Is your child hyperactive? Does he have trouble paying attention and talks non-stop? Does he have a hard time controlling his actions?
If you answered ‘Yes’ to all of the above, then your child may well have ADHD and you could very well be responsible for it. A research by Erica Musser, assistant professor of psychology at Florida International University, studied 515 families over a period of three years.
This study also included 69 percent children (aged between 7 and 11 years- with and without ADHD), who were male, 79 percent who were white and 75 percent who lived in two-parent homes.
She made the following interesting observations about ADHD in children:
- About 30 percent had the inattentive type of ADHD
- About 70 percent had the combined inattentive hyperactive type ADHD
She attributed this number to parents’ level of criticism and emotional involvement. For the purpose of the study, the participating parents were questioned about their relationship with their child and they were judged on the basis of their negative comments about them, and their emotional over-involvement with the child.
This study has once again put the onus back on the discussion of the effect of overprotective parenting and its relationship with ADHD in children.
ADHD in children: symptoms for identification
Garima Garg, clinical psychologist, ePsyClinic.com, spoke to theIndusparent.com about the issue. In order for parents to deal ADHD in children, they must identify the following symptoms, she says:
- Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish schoolwork or chores
- Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
- Has trouble organising tasks and activities
- Loses things necessary for tasks and activities
- Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to do tasks that require mental effort over a long period of time (such as schoolwork or homework)
- Fidgets with or taps hands or feet, or squirms in seat
- Has trouble waiting his turn
- Is easily distracted and forgetful
- Leaves seat in situations when remaining seated is expected.
- Runs about or climbs in situations where it is not appropriate
- Unable to play or take part in leisure activities quietly
- Is often ‘on the go’ acting as if ‘driven by a motor’
- Talks excessively
- Blurts out an answer before a question has been completed
- Interrupts or intrudes on others
Once identified, parents must seek professional help, but at the same time work on their own relationship with the child. You could also try the following ways:
- Try alternative therapies such as art therapy, music therapy or even dance therapy to keep the child occupied and increase focus.
- Give him shorter instructions and goals to fulfill.
- Ask your children to spend more time outside and engage in physical activities. This is to reduce aggression or any kind of destructive behavior.
- Give him fewer sugar-based snacks to tone down the high energy levels. This will not only calm him down but also restrict the intake of unhealthy food.
By trying these simple at-home remedies you can bring about more focus and creative engagement in your child and deal with ADHD positively.
Read: Here's how you can keep the romance alive after the kids arrive
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