that the child can count at the end of the day. Change the “rewards” from time to time. Withdrawal of a reward is an effective method of punishment. It must follow immediately after the offense.
Be consistent in your demands. If you can’t watch TV for a long time, then don’t make an exception when you have guests or your mother is tired.
Warn your child what will happen next. It is difficult for him to interrupt activities that are interesting. Therefore, 5-10 minutes before the end of the game, warn him that he will soon finish playing and will collect toys.
Learn to plan. Together, make a list of things you need to do today, and then cross off what you do.
Create a daily routine and stick to it. This will teach the child to plan, manage his time and anticipate what will happen in the near future. This develops the functioning of the frontal lobes and creates a feeling of security.
Encourage your child to play sports. Martial arts, swimming, athletics, and cycling will be especially useful. They will direct the child’s activity in the right useful direction. Team sports (soccer, volleyball) can be challenging. Traumatic sports (judo, boxing) can increase the level of aggressiveness.
Try different types of activities. The more you offer your child, the higher the chance that he will find his own hobby, which will help him become more diligent and attentive. This will build his self-esteem and improve his relationships with peers.
Protect from prolonged viewing TV and sitting at the computer. The approximate norm is 10 minutes for every year of life. So a 6-year-old child should not watch TV for more than an hour.

Remember, just because your child has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, this does not mean that he is behind his peers in intellectual development. The diagnosis only indicates a borderline state between normality and deviation. Parents will have to put in more effort, show a lot of patience in their upbringing, and in most cases, after 14 years of age, the child will “outgrow” this condition.

Children with ADHD often have high IQ levels and are called “indigo children.” If a child becomes interested in something specific during adolescence, he will direct all his energy to it and bring it to perfection. If this hobby develops into a profession, then success is guaranteed. This is proven by the fact that most major businessmen and prominent scientists suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in childhood.

1. Definition of attention deficit disorder (ADHD)
2. ADHD in children. How to help your child?
2.1. Features of behavior with this syndrome
2.2. Related disorders
2.3. How to behave with a child?
3. About attention deficit disorders in adults. Signs and symptoms
4. Treatment. Fighting Attention Deficit Disorder

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological and behavioral developmental disorder that begins in childhood. Symptoms include difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and poorly controlled impulsivity.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, ADHD is a common disorder, affecting 3-7% of school-age children.

The exact cause of ADHD is still unclear. However, experts believe that ADHD symptoms may be caused by a combination of factors. Here are some of them:

— ADHD tends to be inherited, which indicates the genetic nature of this disease.

— There is evidence to suggest that drinking and smoking during pregnancy, preterm birth, and prematurity may also increase a child's chance of developing ADHD (4, 5).

— Brain injuries and infectious diseases of the brain in early childhood also create a predisposition to the development of ADHD.

2. ADHD in children. How to help your child?

Children with ADHD have difficulty concentrating and, as a result, cannot always cope with schoolwork. They make careless mistakes, do not pay attention and do not listen to explanations. Sometimes they may become excessively mobile, fidgeting, standing up, and doing a lot of unnecessary actions, instead of sitting quietly and concentrating on school or other activities.

This behavior may not be acceptable in the classroom and can cause problems both at school and at home. Such children often have poor academic performance and are often considered mischievous, disobedient, and "terrorizing" their family and peers at school. At the same time, they themselves may suffer from low self-esteem; it is difficult for them to make friends and be friends with other children.

In fact, the reason for the above behavior is a lack of certain biologically active substances in certain parts of the brain. Each part of the brain controls specific behavioral and thought processes. ADHD is thought to affect more than one area of the brain. Depending on which part of the brain is affected, the child may show more signs of attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder.

2.1. Features of behavior with this syndrome

1. Symptoms of inattention.

Such children are easily distracted, forgetful, and have difficulty concentrating their attention. They have trouble completing tasks, staying organized, and following instructions. It seems that they do not listen when they are told something. They often make mistakes due to carelessness and lose their school supplies and other things.

2. Symptoms of hyperactivity.

Children seem impatient, overly sociable, fussy, and cannot sit still for long. In class, they tend to run away at inopportune times. Figuratively speaking, they are always in motion, as if wound up.

