ADD and ADHD are two abbreviated terms that refer to children affected by particular behavioural problems. ADD means Attention Deficit Disorder while ADHD is Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. Children are diagnosed with these conditions when they exhibit unusually difficult behaviour at home and at school. ADD/ADHD is believed to affect up to 5% of school aged children and is more prevalent in boys than in girls.
The symptoms of ADD/ADHD are predominantly behavioural. Children are usually described as extremely naughty. They are hyperactive and often act without thinking. They are very often fearless. This is difficult because the child is often at risk of danger. Constantly telling the child off, seems to have little effect. Such children rarely learn from simple scolding. They will quickly revert back to acting up again and will have forgotten about previous reprimands. Children who are mainly hyperactive in this way are referred to as ADHD.
Children might be described as either ADD or ADHD and many are considered to be a combination of both. ADD children are not necessarily hyperactive in their behaviour. Some of them might be quite quiet and some of them could be actually withdrawn. They do however exhibit classic symptoms of failure to focus or pay attention for long periods. Very often they can slip into a dreamy state or appear somewhat unmotivated in their actions.
ADD/ADHD children very regularly have related difficulties with social skills. It is often a problem for them to form normal relationships. Other children are often intimidated by them if their behaviour is excessively loud or overly aggressive. This is exacerbated if the child is unable to recognise ownership of toys or breaks things without compunction. ADD/ADHD children may find that other children grow bored with them easily if they are too withdrawn or unable to interact for any period of time. Parents can help the ADD/ADHD child form proper peer group relationships by intervening and assisting as much as possible with interaction.
Parents should do as much as they can to provide a safe and structured environment for their ADD/ADHD children. They need to be firm in laying down the rules but they need to have a good understanding of the child’s condition. They should try as much as possible not to get into negative cycles with the child. Children that are constantly scolded soon internalise their ‘badness’ as their naughtiness reinforced on a daily basis. Children learn valuable lessons and social skills from the adults around them. It is important to set clear boundaries but it is equally important for the child to know they are also capable of good behaviour.
There is no established scientific cause for ADD/ADHD in children. There is a selection of plausible possibilities that could be at the root of the problem. For example, origins could be during the child’s gestational development. If mothers smoked or were taking street drugs during their pregnancies, they tend to give birth to more children with the condition. The problem could also be hereditary since it has been noted that children with the condition tend to have relatives with it also. There could also be problems in the brain that affect the child’s ability to concentrate or take control of their actions.
It is not always easy to distinguish between ADD/ADHD and normal naughtiness in children. Every child will exhibit behaviour that is associated with the condition during the course of their growing up. It is part of their learning process. A parent need only be concerned if their child’s behaviour is excessive and relentless.
Parents should not feel ashamed or afraid to seek help about their child’s behaviour. The longer ADD/ADHD is left untreated the worse it could become. With professional help the child may be put on medication or they may be sent for behavioural therapy. Very often the treatment involves a combination of the two. If you are concerned that your child may have ADD/ADHD get advice straight away as early diagnosis could make all the difference.
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