GUIDE FOR ADHD IN CHILDREN

a guide for adhd in children what it is how to spot it hoW to help

ADHD is a brain disorder that affects 11% of children between the ages of 4 and 17. Until recently very little was understood about ADHD and the effects it has on development and behavior.

What is clear, however, is that it can be seriously debilitating, something which a child struggles to come to terms with.

It’s a lifelong condition which needs to be recognized, accepted and handled with patience and compassion.

AD ADHD is a condition that disrupts the processing of information in the brain. This is a serious problem that not only has a negative impact on the child, but also the family and education enviroment.

Three main types of ADHD can be identified.

HD Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

PREDOMINANTLY INATTENTIVE Lack of attention may be interpreted as lack of motivation or passivity. Children with this subtype can go unnoticed, they tend to be very quiet and are often overlooked. They may have difficulties getting along with other children.

PREDOMINANTLY HYPERACTIVEIMPULSIVE Restless and impulsive behaviour and innappropriate actions are predominant without regard for consequences.

COMBINED TYPE This group exhibit the symptoms of both conditions. Most children who are diagnosed with ADHD fall into this category.

Children with ADHD want to sit quietly; they want to be organized; they want to do everything they are told to do.

But they don´t know how to make these things happen. It´s like wanting to see all these dots in white at once. You want to, but you cant´t.

SPOTTING ADHD

In order to be able to help children with ADHD, it is essential to be able to spot the symptoms. Some are more obvious than others and not all children have all of them. Here are some of the more predominant symptoms.

spotting adhd

SPOTTING ADHD

People with ADHD manifest symptoms of inattention mainly because they can´t stay focused for a long period of time, especially when the activity isn´t engaging or dynamic. Easy distractions, boredom, and focusing on something different may happen frequently.

SPOTTING ADHD

Organizational skills are often poor or chaotic. A child with ADHD has trouble maintaining an organized workspace and may lose or misplace objects, leading to more disorganization. A clean and organized workspace is important for a child with ADHD to help them stay focused and organized.

SPOTTING ADHD

A child with ADHD may rush through a piece of work, missing questions he knows the answer to or skipping sections in his haste and making careless mistakes.

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SPOTTING ADHD

They may have difficulties completing tasks, even ones that seem relatively simple.

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SPOTTING ADHD

Excessive talking may be another symptom, saying the first thing that pops into his or her head. Impulsivity may cause a child to speak out without realizing that it might not be the best time, and this may offend or annoy others. Speaking out of turn is inappropriate behavior.

SPOTTING ADHD

Children who have ADHD are predisposed to a quick temper, even if there is absolutely no reason for it and it is completely out of context. Low self esteem or hypersensitivity to criticism may be the reason for this unexpected behavior.

SPOTTING ADHD

Many people misinterpret ADHD’ers lack of focus as lack of interest. These children will get frustrated by their inability to pay attention, specially when it´s important for them to be focused.

Day dreaming is a constant symptom.

SPOTTING ADHD

Up to 50 percent of children and 80 percent of adults with ADHD have problems going to sleep, staying asleep, getting restful sleep, and getting up the next morning. Be patient, specially first thing in the morning.

SPOTTING ADHD

Many children with ADHD are in constant motion. Hyperactivity makes it difficult for them to control this impulse. You can tell them to sit still but within minutes they´ll be at it again. Movement exercises, alternate high and low energy lessons and being able to recognize the child’s breaking point, will help provide a better group dynamic.

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SPOTTING ADHD

Forgetfulness is another symptom of ADHD, not to be confused with rudness or laziness. Reminders, for example, note pads, apps, alarms may be helpful.

SPOTTING ADHD

Being able to relax and chill out is not always easy for the ADHD child. Because they are constantly on the go, they struggle to switch off .

SPOTTING ADHD

Academic and social failure may lead to poor motivation and low selfesteem. 50% of children with learning disabilities have low self-esteem.

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SPOTTING ADHD

As a consequence of their behaviour, ADHD children may feel left out in a social context. Because the child can’t handle his/her emotions, he or she may create odd or awkward social situations, which others in the group don’t understand and the ADHD child will feel left out and different.

SPOTTING ADHD

ADHD children are often victims of bullying or teasing because of their innapropriate or irritating behaviour.

SPOTTING ADHD

Because of their often inappropriate behaviour, children with ADHD often have difficulty making and maintaining friends.

GROUP DYNAMIC

Here are some practical tips to use in group activities which will promote not just the well being of the ADHD child, but the health of the group dynamic.

GROUP DYNAMIC

Recognising an ADHD child´s achivements may not always be easy and may even be taken for granted. It´s essential to motivate the child and to make them feel proud. This will boost their self esteem and help strengthen the relationship with the monitor. Positive feedback is essential.

GROUP DYNAMIC

Children with ADHD may avoid eye contact, it may make them feel uncomfortable, and for this reason, they are more likely to get lost in a conversation or explication. Making eye contact promotes empathy which helps to maintain the conversation, leading to a boost in confidence.

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GROUP DYNAMIC

Keeping things simple will help the ADHD sufferer. Also a clear structure will help.

By doing so the child can focus on what is important or what is being asked of him/her.

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GROUP DYNAMIC

Make the classes interesting and appealing by providing attractive information. Use colour coding, colored paper, visuals, anything that makes the information more appealing and dynamic. Black and white can be interpreted as boring. Underline and circle important things to remember.

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GROUP DYNAMIC

Set clear and attainable targets that don´t take too long to reach. Reaching the target will make the individual feel useful, capeable and proud.

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GROUP DYNAMIC

Frequent breaks are essential to charge the batteries, to let off steam and to allow information to be assimilated.

GROUP DYNAMIC

Routine gives structure to the day.

Repeating a routine promotes security and boosts self confidence. If something out of the blue happens the framework of the routine will provide comfort.

GROUP DYNAMIC

Echo directions. Repeat loud and clear instructions several times to encourage the ADHD child to grasp all the information, without addressing them directly and therefore not picking them out.

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GROUP DYNAMIC

Collaborating in small groups develops social skills and allows each student to reach his or her academic potential.

Groups requiring help can be more easily identified.

GROUP DYNAMIC

A reward system will help motivate a child. Be generous.

GROUP DYNAMIC

Like having a routine, listing tasks to be completed provides structure and therefore security. It also helps the child know where to focus his or her attention.

GROUP DYNAMIC

Flexible work locations don´t only benefit ADHD children, moving to different locations can “reset” the brain when bored.

This can benefit all students and also generates a better work environment.

DIFFERENT WORK

LOCATIONS

GROUP DYNAMIC

Encourage the ADHD child to move around as much as possible during break periods - going to the toilet, running outside or whatever physical exercise will reduce hyperactivity and promote concentration for the next class.Try and introduce movement into lesson plans.

GROUP DYNAMIC

Because of their inability to concentrate, children with ADHD find academic work difficult. It´s very important, therefore, to give equal importance to non academic work- drawing, painting, music, theatre, crafts etc.

GROUP DYNAMIC

Background music or noises like a fan can help some children focus. The music or noise would have to be quite silent, just enough to create ambience in the classroom or workspace.

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Douglas Robertson Barcelona 2016