3. Symptoms of impulsivity.

Very often in class, teenagers and children with ADHD shout out the answer before the teacher finishes his question, constantly interrupt when others are speaking, and have difficulty waiting their turn. They are unable to delay gratification. If they want something, then they must get it at the same moment, without succumbing to various persuasion.

All children can be inattentive or hyperactive at times, so what makes children with ADHD different?

ADHD is detected if a child's behavior differs from the behavior of other children of the same age and development level for a sufficiently long time, at least 6 months. These behavioral features arise before the age of 7 years; later they manifest themselves in various social situations and negatively affect intrafamily relationships.

If ADHD symptoms are severe, this leads to social maladaptation of the child at school and at home. The child should be carefully examined by a doctor to rule out other diseases that may also cause these behavioral disorders.

2.2. Related disorders

Problems in studies

Children with ADHD cannot fully process certain types of information. One child understands worse what he sees, another - what he hears. As a result, hyperactive children with attention deficit disorder have problems learning school subjects.

Depression

The child isolates himself from the outside world and is sad most of the time. A child with attention deficit disorder usually has low self-esteem and shows little interest in life. The child may sleep or eat noticeably more or less than usual.

Fears

Excessive fears can make a child vulnerable and fearful. He is usually haunted by anxious thoughts. The baby can be too active, calm or withdrawn. Please note that childhood fears and child depression can be associated with other reasons than ADHD.

The behavior of a child with ADHD can be extremely unbearable. It often makes parents feel guilty and ashamed. Having a child with ADHD does not mean that you raised him poorly.

ADHD is a disease that requires proper diagnosis and proper treatment. With effective treatment, it is possible to normalize behavior at school and at home, increase the child’s self-esteem, facilitate social interaction with other children and adults, that is, help the child realize his potential and return him to a full life.

2.3. How to behave with a child?

1. Develop a positive attitude. Instead of criticizing your child and telling him what he SHOULD NOT do, turn your comments into a more positive direction and tell your child what he SHOULD do. For example, instead of: “Don’t throw your clothes on the floor,” try saying: “Let me help you put your clothes away.”

2. Don't be stingy with praise.

3. Help your child not to worry. Activities such as quiet games, listening to pleasant music, or taking a bath will help your child calm down when he is irritated or frustrated.

4. Make simple and clear rules for your child. Children need a certain routine. With its help, they know when and what they need to do, and they feel calmer. Do your daily tasks at the same time of day.

5. Communicate more. Talk to your child. Discuss various topics with him - what happened at school, what he saw in the movies or on TV. Find out what the child thinks.

6. Limit distractions and supervise your child's work.

7. Respond appropriately to bad behavior. Explain what exactly angered you about his behavior.

8. Rest. Sometimes you need a rest too.

9. If you feel like you can’t cope, talk to your doctor who will give you the necessary advice.

Although it is believed that ADHD cannot be completely cured, it can be corrected. Treatment of hyperactive children with attention deficit disorder can combine educational methods, medication and behavioral therapy. The course of treatment for attention disorder is selected individually.

If your baby suffers from attention deficit disorder, then you should take note.

3. About attention deficit disorders in adults. Signs and symptoms

Attention deficit disorder (ADD), contrary to popular belief, does not only occur in children. Constant tardiness, disorganization, and forgetfulness are some of the unpleasant manifestations of this syndrome, which can upset the personal life and career of an adult. The first step in the fight against this psychological disease is to understand the syndrome itself and its characteristics.

As a rule, attention deficit disorder manifests itself in adults who were diagnosed with this disease in childhood. However, there are cases when this syndrome first appears only in adulthood.
Attention deficit in children often goes unnoticed and is attributed by parents and teachers to the child’s personal qualities: a dreamer, a softie, a lazy person, or simply “not the most gifted student in the class.”

In adults, SDA occurs differently than in children, and in each individual case it may have unique manifestations. The following categories describe the most common symptoms of ADD in adults.

1. The problem of concentration and focusing attention

Often, adults with ADD have difficulty concentrating on daily tasks and activities. Common symptoms in this category are:

“freezing” without realizing it, even in the middle of a conversation.
Increased distractibility; “wandering” attention does not allow you to concentrate on one task or subject.
Inability to focus, for example when reading or speaking to someone.
Difficulty completing tasks, even the simplest ones.
Tendency to not pay attention to detail, which leads to mistakes in work or school.
Poor listening ability; difficulty playing back a conversation or following instructions.

