Too hyperactive child what to do. Hyperactive child: what should parents do? Psychologist's advice

One of the most common diseases in children is hyperactivity. According to statistics, 20% of children aged 3 to 5 years have this diagnosis. This is when the disease manifests itself to its maximum.

A hyperactive child experiences inconvenience during learning and does not socialize well. It is difficult for him to establish contact with peers and concentrate on gaining knowledge. The pathology may be accompanied by other diseases of the nervous system.

In 1970, hyperactivity was included in the international classification of diseases. It was given the name ADHD, or attention deficit disorder. The disease is a disorder of the brain that results in constant nervous tension. Children shock adults with behavior that does not correspond to established standards.

Teachers usually complain about students who are too active. They are restless and constantly undermine discipline. Mental and physical activity is increased. Memory and motor skills may remain unimpaired. The disease most often occurs in boys.

Reasons for the development of pathology

Most often, brain malfunctions begin in utero. Hyperactivity can lead to:

finding the uterus in good shape (threat of miscarriage);
hypoxia;
maternal smoking or poor diet during pregnancy;
constant stress experienced by a woman.

Sometimes pathology occurs due to disruption of the birth process:

swiftness;
a prolonged period of contractions or pushing;
use of drugs for stimulation;
birth before 38 weeks.

Hyperactivity syndrome occurs most rarely due to other reasons not related to the birth of the baby:

diseases of the nervous system;
family problems (conflicts, tense relationships between mom and dad);
overly strict parenting;
chemical poisoning;
violation of the diet.

The listed reasons are risk factors. It is not necessary that a baby with this syndrome is born during rapid labor. If the pregnant mother was constantly nervous, often in confinement due to uterine hypertonicity or oligohydramnios, then the risk of ADHD increases.

Symptoms of pathology

It is quite difficult to separate excessive activity and simple mobility. Many parents mistakenly diagnose their children with ADHD when in reality this problem does not exist. Some symptoms may indicate neurasthenia, so you cannot prescribe treatment yourself. If you suspect hyperactivity, consult a specialist.

Before the age of 1 year, brain disorders manifest themselves with symptoms:

excessive excitability;
violent reaction to daily procedures (crying during bathing, massage, hygiene procedures);
increased sensitivity to stimuli: sound, light;
problems with sleep (babies periodically wake up at night, stay awake for a long time during the day, find it difficult to sleep);
delayed psychomotor development (they begin to crawl, walk, talk, sit later).

Children under 2-3 years of age may experience speech problems. She has been at the babbling stage for a long time; the baby has difficulty forming word combinations and complex sentences.

Hyperactivity is not diagnosed until one year of age, since the described symptoms may appear due to the whims of the baby, problems with the digestive system, or during teething.

Psychologists around the world have recognized that there is a crisis of 3 years. With hyperactivity, it is acute. At the same time, older family members are thinking about socialization. They begin to take the baby to preschool institutions. This is where ADHD begins to manifest itself:

restlessness;
chaotic movements;
motor impairment (clumsiness, inability to hold cutlery or a pencil correctly);
speech problems;
inattention;
disobedience.

Parents may notice that getting their preschooler to sleep becomes difficult. A three-year-old child begins to feel very tired in the evening. The baby begins to cry for no reason and show aggression. This is how accumulated fatigue makes itself felt, but despite it the baby continues to move, actively play, and talk loudly.

ADHD is most often diagnosed in children between 4 and 5 years of age. If mom and dad paid little attention to the health of the preschooler, then the symptoms will appear in elementary school. They will be noticeable:

inability to concentrate;
restlessness: during the lesson the student jumps up from his seat;
problems with the perception of adult speech;
hot temper;
frequent nervous tics;
lack of independence, incorrect assessment of one’s strengths;
severe headaches;
imbalance;
enuresis;
numerous phobias, increased anxiety.

You may notice that a hyperactive student has excellent intelligence, but has problems with academic performance. As a rule, the syndrome is accompanied by conflicts with peers.

Other children avoid overly active children, because it is difficult to find a common language with them. Children with ADHD often become conflict instigators. They are overly touchy, impulsive, aggressive, and mistakenly assess the consequences of their actions.

Features of the syndrome

For most adults, a diagnosis of ADHD sounds like a death sentence. They consider their children to be mentally retarded or defective. This is a big mistake on their part: due to prevailing myths, parents forget that a hyperactive child:

Creative. He is full of ideas, and his imagination is better developed than that of ordinary children. If his elders help him, he can become an excellent specialist with a non-standard approach or a creative person with many ideas.
The owner of a flexible mind. He finds a solution to a difficult problem, making his work easier.
Enthusiast, bright personality. He is interested in many things, he tries to attract attention to himself, strives to communicate with as many people as possible.
Unpredictable, energetic. This quality can be called both positive and negative. On the one hand, he has enough strength for many different things, but on the other hand, it is simply impossible to keep him in place.

It is believed that a child with hyperactivity constantly moves chaotically. This is a persistent myth. If a preschooler is completely absorbed in an activity, he will spend several hours doing it. It is important to encourage such hobbies.

Parents need to understand that hyperactivity in children does not in any way affect their intelligence and talent. These are often gifted children; in addition to treatment, they need education aimed at developing the skills given by nature. Usually they sing well, dance, design, recite poetry, and enjoy performing in public.

Types of disease

Hyperactivity syndrome in children may have different symptoms, since this disease has several forms:

Attention deficit without excessive activity. Most often this variety occurs in girls. They dream a lot, have a wild imagination, and often lie.
Increased excitability without attention deficit. This is the rarest pathology, accompanied by damage to the central nervous system.
Classic ADHD. The most common form, its course scenario is individual for each case.

Regardless of how the disease progresses, it must be treated. To do this, you need to undergo several examinations, interact with doctors, psychologists, and teachers. In most cases, children are prescribed sedatives. A consultation with a psychoanalyst is mandatory for parents. They must learn to accept the illness and not put “labels” on the child.

Diagnostic features

At the first visit to specialists, it is impossible to make a diagnosis. A final verdict requires observation lasting about six months. It is carried out by specialists:

psychologist;
neurologist;
psychiatrist.

All family members are often afraid of going to a psychiatrist. Do not hesitate to come to him for a consultation. An experienced specialist will help you correctly assess the condition of a small patient and prescribe treatment. The examination should include:

conversation or interview;
behavior observation;
neuropsychological testing;
filling out questionnaires by parents.

Based on this data, doctors receive complete information about the behavior of a small patient, which allows them to distinguish an active baby from one who has disorders. Other pathologies may be hidden behind hyperactivity, so you should be prepared to undergo:

Brain MRI;
ECHO CG;
blood tests.

In order to promptly identify concomitant pathologies, it is necessary to consult with an endocrinologist, epileptologist, speech therapist, ophthalmologist, and otolaryngologist. It is important to wait for a final diagnosis.
If doctors refuse to refer you for examinations, contact the head of the clinic or work through psychologists from educational institutions.

