There are many children
affected with attention deficit and hyperactivity
disorder. Now-a-days this case is becoming very common
in clinical practice. Parents are sometimes unable
to control their children and lose their self-control
and feel much embarrassed. The problem results from
restlessness, impulsiveness, hyperactivity and inattentiveness.
It is the hyper-kinetic disorder that often prevents
children from learning and socializing.
What are the symptoms?
Attention
difficulties:
A child must have exhibited at least
six of the following symptoms for about six months
which is unusual for his or her age and level of intelligence.
Often fails to pay close attention to details or makes
errors during work or play.
Often fails to finish assigned works or maintain attention
in play activities.
Often does not seem to listen to what is being said
to him or her.
Often fails to follow instructions or to finish homework.
It is not because of oppositional behaviour or failure
to
understand instructions.
Often disorganized about works and activities.
Often avoids works like homework that require sustained
mental effort.
Often loses things necessary for certain tasks or
activities such as pencils, books or toys.
Often easily gets distracted.
Often be forgetful in the course of daily activities.
Hyperactivity:
A child must have exhibited
at least three of the following symptoms for at least
six months to an extent that is unusual for his or
her age and level of intelligence.
Often runs around or excessively climb up.
Often unduly noisy in playing or has difficultly in
engaging in quiet leisure activities.
Leaves out of seat in classroom or in other situations
where remaining seated is expected.
Often restless with hands or feet or turns in seating.
At least one of the following symptoms must have persisted
at least for six months to an extent that is
unusual
for his or her age and level of intelligence.
Often blurts out answers before the question is completed.
Often fails to wait in lines or for turn in games
or group activities.
Often interrupts or intrudes on others, e.g. butts
into others conversations or games.
What causes
it?
There is rarely
any single cause. A combination of psychological,
biological and environmental factors contributes
to the development of ADHD.
Biological factors
The child's temperament, as this contributes
to the attitude and personality.
Recent research also suggests there is a greater
chance of inheriting the condition from male
relatives such
as grandfathers and uncles.
Brain injuries due to birth trauma or premature-birth
problems. The brain structures believed to be
linked to
the development of ADHD are vulnerable to hypoxic
damage during birth. The damage is caused by
inadequate oxygen to brain when blood flow is
reduced.
Environmental
factors
Family stress.
Educational difficulties.
How
to manage?
Create a daily routine for the child, e.g. homework
schedules, bedtime and mealtime routines.
Be specific in your instructions to the child and
make clear and reasonable requests, e.g. instead of
telling
the child to "behave" suggest "play
quietly with your Lego for the next 10 minutes".
Set clear and easily perceivable boundaries, e.g.
how long they can watch TV and that rudeness is
unacceptable.
Be consistent in handling and managing the child.
Remove disturbing or disruptive elements from their
daily routine. For example, remove brothers or sisters
from the room
when they are doing homework or switch off the TV.
Plan structured programmes aimed at gradual lengthening
of the child's concentration period and ability to
focus on tasks.
Communicate with the child on a one-to-one basis and
avoid addressing other children at the same time.
Use rewards such as stickers, tokens or even money
consistently and frequently to reinforce appropriate
behaviour such as listening to adults
and concentrating.
Discuss with the concerned school and see if you can
work together to help the child to attain normalcy.
.
What is the ideal
treatment?
Usually the hyperactive
children make every parent more anxious. They feel
embarrassed in social gatherings. Sometimes they lose
their temper and would show aggressive behaviour like
beating and punishing the child. Even though punishments
and rewards are helpful in controlling the child,
the social binding breaks down later. It is better
to analyze the child completely to put him with a
suitable similimum. The dynamic homoeopathic remedy
brings harmonious behaviour in the child. I had envied
the inner truth of homoeopathy in dealing with some
children who had been treated for some other acute
problems.