2. Super concentration

People with ADD are generally thought to be unable to focus on anything, but there is a flip side to this coin: sometimes these people become overly focused on a task or subject. This paradoxical symptom is called hyperconcentration.

For example, a person may become so engrossed in a book, television program, or computer game that he completely forgets about time or his obligations that need to be done. Hyperconcentration can be channeled into productive activities, but if this symptom is ignored, its consequences can affect work or relationships.

3. Disorganization and forgetfulness

Attention deficit disorder often disrupts the established order of things in the life of an adult. Organization, the ability to prioritize, consistency in activities and tasks, and time management become overwhelming tasks for adults with ADD. Common symptoms of disorganization and forgetfulness include:

Weak organizational skills (the house, workplace or car is overflowing with unnecessary things and is in a state of chronic disorder).
The desire to procrastinate.
Difficulty starting and finishing tasks.
Chronic tardiness.
Constantly forgetting about appointments, commitments, or deadlines.
Constantly losing things or putting them in inappropriate places (keys, wallet, phone).
Inability to calculate time.

4. Impulsiveness

If this symptom is part of your ADD complex, you may develop behavioral problems and react incorrectly to other people's phrases. You have problems with impulsivity if you experience:

Constantly interrupting interlocutors.
Inability to control yourself.
Rashly expressing thoughts out loud that may be rude or indecent.
Craving for addictive substances or activities.
Spontaneous or thoughtless action without awareness of the consequences.
Problems with adequate behavior in society (this can even include sitting in a frozen position during a long meeting).

5. Emotional difficulties

Many adults with ADD have problems with feelings, especially anger and frustration. Typical symptoms in this category are:

Feeling of bad results.
Inability to cope with disappointment.
Rapid onset of fatigue or nervousness.
Frequent irritability and mood swings.
Difficulty staying motivated.
Hypersensitivity to criticism.
Hot temper.
Low self-esteem and increased vulnerability.

6. Hyperactivity and restlessness

Hyperactivity in adults is similar to hyperactivity in children. It manifests itself in increased energy. However, in adults, this symptom affects the psychological state more than physical activity. The complex of symptoms of hyperactivity includes:

Feeling of restlessness, excitement.
Desire for risky situations.
Rapid onset of boredom.
"Running" thoughts.
Reluctance to sit quietly in one place; motor restlessness.
An acute desire for vivid impressions.
Excessive talkativeness.
Doing many things at once.

Adults with attention deficit disorder are less likely to be hyperactive than children. Only a small number of people with ADD exhibit symptoms in this category. Remember that you can have attention deficit disorder even without any symptoms of hyperactivity.

4. Treatment. Fighting Attention Deficit Disorder

Often people themselves do not suspect that they have such problems, considering their fussiness and eternal haste to be quite natural.

And if, as you read the article, you discover symptoms of this disease, do not be upset. After all, ADHD is a disease, and any disease can be cured.

For more effective treatment, it is important to know your ADHD type.
There are at least 6 different types of ADHD, each requiring a different treatment approach.

Type 1: classic ADHD.

Patients experience the core symptoms of ADHD, as well as hyperactivity, nervousness, and impulsivity. There is a decrease in the activity of the frontal cortex and cerebellum, especially with concentration. This type is usually diagnosed early in life.

In this case, you should use dietary supplements that increase dopamine levels in the brain, such as green tea, L-tyrosine and Rhodiola rosea. If they are ineffective, stimulant medications may be needed. A diet high in protein and limited in simple carbohydrates can also be very helpful.

Type 2: Inattentive ADHD.

Patients exhibit the core symptoms of ADHD, but also experience low energy, decreased motivation, detachment, and a tendency to become self-obsessed.

This type is usually diagnosed later in life. It is more common in girls. These are quiet children and adults and are considered lazy, unmotivated and not very smart. Recommendations for this type are the same as for type 1.
Type 3: ADHD with excessive fixation.

These patients are also characterized by the primary symptoms of ADHD, but in combination with cognitive inflexibility, problems with switching attention, a tendency to dwell on negative thoughts and obsessive behavior, and a need for uniformity. They also tend to be restless and touchy, and they tend to like to argue and go against each other.