Complex treatment

There is no universal ADHD pill yet. Children are always prescribed complex treatment. Some recommendations on how to help a hyperactive child:

Correction of motor activity. Children should not play competitive sports. Demonstrations of achievements (without evaluations) and static loads are acceptable. Suitable sports: swimming, skiing, cycling. Aerobic exercise is allowed.
Interaction with a psychologist. Techniques are used to reduce the level of anxiety of a small patient and to increase his communication skills. Success scenarios are modeled and activities are selected to help increase self-esteem. The specialist gives exercises to develop memory, speech, and attention. If the violations are serious, then a speech therapist is involved in corrective classes.
A change of scenery and environment is useful. If the treatment is beneficial, the attitude towards the baby will be better in the new team.
Parents react sharply to behavioral problems of their children. Mothers are often diagnosed with depression, irritability, impulsiveness, and intolerance. Visiting a psychotherapist with the whole family allows you to quickly cope with hyperactivity.
Auto-training, classes in sensory relaxation rooms. They improve the activity of the nervous system and stimulate the cerebral cortex.
Correcting the behavior of the whole family, changing habits and daily routines.
Therapy using medications. In America, psychostimulants are often prescribed for ADHD. In Russia they are prohibited for use, since this group of medications has a lot of side effects. Doctors recommend nootropic drugs and sedatives that contain herbal ingredients.

Drug therapy is used only when other methods of treatment have failed. The use of nootropics for hyperactivity does not have an evidence base; they are usually prescribed to improve blood supply to the brain and normalize metabolic processes in it. Using these medications can improve memory and concentration.

Parents should be prepared for the course of treatment to last several months. Medicines give a positive effect after 4-6 months, but you will have to work with a psychologist for more than one year.

No one can be diagnosed with ADHD without testing. Only a specialist can see signs of hyperactivity in children. You should not make a diagnosis or prescribe medications on your own. Do not neglect the recommendations of specialists and conduct regular examinations. Many people are interested in the peculiarities of life in a family with a hyperactive child - what should parents do - the advice of a psychologist in this case is as follows:

Organize your day. Include consistent rituals. For example, before bed, give your baby a bath, change him into pajamas, and read a story. Do not change your daily routine, this will save you from hysterics and excitement in the evening.
A calm and friendly environment at home will help minimize energy emissions. Unexpected arrivals of guests and noisy parties are not a suitable atmosphere for children with hyperactivity.
Choose a sports section and make sure you attend classes regularly.
If the situation allows, do not limit the activity of the baby. He will throw out his energy and become calmer.
Punishments such as sitting still for long periods of time or doing tedious work are not suitable for children with ADHD.

Many people are interested in how to calm a hyperactive child. To do this, psychotherapists provide individual consultations based on changes in the educational process. First of all, keep in mind that with ADHD children deny any inhibitions.

Using the words “no” and “can’t” is sure to provoke hysterics. Psychologists recommend making sentences without using direct negatives.

Tantrums need to be prevented. This can be done by correcting behavior.

Another problem with ADHD is lack of time control and frequent attention shifts. Gently guide your child back to the goal. Make sure that the task takes a certain amount of time to complete. Give directions or teach lessons sequentially. Don't ask multiple questions at once.

Spend a lot of time with overly active children and pay attention to them. Engage in joint activities with them: walk through the forest, pick berries and mushrooms, go on picnics or hikes.

At the same time, avoid noisy events that have a stimulating effect on the psyche. Change the background of your life. Instead of watching TV, turn on calm music and limit your time watching cartoons.

If a hyperactive baby is overexcited, do not yell at him and exclude physical violence. Speak to him in a calm and firm tone, hug him, take him to a quiet place (away from other children and people), find words of comfort, listen.

Features of the learning process

Treatment of hyperactivity in school-age children should be carried out together with teachers. They must know about the student’s problems and be able to engage him in class. Most often, programs with creative elements in classes and simplified presentation of material are used for this purpose.

Nowadays, inclusive education is being developed throughout the country, which, with the syndrome, allows children to gain knowledge not at home, but in a group. Problems and misunderstandings cannot be ruled out. The teacher must be able to resolve conflicts in the classroom.

During the lesson, hyperactive children need to be involved in active actions. The teacher should give such students small assignments. They can wash the blackboard, take out the trash, hand out notebooks, and go get chalk. A little warm-up during the lesson will allow you to splash out the accumulated energy.

Possible consequences

You shouldn’t let pathology take its course. The child is not able to cope with ADHD on his own. He will not outgrow this syndrome.

In advanced cases, hyperactivity leads to manifestations of physical aggression towards oneself and others:

bullying by peers;
fights;
attempts to beat parents;
suicidal tendencies.

Often a hyperactive student with a high IQ graduates from school with unsatisfactory grades. He cannot get an education at a university or college and has problems finding employment.

In an unfavorable social atmosphere, the grown-up student leads a marginal lifestyle, takes drugs or abuses alcohol.

In a supportive environment, ADHD can be beneficial. Mozart and Einstein are known to have had this syndrome. However, you should not rely only on natural data. Help your child realize his importance and direct his energy in the right direction.

Nowadays, children are increasingly talking about hyperactivity. Many people do not fully understand what this term means and apply it to all mobile and active children. However, hyperactivity is not just increased activity of the baby, it is a violation of the child’s behavioral reactions associated with impaired brain function.

What kind of hyperactive child is he? What should the parents of such a child do? After all, they will have to face a lot of problems, learn to correct their child’s behavior, and help him adapt to school, and this is usually very difficult.

The term “hyperactivity” itself means greatly increased activity and excitability of a person. Hyperactivity is most common in children, as they have less control over their emotions.

With hyperactivity, the nervous system is usually unbalanced. The child develops behavioral disorders that require correction. In the modern world, more and more children suffer from this disorder.

Typically, a hyperactive child has the following disorders:

Cannot concentrate attention on any action for a long time. This especially often causes problems at school.

After all, it is difficult for a child to sit through a lesson, listen to the teacher, and complete assignments. Such children are forgetful and absent-minded. Even sitting in front of the TV for a long time is problematic for such children.

Increased emotionality and impulsiveness.

Hyperactive children often cannot control their emotions, splashing them out on others, and commit unexpected impulsive actions.

Motor activity is excessive.

Many children, especially at preschool and primary school age, are quite active. However, hyperactive children stand out even against their background. They cannot sit still, they literally dance if they are seated. Their hands and legs are in motion, their eyes dart, their facial expressions change.

If a child has one or two of the above disorders, then most likely these are simply age-related behavioral characteristics. With age, the child will learn to better control his emotions, and his behavior will level out. However, if the baby has all of the listed disorders, then this is a reason to consult a specialist.

It is important to suspect and diagnose this disorder in time, rather than later reap the fruits of misunderstanding your child.

