Children are usually restless by nature. They run around, up on furniture and places they shouldn't. But if, in addition to hyperactivity, your child exhibits behaviors such as inattention, impulsiveness, difficulty concentrating and lack of memory, be aware that this child may suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Pediatrician, member of the Rio Grande do Sul Pediatric Society (SPRS), Ricardo Halper, explains that? ADHD It is a neurochemical disorder of genetic origin that is characterized by a reduced ability to concentrate and focus; impulsivity and hyperactivity.
To diagnose a child with the disorder it is necessary that a medical team, preferably made up of psychiatrists, psychologists and child therapists, find clues and grouped factors of ADHD symptoms.
• Carefully evaluate the duration of symptoms of inattention hyperactivity and impulsivity; the frequency and intensity of symptoms; their persistence in all environments the child attends and the clinically significant impairment in her life. Only the analysis of these circumstances can determine the diagnosis and indicate the correct treatment? Warns the expert.
For the expert, from small to children with ADHD show some of the signs which indicate the disorder and it is possible to trace a history of their recurrence. In addition, it is necessary to assess the appearance of these symptoms in isolation. "Symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity, presented in isolation, may be the result of problems in children's relationships with parents and friends, inadequate education systems, or even being associated with other disorders commonly encountered in childhood and adolescence." explains the pediatrician.
Once diagnosed, the child needs follow-up and a proper treatment, to prevent the disorder from causing relationship problems, low self-esteem or poor school performance.
An effective treatment is called multimodal, meaning it needs several simultaneous approaches to get the best result. Behavioral and pedagogical modifications are made at school; psychoeducation for the family and patient, and finally the use of specific medications ?, explains Halper.
Knowledge and understanding
At home, parents and close family members need to avoid judgments and attitudes of the child, and as an aid, seek to understand the patient's difficulties and organize a routine that can help. ? The most important thing is to recognize that the child does not do it willingly, but because often can not, has a limitation. Some parents take these provocative attitudes and see it as a behavior problem, not a disease, what is it?
The pediatrician also indicates that family members seek reliable information about the disorder and seek answers to questions with specialized professionals. He warns of the various unscientific information circulating in many places.
If treated properly and regularly, the ADHD patient can have a normal adult life as he learns to cope with his own difficulties as well as his abilities.
ADHD: What parents need to know about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (May 2024)
- Children and adolescents
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