Stimulants usually only worsen the condition of such patients. Supplements that increase serotonin and dopamine levels are better for treatment. A diet with a balanced combination of healthy proteins and smart carbohydrates is also recommended.

Type 4: Temporal lobe ADHD.

The main symptoms of ADHD in these patients are combined with short temper. They sometimes experience periods of anxiety, headaches or stomach pains, indulge in dark thoughts, have memory problems and difficulty reading, and sometimes misinterpret comments made to them. They often have head injuries as children, or someone in their family has had fits of rage.

Stimulants usually make these patients even more irritable. It's best to use a combination of stimulant supplements to help calm and stabilize your mood. If a patient has problems with memory or learning, it is worth taking dietary supplements that improve memory. If medication is needed, it is a combination of anticonvulsants and stimulants. It also doesn't hurt to eat a higher protein diet.

Type 5: Limbic ADHD.

The primary symptoms of ADHD in these patients are accompanied by chronic melancholy and negativity combined with loss of energy, low self-esteem, irritability, social isolation, lack of appetite and sleep. Stimulants here also cause backlash problems or symptoms of depression.

Type 6: Ring of Fire ADHD.

In addition to the core symptoms of ADHD, these patients are characterized by moodiness, angry outbursts, oppositional personality traits, inflexibility, hasty thinking, excessive talkativeness, and sensitivity to sounds and light. This type may be called the "Ring of Fire" because brain scans of people with this type of ADHD show a characteristic ring.

There are also a number of procedures that are common to all patients with ADHD, in addition to doctor's orders.

1. Take a multivitamin.
They help with learning and prevent chronic diseases.

2. Supplement your diet with omega-3 fatty acids.
ADHD sufferers have been shown to have a lack of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood. Two of them are especially important - eicosapentaenoic acid (EPPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Typically, taking EZPC helps people with ADHD a lot. For adults, I recommend 2000–4000 mg/day; children 1000–2000 mg/day.

3. Eliminate caffeine and nicotine.
They prevent you from falling asleep and reduce the effectiveness of other treatments.

4. Exercise regularly.
At least 45 minutes 4 times a week. Long, brisk walks are just what you need.

5. Reduce the flow of information.
Watch TV, play video games, or use your cell phone or other electronic devices for no more than half an hour a day. This may not be easy, but it will have a noticeable effect.

6. Treat food like medicine.
Most ADHD patients do better when they follow a brain-healthy eating program. Working with a nutritionist can make a big difference.

Conclusion:

We can say that ADHD is the scourge of the 21st century. Unfortunately, in our time, an increasing number of people have become susceptible to this syndrome. It’s not surprising, considering how much information we perceive every day, happiness is already in the fact that we haven’t gone crazy.

Give yourself a break sometimes, allowing your brain to take a break from the abundance of new information that we feed it every day, surfing the Internet or watching TV. I think he will be grateful to you.

As you can see, even for those with ADHD it is quite possible.

What is this?

Experts call the term “ADHD” a neurological behavioral disorder that begins in early childhood and manifests itself in the form of problems with concentration, increased activity and impulsivity. Hyperactivity syndrome is where excitation always prevails over inhibition.

Causes

Scientists, educators and doctors suggest that the appearance of ADHD symptoms depends on the influence of various factors. Thus, biological factors are divided into prenatal and postnatal periods.

The causes of organic lesions can be:

consumption of large quantities of alcohol and smoking during pregnancy;
toxicosis and immune incompatibility;
premature, prolonged labor, threatened miscarriage and attempt to terminate pregnancy;
consequences of anesthesia and caesarean section;
umbilical cord entanglement or malpresentation of the fetus;
stress and psychological trauma of the mother during pregnancy, reluctance to have a child;
any diseases of the child during infancy, accompanied by high fever, can also affect the formation and development of the brain;
unfavorable psychosocial environment and hereditary predisposition;
emotional disorders, increased anxiety, trauma.

There are also social reasons - these are the peculiarities of upbringing in the family or pedagogical neglect - upbringing according to the “family idol” type.

The appearance of ADHD is influenced by many social factors, both of the child himself and the mother of the unborn baby.

Signs

How can parents determine whether their child has hyperactivity? I think this is very easy to do at the initial definition stage. It is enough to note the symptoms that have been present in your child for a certain time.