From a medical point of view, hyperactivity - hyperdynamic syndrome - is a diagnosis. It can be installed by a neurologist or neurologist. Most often, this diagnosis is associated with minimal brain dysfunction and dysfunction of the central nervous system.

In the next video, Dr. Komarovsky will tell you what hyperactivity is:

When it appears

It is believed that hyperdynamic activity syndrome manifests itself most clearly in preschool (4-5 years) and primary school age (6-8 years). The child ends up in a children's group and cannot withstand the modern pace of learning.

All the signs of his hyperactivity immediately appear: the teacher or educator cannot cope with the child, he does not master the curriculum and other problems of his behavioral disorders.

However, the first signs of hyperdynamic syndrome can be detected in infancy. Such babies are very active and emotional: they get unstuck from their diapers, fall, if you just turn away for a moment, they sleep poorly, their sleep is superficial, restless, and they can scream all night for no reason.

As they grow older, the behavior of hyperactive children continues to “delight” their parents: they get out of playpens and strollers, often fall, get into everything, and knock over everything.

Babies are already 1-2 years old and active and overly mobile; mothers can barely keep up with them. They are not interested in games where you need to think, add, build. It is difficult for a hyperactive child to finish listening to a fairy tale or watching a cartoon; he cannot sit still.

What should parents do if they suspect their child has hyperactivity disorder?

Norm or pathology. False hyperactivity

Very often, hyperactivity is confused with normal child behavior, because most children aged 3-7 years are quite active and impulsive, and have difficulty controlling emotions. If a child is restless and often distracted, then they say that he is hyperactive. However, for elementary school children, a lack of concentration and the inability to sit still for a long time is usually the norm. Therefore, hyperdynamic syndrome can be difficult to diagnose.

If a child, in addition to attention deficit and increased activity, has problems establishing relationships with peers, is inattentive to the feelings of others, does not learn from his mistakes, and does not know how to adapt to the environment, then these signs indicate a pathology - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

From a neurological point of view, this diagnosis is quite serious and the child needs treatment, the sooner the better.

Diagnostics

If parents suspect that their child has ADHD, they should consult a pediatric neurologist. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate examination that needs to be completed. Indeed, more serious pathologies may be hidden under the symptoms of hyperdynamic syndrome.
Diagnostics includes three stages:

The doctor collects data on the child’s behavior and reactions, about the peculiarities of pregnancy and childbirth, previous diseases, hereditary pathologies of family members.
Conducts special tests and evaluates results and the amount of time spent, as well as the reaction and behavior of the child in this case. Usually such tests are carried out for children 5-6 years old.
Electroencephalogram. This examination assesses the condition of the child's brain. It is painless and harmless.

After receiving all the results, the neurologist makes a diagnosis and gives his conclusion.

Signs

The main signs that help recognize a child’s hyperactivity:

The child has increased causeless motor activity. He spins all the time, jumps, runs, climbs everywhere, even if he knows that he shouldn’t. It lacks the process of inhibition in the central nervous system. He just can't contain himself.
Can't sit still, if you sit him down, he spins, gets up, fidgets, and cannot sit still.
When talking, he often interrupts the interlocutor and does not listen to the question. to the end, speaks off topic, does not think.
Can't sit quietly. Even when playing, he makes noise, squeaks, and makes unconscious movements.
He can’t stand in line, he’s capricious and nervous.
Has problems interacting with peers. Interferes in other people's games, pesters children, and does not know how to make friends.
Does not take into account the feelings and needs of other people.
The child is very emotional and has no ability to control either positive or negative emotions.. Often causes scandals and hysterics.
Child's sleep is restless, during the day he often doesn’t sleep at all. In his sleep he tosses and turns, curls up into a ball.
Quickly loses interest in activities, jumping from one to another and not finishing.
The child is distracted and inattentive, cannot concentrate, and often makes mistakes because of this.

Parents of hyperactive children face difficulties from an early age. The child does not obey his parents, it is necessary to control him all the time, constantly being nearby.

You can learn more about the signs of this syndrome by watching the video:

Causes

Experts consider the following situations to be the main reasons that can cause dysfunction of the child’s nervous system, and, consequently, hyperactivity syndrome:

Heredity (genetic predisposition)
Damage to brain cells in the prenatal period or during labor.

This may be fetal hypoxia, infections, birth injuries.

Disorders caused by an unfavorable family environment, abnormal living conditions, improper educational process, illnesses and injuries after birth.

According to statistical data, male children are more likely to suffer from hyperactivity.. For every five boys, only one girl is diagnosed with this condition.

Classification of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

There are the following types of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD):

Hyperdynamic syndrome without attention deficit.
Attention deficit disorder is present, but without hyperactivity (it usually occurs in female children - these are calm, absent-minded, quiet girls).
Combination of attention deficit disorder and hyperdynamism.

ADHD can be primary, occurring in utero, or secondary (acquired), acquired after birth as a result of injury or disease.

There is also a distinction between a simple form of the disease and a complicated one. In the complicated form of ADHD, other signs are added to the symptoms: nervous tics, stuttering, enuresis, headaches.

Treatment

Treatment of ADHD requires a comprehensive approach. Some procedures, medications, and diets are used, but the main emphasis is on psychological correction and the right approach to raising a hyperactive child.

In Europe and the United States, psychostimulant drugs are widely used to treat ADHD. They are quite effective, but have many side effects. The main ones are digestive disorders, headaches, insomnia, and growth retardation. In Russia, ADHD is treated with nootropic drugs that have a positive effect on brain function (Holitilin, Encephabol, Cortexin).

These remedies are more effective for attention deficit.
When focusing on hyperdynamic syndrome, drugs are used that affect the inhibitory reactions of the central nervous system (Fentibut, Pantogam).

Only a doctor can prescribe medications! The medication is taken under the supervision of a specialist. In addition, it is possible to use procedures involving stimulation of the brain with weak pulses of electric current.

The child’s nutrition is also important. So, with an unbalanced diet, children’s metabolism is disrupted, which can provoke irritability and moodiness. A growing body requires protein, vitamins and minerals. The diet should contain foods with high levels of Omega 3 fats, which have a beneficial effect on the central nervous system. But it is better to reduce the amount of sweets and carbohydrates. It is better to give your child berries and fruits. You can leave a little dark chocolate in your diet.

Psychological correction of the child’s behavior is mandatory during treatment. The psychologist helps the child better understand his actions, and will also give advice to parents on building relationships with such a child and methods of raising and teaching him.

Most children “outgrow” this disease if they have no complications and receive timely treatment. In some cases, ADHD continues into adulthood, especially if timely and adequate assistance is not provided to the child.

You can learn more about the treatment of the syndrome from the video:

Features of communication with such children

Raising a hyperactive child can be difficult. Even with strong love for their child, parents cannot always withstand all his tricks; they often break down and scream. And it happens that they stop raising him altogether, deciding “what he grows up, he grows up.”

It is not uncommon for parents to try to instill strict discipline in such a child, brutally suppressing all his antics and disobedience. The child is punished for the slightest offense. However, such upbringing only aggravates the child's behavior problems. He becomes more withdrawn, insecure, and disobedient.

You should not go too far in relation to children with ADHD, so as not to add new problems to existing disorders(stuttering, urinary incontinence, etc.). It is necessary to find a different approach to each child with ADHD, taking into account his neurological characteristics.

What should parents, educators and teachers do?

A child with hyperdynamic syndrome requires a lot of parental attention. It is necessary to try to listen to him, help him complete tasks, develop his perseverance and interaction with the outside world. He needs praise and rewards, approval and support, more parental love. Before punishing a child, parents should take into account that he is quite normal in intelligence, but he has problems regulating his motor activity. Therefore, he does not deliberately do what he was forbidden, but simply cannot stop himself.

It is necessary to properly organize your daily routine. Come up with your own rituals. Walk outside more. It is advisable to enroll your child in a sports section. Swimming, gymnastics, running, horse riding, and sports dancing are good options. It is also necessary to set up a sports corner at home so that the child has a place to splash out his energy.

When sending your child to kindergarten, you need to choose a suitable one in advance, where there are groups with the opportunity to play, children actively move, complete tasks and answer as desired. Talk to the teacher about the baby's special needs.

If a child’s behavior causes a conflict in the kindergarten, then it is better to take him out of there. You can’t blame the baby that he’s to blame for this, say that this group just didn’t suit him.

Studying at school also has its difficulties. Discuss what a teacher should do so as not to traumatize a hyperactive child and help him adapt in the classroom. When doing homework, you should prepare in advance and avoid distractions. Classes should be short but effective so that the child does not lose attention. IN

It is important to do your homework regularly, at the same time. It is necessary to observe the child and determine the most appropriate time: after meals or after physical activity.
When punishing a hyperactive child, you should not choose those that do not allow him to move: put him in a corner, sit him on a special chair.

Positive qualities of hyperactive children

Despite all the unpleasant behavioral characteristics of children with hyperdynamic syndrome, they also have many positive qualities, the development of which parents should pay special attention to.

A hyperactive child has creative, creative thinking.

He can come up with a lot of interesting ideas, and if you have enough patience, he can be creative. Such a child is easily distracted, but has a unique view of the world around him.

Hyperactive children are usually enthusiastic. They are never boring.

They are interested in many things and are, as a rule, bright personalities.

Such children are energetic and active, but often unpredictable.

If they have a motive, then they do everything faster than ordinary children.

A child with ADHD is very flexible, resourceful, and can find a way out where others would not notice, and solve a problem in an unusual way.

The intelligence of children with ADHD is not impaired in any way. Very often they have high artistic and intellectual abilities.

Specific ways to communicate and interact with such children are given in the following video:

Psychologists note that if a child has signs of hyperactivity, then they should begin to eliminate them, the sooner the better. This approach helps to avoid difficulties arising from the child’s behavioral disorders, stress and disappointment on the part of his parents and surrounding people, and even the baby himself. Therefore, when a diagnosis of ADHD is established, you should not neglect the help of a specialist doctor and psychologist, so as not to waste time.

Psychologists note that a properly organized daily routine and a favorable family environment helps a child in the treatment of ADHD. In addition, the psychologist’s advice is as follows:

Provide your child with a calm, stable, non-stimulating environment. This will help reduce the accumulation and release of strong emotions.
He must develop the necessary reflexes that will help him strictly adhere to the daily routine. For example, go to bed after mom reads a fairy tale or sings a song.
To relieve excess physical activity, it is necessary to organize classes for the child in sports sections.
Do not force a hyperactive child to do tedious work for a long time or sit in one place. Periodically allow active activities to release excess energy.

Eliminating problems associated with hyperactivity in children is a completely feasible task. The main thing is to give the child the opportunity to throw out excess energy, to interest him in the learning process, to develop creative abilities, and most importantly to take into account the child’s characteristics when assessing his actions.

Cartoons for the prevention of hyperactivity.

The following cartoons will help your child understand more about his condition; by discussing the plot and characters with your child, you can help him fight this problem.

Here's a list of cartoons:

"Fidget, Myakish and Netak"
“Masha is no longer lazy”
“He’s so absent-minded”
"Wings, Legs, and Tails"
"Petya Pyatochkin"
"Monkeys"
"Naughty Bear"
"I don't want to"
"Octopuses"
"Naughty Kitten"
"Fidget"

Every child is active and inquisitive, but there are children whose activity is increased compared to their peers. Can such children be called hyperactive or is this a manifestation of the child’s character? And is a child’s hyperactive behavior normal or does it require treatment?

What is hyperactivity

This is the abbreviated name for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which is also abbreviated as ADHD. This is a very common brain disorder in childhood and is also present in many adults. According to statistics, 1-7% of children have hyperactivity syndrome. It is diagnosed 4 times more often in boys than in girls.

Early recognition of hyperactivity, which requires therapy, allows the child to develop normal behavior and better adapt to a group environment among other people. If a child's ADHD is left unattended, it persists into an older age. A teenager with such a disorder acquires school skills worse, is more prone to antisocial behavior, and is hostile and aggressive.

ADHD - a syndrome of excessive impulsivity, hyperactivity and stable inattention

Signs of ADHD

Not every active and easily excited child is classified as a child who has hyperactivity syndrome.

To diagnose ADHD, you should identify the main symptoms of this disorder in your child, which include:

Attention deficit.
Impulsivity.
Hyperactivity.

Symptoms usually begin before age 7 years. Most often, parents notice them at 4 or 5 years old, and the most common age period for contacting a specialist is 8 years and older, when the child is faced with many tasks at school and around the house, where his concentration and independence are needed. Children who have not yet turned 3 years old are not diagnosed immediately. They are monitored for a period of time to ensure that they have ADHD.

Depending on the predominance of specific symptoms, two subtypes of the syndrome are distinguished: attention deficit and hyperactivity. A separate subtype of ADHD is distinguished, in which the child has symptoms of both attention deficit and hyperactivity.

Signs of hyperactivity are more common in children 4-5 years old

Manifestations of attention deficit:

The child cannot concentrate on objects for a long time. He often makes careless mistakes.
The child is unable to maintain attention for a long time, which is why he is not collected during the task and often does not complete the task to the end.
When a child is spoken to, it seems that he is not listening.
If you give a child a direct instruction, he does not follow it, or he starts to follow it and does not finish it.
It is difficult for a child to organize his activities. He frequently switches from one activity to another.
The child does not like tasks that require prolonged mental effort. He tries to avoid them.
A child often loses things that he needs.
The baby is easily distracted by extraneous noise.
In everyday activities, the child is noted to have increased forgetfulness.