Signs of inattention:

does not like noisy rooms;
it is difficult for him to concentrate;
he is distracted from completing the task, reacts to external stimuli;
gets down to business with great pleasure, but often moves from one unfinished action to another;
Hears poorly and does not perceive instructions;
has difficulties in self-organization, often loses his things in kindergarten or at home.

Hyperactive children are especially inattentive

Signs of hyperactivity:

climbs on tables, cabinets, cabinets, on trees and fences outside;
runs, spins and spins in place more often;
walks around the room during classes;
there are restless movements of the arms and legs, as if twitching;
if he does anything, it is with noise and screaming;
he constantly needs to do something (play, make crafts and draw) and does not know how to rest.

ADHD also manifests itself as excessive activity in children

Hyperactivity affects the inability to control emotions

You can talk about ADHD syndrome only when your child has had almost all of the above symptoms for a very long time.

The mental activity of children with ADHD syndrome is cyclical. A child can work well actively for 5-10 minutes, then there comes a period when the brain rests and accumulates energy for the next cycle. At this moment, the child is distracted and does not hear anyone. Then mental activity is restored, and the child is ready to work again within 5-15 minutes. Children with ADHD have “flickering attention,” a lack of concentration without additional motor stimulation. They need to move, spin, and constantly turn their heads to remain “conscious.”

In order to maintain concentration, children activate their balance centers through physical activity. For example, they lean back on a chair so that their back legs do not touch the floor. If their head is still, they will become less active.

How to distinguish ADHD from spoilage?

First of all, let's remember that all children are born with a temperament already laid down by mother nature. And how it will manifest itself depends on the development of the baby and on the upbringing of the parents.

Temperament directly depends on nervous processes, such as excitation and inhibition. At the moment, there are four types of temperament - sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic and melancholic. The main thing that parents should know is that there are no pure temperaments, just one of them predominates to a greater extent than the others.

If your child is active when you talk to friends on the street, or he throws tantrums in the store, and at this time you are busy choosing products, then this is a normal, healthy, active child.

But we can only talk about hyperactivity when the child is constantly running around, it is impossible to distract him, and the behavior is the same in kindergarten and at home. That is, sometimes temperamental symptoms can actually overlap with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

ADHD in children is recognized as high motor activity, rapid excitability and excessive emotionality

Parents share their experience of raising children with ADHD in the following video.

Classification of ADHD

The International Psychiatric Classification (DSM) identifies the following variants of ADHD:

mixed - a combination of hyperactivity with attention impairment - occurs most often, especially in boys;
inattentive - attention deficit predominates, more common in girls with wild imagination;
hyperactive - hyperactivity dominates. It may be a consequence of both the individual characteristics of the children’s temperament and certain disorders of the central nervous system.

Symptoms in children of different ages

Symptoms of hyperactivity may appear before the baby is born. These babies can be very active in the womb. An overly active child is a very dangerous phenomenon, because his activity can provoke entanglement in the umbilical cord, and this is fraught with hypoxia.

In babies under 1 year

Very active motor reaction to various actions.
Excessive loudness and hyperexcitability.
Possible delay in speech development.
Sleep disturbance (rarely in a state of relaxation).
High sensitivity to bright light or noise.
It should be remembered that a baby’s capriciousness at this age can be caused by poor nutrition, growing teeth, or colic.

In children 2-3 years old

Restlessness.
Fine motor disorders.
Chaotic movements of the baby, as well as their redundancy.
At this age, signs of ADHD become more active.

In preschoolers

They are unable to concentrate on what they are doing (listening to the end of a story, finishing a game).
In class he confuses assignments and quickly forgets questions asked.
It's hard to go to bed.
Disobedience and whims.
Children at 3 years old are very stubborn and willful, since this age is accompanied by a crisis. But with ADHD, these characteristics are amplified.

For schoolchildren

Lack of attention in class.
Answers quickly, without thinking, interrupts adults.
Experiences self-doubt and low self-esteem.
Fears and anxiety.
Imbalance and unpredictability, changes in mood;
Enuresis, complaints of headache.
Tics appear.
Not able to wait quietly for a long time.

Which specialists should you contact for help?

To confirm this diagnosis, parents should first of all contact a neurologist. It is he who, having collected the entire medical history, after examinations and tests, can confirm the presence of ADHD.