Children with ADHD experience distraction

Hyperactive children have difficulty completing tasks that require mental effort.

Manifestations of impulsivity and hyperactivity:

The child often gets up from his seat.
When a child is excited, he moves his legs or arms intensely. In addition, the baby periodically squirms in the stool.
He gets up very quickly and runs often.
He finds it difficult to participate in quiet games.
His actions can be described as “whimsical.”
During classes, he may shout from his seat or make noise.
The child answers before he hears the full question.
He cannot wait his turn during a lesson or game.
The child constantly interferes with other people's activities or conversations.

To make a diagnosis, a child must have at least 6 of the signs listed above, and they must be present for a long time (at least six months).

How hyperactivity manifests itself at an early age

Hyperactivity syndrome is detected not only in schoolchildren, but also in preschool children and even infants.

In the youngest children, this problem manifests itself with the following symptoms:

Faster physical development compared to peers. Babies with hyperactivity roll over, crawl, and walk much faster.
The appearance of whims when the child is tired. Hyperactive children often get excited and become more active before bedtime.
Less sleep duration. A child with ADHD sleeps much less than he should for his age.
Difficulty falling asleep (many children need to be rocked to sleep) and very light sleep. A hyperactive child reacts to any rustle, and if he wakes up, it is very difficult for him to fall asleep again.
A very violent reaction to loud sounds, new surroundings and unfamiliar faces. Because of such factors, children with hyperactivity become excited and begin to be more capricious.
Quick switching of attention. Having offered the baby a new toy, the mother notices that the new object attracts the baby’s attention for only a short time.
Strong attachment to mother and fear of strangers.

If your baby is often capricious, reacts violently to new surroundings, sleeps little and has difficulty falling asleep, these may be the first signs of ADHD.

ADHD or personality?

Increased activity of a child may be a manifestation of his innate temperament.

Unlike children with ADHD, a temperamental healthy child:

Causes of hyperactivity in children

Previously, the occurrence of ADHD was associated primarily with brain damage, for example, if the newborn suffered hypoxia while in the mother's womb or during childbirth. Nowadays, studies have confirmed the influence of genetic factors and disorders of intrauterine development of the baby on the appearance of hyperactivity syndrome. The development of ADHD is facilitated by too early childbirth, cesarean section, low birth weight, a long anhydrous period during childbirth, the use of forceps and similar factors.

ADHD can occur during difficult childbirth, impaired intrauterine development, or be inherited

What to do

If you suspect your child has hyperactivity syndrome, the first thing you need to do is go to a specialist. Many parents do not go to the doctor right away because they are hesitant to admit that their child has a problem and are afraid of being judged by their friends. By such actions they waste time, as a result of which hyperactivity becomes the cause of serious problems with the child’s social adaptation.

There are also parents who bring a completely healthy child to a psychologist or psychiatrist when they cannot or do not want to find an approach to him. This is often observed during crisis periods of development, for example, at 2 years or during a three-year crisis. At the same time, the baby does not have any hyperactivity.

If you discover some signs of hyperactivity in your child, contact a specialist without delaying this problem.

In all these cases, without the help of a specialist, it will not be possible to determine whether the child really needs medical help or whether he just has a bright temperament.

If a child is confirmed to have hyperactivity syndrome, the following methods will be used in his treatment:

Explanatory work with parents. The doctor must explain to mom and dad why the child developed hyperactivity, how this syndrome manifests itself, how to behave with the child and how to raise him correctly. Thanks to such educational work, parents stop blaming themselves or each other for the child’s behavior, and also understand how to behave with the baby.
Changing learning conditions. If hyperactivity is diagnosed in a student with poor academic performance, he is transferred to a specialized class. This helps to cope with delays in the formation of school skills.
Drug therapy. Medications prescribed for ADHD are symptomatic and effective in 75-80% of cases. They help facilitate the social adaptation of children with hyperactivity and improve their intellectual development. As a rule, medications are prescribed for a long period, sometimes until adolescence.

ADHD is treated not only with medication, but also under the supervision of a psychiatrist

Komarovsky's opinion

The popular doctor has encountered many times in his practice with children diagnosed with ADHD. Komarovsky calls the main difference between such a medical diagnosis and hyperactivity as a character trait the fact that hyperactivity does not interfere with a healthy child’s development and communication with other members of society. If a child has a disease, without the help of parents and doctors he cannot become a full-fledged member of the team, study normally and communicate with peers.

To make sure whether the child is healthy or has ADHD, Komarovsky advises contacting a child psychologist or psychiatrist, since only a qualified specialist will not only easily identify hyperactivity in a child as a disease, but will also help parents understand how to raise a child with ADHD.

When communicating with your baby, it is important to establish contact. If necessary, for this purpose you can touch the child on the shoulder, turn him towards you, remove the toy from his field of vision, turn off the TV.
Parents must set specific and enforceable rules of behavior for their child, but it is important that they are followed at all times. In addition, each such rule must be understandable to the child.
The space in which a hyperactive child lives must be completely safe.
The routine should be followed at all times, even if parents have a day off. For hyperactive children, according to Komarovsky, it is very important to wake up, eat, walk, swim, go to bed and perform other usual daily activities at the same time.
All complex tasks for hyperactive children must be broken down into parts that are understandable and easy to complete.
The child should be constantly praised, noting and emphasizing all the baby’s positive actions.
Find what the hyperactive child does best, and then create conditions so that the child can do such work and get satisfaction from it.
Provide a child with hyperactivity with the opportunity to spend excess energy by directing it in the right direction (for example, walking the dog, attending sports clubs).
When going to the store or visiting with your child, think about your actions in detail, for example, what to take with you or what to buy for your child.
Parents should also take care of their own rest, since, as Komarovsky emphasizes, for a hyperactive child it is very important that mom and dad are calm, peaceful and adequate.

From the video below you can learn even more about hyperactive children.

You will learn about the role of parents and many important nuances by watching the video of clinical psychologist Veronica Stepanova.

What is hyperactivity

This is the abbreviated name for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which is also abbreviated as ADHD. This is a very common brain disorder in childhood and is also present in many adults. According to statistics, 1-7% of children have hyperactivity syndrome. It is diagnosed 4 times more often in boys than in girls.

ADHD - a syndrome of excessive impulsivity, hyperactivity and stable inattention. Signs of ADHD

Not every active and easily excited child is classified as a child who has hyperactivity syndrome.

To diagnose ADHD, you should identify the main symptoms of this disorder in your child, which include:

Attention deficit.
Impulsivity.
Hyperactivity.

Signs of hyperactivity are more common in children 4-5 years old

Manifestations of attention deficit:

The child cannot concentrate on objects for a long time. He often makes careless mistakes.
The child is unable to maintain attention for a long time, which is why he is not collected during the task and often does not complete the task to the end.
When a child is spoken to, it seems that he is not listening.
If you give a child a direct instruction, he does not follow it, or he starts to follow it and does not finish it.
It is difficult for a child to organize his activities. He frequently switches from one activity to another.
The child does not like tasks that require prolonged mental effort. He tries to avoid them.
A child often loses things that he needs.
The baby is easily distracted by extraneous noise.
In everyday activities, the child is noted to have increased forgetfulness.

Manifestations of impulsivity and hyperactivity:

The child often gets up from his seat.
When a child is excited, he moves his legs or arms intensely. In addition, the baby periodically squirms in the stool.
He gets up very quickly and runs often.
He finds it difficult to participate in quiet games.
His actions can be described as “whimsical.”
During classes, he may shout from his seat or make noise.
The child answers before he hears the full question.
He cannot wait his turn during a lesson or game.
The child constantly interferes with other people's activities or conversations.

To make a diagnosis, a child must have at least 6 of the signs listed above, and they must be present for a long time (at least six months).

Childhood hyperactivity manifests itself in the inability to sit still. How does hyperactivity manifest at an early age?

Hyperactivity syndrome is detected not only in schoolchildren, but also in preschool children and even infants.

In the youngest children, this problem manifests itself with the following symptoms:

Faster physical development compared to peers. Babies with hyperactivity roll over, crawl, and walk much faster.
The appearance of whims when the child is tired. Hyperactive children often get excited and become more active before bedtime.
Less sleep duration. A child with ADHD sleeps much less than he should for his age.
Difficulty falling asleep (many children need to be rocked to sleep) and very light sleep. A hyperactive child reacts to any rustle, and if he wakes up, it is very difficult for him to fall asleep again.
A very violent reaction to loud sounds, new surroundings and unfamiliar faces. Because of such factors, children with hyperactivity become excited and begin to be more capricious.
Quick switching of attention. Having offered the baby a new toy, the mother notices that the new object attracts the baby’s attention for only a short time.
Strong attachment to mother and fear of strangers.

If your baby is often capricious, reacts violently to new surroundings, sleeps little and has difficulty falling asleep, these could be the first signs of ADHD ADHD or character?

Increased activity of a child may be a manifestation of his innate temperament.

Unlike children with ADHD, a temperamental healthy child:

Causes of hyperactivity in children

ADHD can occur during difficult childbirth, impaired intrauterine development, or be inherited. What to do

If you discover some signs of hyperactivity in your child, contact a specialist without delaying this problem.

In all these cases, without the help of a specialist, it will not be possible to determine whether the child really needs medical help or whether he just has a bright temperament.

If a child is confirmed to have hyperactivity syndrome, the following methods will be used in his treatment:

Explanatory work with parents. The doctor must explain to mom and dad why the child developed hyperactivity, how this syndrome manifests itself, how to behave with the child and how to raise him correctly. Thanks to such educational work, parents stop blaming themselves or each other for the child’s behavior, and also understand how to behave with the baby.
Changing learning conditions. If hyperactivity is diagnosed in a student with poor academic performance, he is transferred to a specialized class. This helps to cope with delays in the formation of school skills.
Drug therapy. Medications prescribed for ADHD are symptomatic and effective in 75-80% of cases. They help facilitate the social adaptation of children with hyperactivity and improve their intellectual development. As a rule, medications are prescribed for a long period, sometimes until adolescence.

Treatment of ADHD is carried out not only with medication, but also under the supervision of a psychiatrist. Opinion of Komarovsky

When communicating with your baby, it is important to establish contact. If necessary, for this purpose you can touch the child on the shoulder, turn him towards you, remove the toy from his field of vision, turn off the TV.
Parents must set specific and enforceable rules of behavior for their child, but it is important that they are followed at all times. In addition, each such rule must be understandable to the child.
The space in which a hyperactive child lives must be completely safe.
The routine should be followed at all times, even if parents have a day off. For hyperactive children, according to Komarovsky, it is very important to wake up, eat, walk, swim, go to bed and perform other usual daily activities at the same time.
All complex tasks for hyperactive children must be broken down into parts that are understandable and easy to complete.
The child should be constantly praised, noting and emphasizing all the baby’s positive actions.
Find what the hyperactive child does best, and then create conditions so that the child can do such work and get satisfaction from it.
Provide a child with hyperactivity with the opportunity to spend excess energy by directing it in the right direction (for example, walking the dog, attending sports clubs).
When going to the store or visiting with your child, think about your actions in detail, for example, what to take with you or what to buy for your child.
Parents should also take care of their own rest, since, as Komarovsky emphasizes, for a hyperactive child it is very important that mom and dad are calm, peaceful and adequate.

From the video below you can learn even more about hyperactive children.

You will learn about the role of parents and many important nuances by watching the video of clinical psychologist Veronica Stepanova.

Childhood hyperactivity is a condition in which the child’s activity and excitability significantly exceeds the norm. This causes a lot of trouble for parents, educators and teachers. And the child himself suffers from difficulties in communicating with peers and adults, which is fraught with the further formation of negative psychological characteristics of the individual.

How to identify and treat hyperactivity, what specialists should you contact to make a diagnosis, how to properly communicate with your child? All this is necessary to know in order to raise a healthy baby.

What is hyperactivity?

This is a neurological-behavioral disorder, which in the medical literature is often called hyperactive child syndrome.

It is characterized by the following violations:

impulsive behavior;
significantly increased speech and motor activity;
attention deficit.

The disease leads to poor relationships with parents, peers, and poor performance at school. According to statistics, this disorder occurs in 4% of schoolchildren; in boys it is diagnosed 5-6 times more often.

The difference between hyperactivity and activity

Hyperactivity syndrome differs from the active state in that the baby’s behavior creates problems for the parents, those around him and himself.

It is necessary to contact a pediatrician, neurologist or child psychologist in the following cases: motor disinhibition and lack of attention appear constantly, behavior makes it difficult to communicate with people, school performance is low. You also need to consult a doctor if your child shows aggression towards others.

Causes

The causes of hyperactivity can be different:

premature or complicated birth;
intrauterine infections;
the influence of harmful factors at work during a woman’s pregnancy;
bad ecology;
stress and physical overload of a woman during pregnancy;
hereditary predisposition;
unbalanced diet during pregnancy;
immaturity of the central nervous system of the newborn;
disturbances in the exchange of dopamine and other neurotransmitters in the infant’s central nervous system;
excessive demands from parents and teachers on the child;
disorders of purine metabolism in a baby.

Provoking factors

This condition can be caused by late toxicosis or the use of medications during pregnancy without the consent of a doctor. Possible exposure to alcohol, drugs, smoking during pregnancy. Read more about the effect of smoking on pregnancy →

Conflict relationships in the family and family violence can contribute to the appearance of hyperactivity. Low academic performance, due to which the child is subject to criticism from teachers and punishment from parents, is another predisposing factor.