A child psychologist conducts psychological diagnostics using various questionnaires and methods for examining mental functions (memory, attention, thinking), as well as the emotional state of the child. Children of this type are often overexcited and tense.

If you look at their drawings, you can see superficial images, a lack of color schemes, or the presence of sharp strokes and pressure. When raising such a child, you should adhere to a single parenting style.

To clarify the diagnosis, additional tests are prescribed for a hyperactive child, since various diseases can be hidden behind a similar syndrome.

To establish or refute the diagnosis of ADHD, you should consult a specialist

Correction and treatment

Rehabilitation of a child with ADHD includes both individual support and psychological, pedagogical and medicinal correction.

At the first stage, a child psychologist and a neurologist conduct consultations, individual examinations, and use biofeedback technologies to teach the child how to breathe correctly.

In the correction of ADHD, the entire social and related environment of a hyperactive child must interact: parents, educators and teachers.

Psychological techniques are used to treat ADHD in children

Drug treatment is an additional and sometimes the main method of correcting ADHD. In medicine, children are prescribed nootropic drugs (Cortexin, Encephabol), they have a beneficial effect on brain activity and are effective in cases of inattention. If, on the contrary, hyperactive symptoms predominate, then drugs are used that contain gamma-aminobutyric acid, pantogam, phenibut, they are responsible for inhibiting processes in the brain. It must be remembered that all of the above medications can only be taken as prescribed by a neurologist.

Any medications are given to a child only as prescribed by a doctor.

It is important for parents to monitor their child's nutrition.

It is mandatory to take 1000 mg of calcium, which is necessary for the development of a growing organism.
The need for magnesium ranges from 180 mg to 400 mg per day. It is found in buckwheat, wheat, peanuts, potatoes and spinach.
Omega 3 is a special type of fatty acids which ensures the passage of impulses to the cells of the heart and brain, so it is also important in the treatment of ADHD.

The main thing is that the baby’s diet also contains vitamins such as “choline” and “lecithin” - these are protectors and builders of the nervous system. Products that contain these substances are very useful (eggs, liver, milk, fish).

A very good effect is observed after using kinesiotherapy- these are breathing exercises, stretching, oculomotor exercises. Timely courses of massage (SHM) of the cervical spine, starting from an early age, will also be useful.

Sand therapy, working with clay, cereals and water will also be useful, but these games must be carried out under the strict supervision of adults. Especially if the child is small. Now on the shelves of children's stores you can find ready-made sets for such games, for example, “Kinesthetic Sand”, a table for playing with water and sand. The best result can be achieved if parents begin timely treatment and correction at an early age, when symptoms are just beginning to appear.

Useful acquisitions will have a very good effect on the child’s psyche

Learn to follow a daily routine, this is very important for a child with ADHD; perform all routine moments at the same time.
Create a comfortable environment for your child where he can be active for his own benefit. Sign up for sports clubs, clubs and swimming. Protect him from overwork, try to get enough sleep.
When prohibiting one thing, always offer an alternative in return. For example, you can’t play with a ball at home, but you can play outside, suggest playing together.
If possible, parents can attend behavioral programs provided at the centers. There they will be taught how to interact correctly with children and will share the secrets of raising and developing such children. Such classes are also conducted with children, both individually and in group form.
Use visual stimulation and pictures of actions to reinforce verbal instructions.
Children love stroking, massage each other, draw on the back with your hands.
Listen to music. It has long been proven that classical music helps children focus and concentrate.
V. Beethoven's "Piano Concerto No. 5-6" controls all parts of your child's brain at the same time, stimulates speech skills and motor skills.
A. Mozart: “Symphony No. 40 in G minor” trains the muscles in the ear, the sound activates motor and auditory functions.
Parents in the home environment can correct their children themselves using games aimed at training one function.

Learn to create a comfortable environment for a child with ADHD

Useful games

Sighting games

"Catch - don't catch." This is an analogue of everyone's favorite game "Edible - Inedible". That is, one leading player throws the ball and says a word, for example, relating to animals, and the second participant catches it or throws it away.

You can also play “Find the Difference”; "Prohibited movement"; "Listen to the command."