Symptoms

Signs of hyperactivity are similar at any age:

anxiety;
restlessness;
delayed speech development;
irritability and tearfulness;
poor sleep;
stubbornness;
inattention;
impulsiveness.

In newborns

Hyperactivity in infants under one year of age is indicated by restlessness and increased physical activity in the crib; the brightest toys arouse short-term interest in them. When examined, such children often exhibit stigmata of disembryogenesis, including epicanthal folds, abnormal structure of the auricles and their low location, gothic palate, cleft lip, and cleft palate.

In children aged 2-3 years

Parents most often begin to notice manifestations of this condition from the age of 2 or even earlier. The child is characterized by increased capriciousness.

Already at the age of 2, mom and dad see that it is difficult to interest the baby in something, he is distracted from the game, spins in his chair, and is in constant motion. Usually such a child is very restless and noisy, but sometimes a 2-year-old baby surprises with his silence and lack of desire to come into contact with parents or peers.

Child psychologists believe that sometimes such behavior precedes the appearance of motor and speech disinhibition. At two years old, parents may observe signs of aggression in the child and a reluctance to obey adults, ignoring their requests and demands.

From the age of 3, manifestations of egoistic traits become noticeable. The child strives to dominate his peers in group games, provokes conflict situations, and disturbs everyone.

In preschoolers

Preschooler hyperactivity often manifests itself as impulsive behavior. Such children interfere in the conversations and affairs of adults and do not know how to play group games. Especially painful for parents are the hysterics and whims of a 5-6-year-old child in crowded places, his violent expression of emotions in the most inappropriate environment.

Preschool children show restlessness, they do not pay attention to comments made, interrupt, and shout down their peers. It is completely useless to reprimand and scold a 5-6 year old for hyperactivity; he simply ignores information and does not learn the rules of behavior well. Any activity captivates him for a short time, he is easily distracted.

Varieties

Behavioral disorder, which often has a neurological background, can occur in different ways.

Attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity

This disorder is characterized by the following behavioral features:

listened to the task, but could not repeat it, immediately forgetting the meaning of what was said;
cannot concentrate and complete an assignment, although he understands what his task is;
does not listen to the interlocutor;
does not respond to comments.

Hyperactivity without attention deficit disorder

This disorder is characterized by the following symptoms: fussiness, verbosity, increased motor activity, and the desire to be in the center of events. Also characterized by frivolity of behavior, a tendency to take risks and adventures, which often creates life-threatening situations.

Hyperactivity with attention deficit disorder

It is referred to in the medical literature as ADHD. We can talk about such a syndrome if the child has the following behavioral characteristics:

cannot concentrate on completing a specific task;
abandons the work he started without finishing it;
selective attention, unstable;
negligence, inattention in everything;
does not pay attention to addressed speech, ignores offers of help in completing a task if it causes him difficulties.

Impaired attention and hyperactivity at any age make it difficult to organize your work, complete a task accurately and correctly, without being distracted by external interference. In everyday life, hyperactivity and attention deficit lead to forgetfulness and frequent loss of belongings.

Attention disorder with hyperactivity is fraught with difficulties when following even the simplest instructions. Such children are often in a hurry and commit rash acts that can harm themselves or others.

Possible consequences

At any age, this behavioral disorder interferes with social contacts. Due to hyperactivity, preschool children attending kindergarten have difficulty participating in group games with peers and communicating with them and teachers. Therefore, visiting kindergarten becomes a daily psychological trauma, which can adversely affect the further development of the individual.

Schoolchildren's academic performance suffers; going to school only brings negative emotions. The desire to study, to learn new things disappears, teachers and classmates are annoying, contact with them has only a negative connotation. The child withdraws into himself or becomes aggressive.

A child's impulsive behavior sometimes poses a threat to his health. This is especially true for children who break toys, have conflicts, and fight with other children and adults.

If you do not seek help from a specialist, a person may develop a psychopathic personality type with age. Hyperactivity in adults usually begins in childhood. One in five children with this disorder continue to have symptoms into adulthood.

The following features of hyperactivity are often observed:

tendency to aggression towards others (including parents);
suicidal tendencies;
inability to participate in dialogue and make a constructive joint decision;
lack of skills in planning and organizing one’s own work;
forgetfulness, frequent loss of necessary things;
refusal to solve problems that require mental effort;
fussiness, verbosity, irritability;
fatigue, tearfulness.

Diagnostics

The child's attention deficit and hyperactivity become noticeable to parents from an early age, but the diagnosis is made by a neurologist or psychologist. Usually, hyperactivity in a 3-year-old child, if it occurs, is no longer in doubt.

Diagnosing hyperactivity is a multi-step process. Anamnesis data is collected and analyzed (the course of pregnancy, childbirth, the dynamics of physical and psychomotor development, illnesses suffered by the child). The specialist is interested in the opinion of the parents themselves about the child’s development, assessment of his behavior at 2 years old, at 5 years old.

The doctor needs to find out how the adaptation to kindergarten went. During the reception, parents should not pull the child back or make comments to him. It is important for the doctor to see his natural behavior. If the child has reached the age of 5, a child psychologist will conduct tests to determine attentiveness.

The final diagnosis is made by a neurologist and child psychologist after receiving the results of electroencephalography and MRI of the brain. These examinations are necessary to exclude neurological diseases, which may result in impaired attention and hyperactivity.

Laboratory methods are also important:

determining the presence of lead in the blood to exclude intoxication;
biochemical blood test for thyroid hormones;
Complete blood count to rule out anemia.

Special methods can be used: consultations with an ophthalmologist and audiologist, psychological testing.

Treatment

If a diagnosis of hyperactivity is made, complex therapy is necessary. It includes medical and pedagogical activities.

Educational work

Specialists in child neurology and psychology will explain to parents how to deal with their child’s hyperactivity. Kindergarten teachers and school teachers also need to have relevant knowledge. They must teach parents the correct behavior with their child and help them overcome difficulties in communicating with him. Specialists will help the student master relaxation and self-control techniques.

Changes in terms and conditions

You need to praise and encourage your child for any successes and good deeds. Emphasize positive character traits and support any positive endeavors. You can keep a diary with your child to record all his achievements. In a calm and friendly tone, talk about the rules of behavior and communication with others.

From the age of 2, the baby must get used to the daily routine, sleep, eat and play at certain times.

From the age of 5, it is advisable for him to have his own living space: a separate room or a corner fenced off from the common area. There should be a calm environment in the house; quarrels between parents and scandals are unacceptable. It is advisable to transfer the student to a class with fewer students.

To reduce hyperactivity at 2-3 years old, children need a sports corner (wall bars, children's parallel bars, rings, rope). Exercise and games will help relieve stress and expend energy.

What parents should not do:

constantly pull back and scold, especially in front of strangers;
humiliate the child with mocking or rude remarks;
constantly speak strictly to the child, give instructions in a commanding tone;
prohibit something without explaining to the child the reason for your decision;
give too difficult tasks;
demand exemplary behavior and only excellent grades at school;
carry out household chores that were assigned to the child if he did not complete them;
accustom to the idea that the main task is not to change behavior, but to receive a reward for obedience;
use methods of physical coercion in case of disobedience. Read more about the impact of physical punishment on children →

Drug therapy

Drug treatment of hyperactivity syndrome in children plays only a supporting role. It is prescribed when there is no effect from behavioral therapy and special training.

The drug Atomoxetine is used to eliminate the symptoms of ADHD, but its use is only possible as prescribed by a doctor; there are undesirable effects. Results appear after about 4 months of regular use.

If the baby is diagnosed with this, he may also be prescribed psychostimulants. They are used in the morning. In severe cases, tricyclic antidepressants are used under medical supervision.

Games with hyperactive children

Even with board and quiet games, the hyperactivity of a 5-year-old child is noticeable. He constantly attracts the attention of adults with erratic and aimless body movements. Parents need to spend more time with their baby and communicate with him. Cooperative games are very useful.

It is effective to alternate calm board games - lotto, putting together puzzles, checkers, with outdoor games - badminton, football. Summer provides many opportunities to help a child with hyperactivity.

During this period, you should strive to provide your child with country holidays, long hikes, and teach swimming. During walks, talk more with your child, tell him about plants, birds, and natural phenomena.

Nutrition

Parents need to make adjustments to their diet. The diagnosis made by specialists implies the need to adhere to meal times. The diet should be balanced, the amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates should correspond to the age norm.

It is advisable to exclude fried, spicy and smoked foods, and carbonated drinks. Eat less sweets, especially chocolate, increase the amount of vegetables and fruits you consume.

Hyperactivity at school age

Increased hyperactivity in school-age children forces parents to seek medical help. After all, school makes completely different demands on a growing person than preschool institutions. He must remember a lot, gain new knowledge, and solve complex problems. The child is required to be attentive, persevering, and able to concentrate.

Study problems

Attention deficit and hyperactivity are noticed by teachers. The child is distracted during the lesson, physically active, does not respond to comments, and interferes with the lesson. The hyperactivity of younger schoolchildren at 6-7 years old leads to the fact that children do not learn the material well and do their homework carelessly. Therefore, they constantly receive criticism for poor performance and bad behavior.

Teaching children with hyperactivity often becomes a serious problem. A real struggle begins between such a child and the teacher, since the student does not want to comply with the teacher’s demands, and the teacher fights for discipline in the class.

Problems with classmates

It is difficult to adapt to a group of children; it is difficult to find a common language with peers. The student begins to withdraw into himself and becomes secretive. In group games or discussions, he stubbornly defends his point of view, without listening to the opinions of others. At the same time, he often behaves rudely and aggressively, especially if people do not agree with his opinion.

Correction of hyperactivity is necessary for the child’s successful adaptation to the children’s group, good learning ability and further socialization. It is important to examine the baby at an early age and provide timely professional treatment. But in any case, parents must realize that most of all the child needs understanding and support.

Useful video about raising hyperactive children

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Symptoms of hyperactivity in a child

Already from the age of 3 years, the child demonstrates miracles of activity - opening and closing cabinets, running around the house, scattering things and grabbing everything that aroused interest. This is because the possibilities of mastering the world around us have expanded with the development of walking. But should every such activity cause concern for parents?

At the end of the article, we have prepared for you a checklist “Logic and thinking games for children under 5 years old.” Download it and find out the most interesting intellectual games for children from 2 to 5 years old!

Experts believe that hyperactivity in a 3-year-old child can be suspected when:

delayed speech development;
increased stubbornness, uncontrollability, lack of response to prohibitions;
chaotic movements, “motor clumsiness”;
excessive motor activity (sitting on a chair, the child spins, jumps up, constantly moves his arms and legs);
inattention, lack of perseverance, forgetfulness;
frequent transition from one unfinished task to another;
hot temper, hysteria, instability, tendency to conflicts with peers;
headaches, appearance of phobias (fears);
bad dream.

If a child has more than 6 of these signs, it is worth contacting a psychotherapist or pediatric neurologist for professional diagnosis.

Hyperactivity in children 5 years old can be caused not only by mental disorders. The following factors should also suggest that there is a problem:

Unfavorable course of pregnancy (stress, smoking, hypoxia, poor maternal nutrition)
Unfavorable labor (rapid or, on the contrary, prolonged, labor after stimulation, prematurity - up to 38 weeks)
The presence of neurological diseases in a child, conflicts in the family, excessive severity towards the child, poor nutrition, lead poisoning.

Hyperactive child. What to do?

Treatment of hyperactivity in children 3, 4, 5 and 6 years old is carried out with medicinal and non-medicinal means. In any case, at this age, when a diagnosis is made, therapy is prescribed only by a doctor.

The main methods for correcting hyperactivity in a child 5 years old and younger are:

sessions with a psychologist and speech therapist. Specialists will help reduce anxiety, develop speech, memory, attention, and also choose activities in which the child will feel confident.
ban on participation in competitive games. A hyperactive child of 3, 4, 5 or 6 years old may be recommended swimming, cycling and other static exercises;
relaxation sessions in order to normalize the functioning of the central nervous system;
behavioral correction. Within reason, prohibitions and refusals are minimized. Such kids have a high threshold for negative emotions, so it is better to create positive emotions for them and do not forget to praise them for their successes;
family psychotherapy. Establishing a calm atmosphere in the family;
drug therapy. This method is most often used in particularly advanced cases when other methods do not help or help little.

What should parents of a hyperactive child aged 3, 4, 5 and 6 do?

If the methods listed above need to be entrusted to specialists, then parents can use the following methods on their own to help a child aged 3-6 years cope with the problem.

Use a positive parenting model. Praise your child more often, encourage even the smallest successes. Bans are permissible only in cases where the safety of the child is at stake. Find an area of activity in which your child can successfully demonstrate his abilities and feel important.
Create a daily routine for your baby. It is necessary to write down instructions in it - wash the dishes, make the bed, take out the trash, help mom with cleaning, etc. The mode should also indicate a clear time for watching cartoons and games. Don't let your child get overstimulated. The baby should also go to bed at the same time. Moreover, the main thing is to follow all these rules, otherwise they will simply be devalued. Let the baby learn order and measured actions; this is especially important at primary school age.
Make requests to your child calmly, without orders or shouting. Learn to control yourself even when your nerves are at their limit, because you are a role model. Also teach your child to think about the consequences of his actions. Let him learn the rules of behavior and begin to follow them.
Spend more time with your baby. After all, defiant behavior is often associated precisely with the desire to attract the attention of parents who are too busy with work or housework.

If a child’s hyperactivity appeared at the age of 3 years, then by the age of 5 and 6 years it can be quite successfully dealt with with the support of parents and timely therapy.

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