Games to relieve emotional stress

"Touch." With the help of games, you teach your child to relax, relieve anxiety and develop his tactile sensitivity. Use different objects and materials for this: scraps of fabric, fur, glass and wood bottles, cotton wool, paper. Place it on the table in front of your child or put it in a bag. When he looks at them carefully, invite him, with his eyes closed, to try to guess what object he took or touched. The games “Tender Paws” are also interesting; "Talking with your hands."
"Cake". Invite your child to bake his favorite cake and play with his imagination. Let the child be the dough, pretend to prepare the dough using elements of massage, stroking, tapping. Ask what to cook, what to add. This fun game relaxes and relieves stress.

Get a thorough diagnosis. If your doctor diagnoses ADHD in just one appointment, seek a second opinion from another specialist. Several medical tests must be performed to rule out other physical problems and carefully evaluate the patient's condition.

Find out as much as you can about this disorder. Knowledge is power, the more you learn about the syndrome, the better you will be able to cope with it. Buy relevant literature or borrow books from the library, ask your doctor questions, and attend group classes. Do everything in your power to learn as much as possible.

Consider medication, which is necessary in most cases of ADHD. ADHD is a disorder caused by a chemical/electrical imbalance in brain activity. As with any other disease, you cannot get rid of this syndrome just by wanting it. Drug treatment is required. Be patient and communicate with your healthcare provider regularly. It may take a year to find the right medication and dosage correctly, but the time is worth the results you will get. If you decide not to take medications, reconsider this option every 12 months, as ADHD symptoms can wax and wane. In addition, over time, the demands of others on a person suffering from ADHD may change, for example, as they move to high school, homework becomes more difficult.

Eliminate junk food from your diet. Stop drinking soda, eating candy, and buying takeout and fast food. Do not drink energy drinks and try not to eat food with added dyes, flavors, preservatives, flavor enhancers and other additives. Such foods contain chemicals that disrupt the already disrupted chemical balance in the brain of a person suffering from ADHD, which only makes the syndrome more difficult to cope with.

Establish a structured routine. Children and adults with ADHD need structure, routine, and consistency. Get more organized. Create a daily and weekly routine, hang it on your wall on a big poster and stick to it. Create a routine for things like meals, homework, and sleep for things you do every day. Color-code your textbooks so that each subject has a different color, making it easier to bring the correct textbook to each lesson. Eliminate chaos from your life.

Increase your physical activity. Exercise and physical activity improve brain function. People with ADHD should do at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise every day, such as cycling, swimming, dancing, skating, etc. Even 30 minutes of Wii fit or Kinect on Xbox will help.

Introduce a reward system. Children with ADHD easily get attention with their bad behavior and have a very hard time getting it with their good behavior. They require more attention than other children and will do whatever it takes to get it. They often do this through bad behavior. Make it easy by paying attention to them when they do something right. Create a scoreboard and award points if the child was polite, waited his turn, sat down for homework, did the assignment, completed the assignment, followed directions, did not argue with siblings, etc. Points can be redeemed for benefits such as watching TV, computer time, video games, treats, etc. Offer them lots of options, so there are small rewards that can be earned quickly and large rewards that require points to be accumulated. It is very important that the child is not spoiled, because otherwise he will feel that privileges are useless and will not try. The same system can be used in schools. Adults with ADHD should also use a reward system, offering themselves bonuses for completing tasks and getting closer to goals.

Change your diet to include more protein and less carbohydrates. Studies have shown that the brain of a person with ADHD functions better with this diet. You also need to drink a lot of water.

Sign up for a sports section. Some sports use different muscle groups, which improves brain function in children with ADHD. Sports such as gymnastics, martial arts, figure skating and dance require different muscles to work and can make a significant difference. This kind of sport needs to be done at least 2-3 times a week.

Give very clear instructions to children and adults with ADHD. Try to use fewer words, the less you say, the more people with ADHD will remember. Speak clearly and give one instruction at a time. First, get the ADHD person's attention, then, if you feel it is necessary, ask them to repeat what you asked them to do.

Never ignore bad behavior, this way you let your ADHD child know that it's okay because they already have trouble thinking about the consequences of their actions. The fact that there are no consequences at all only makes the situation worse. Ignoring the behavior of a person with ADHD can only make it worse until it becomes completely out of control. Instead, act quickly and nip the problem in the bud.