ADHD in Children: A Guide for Parents

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ADHD in Children: A Guide for Parents

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a condition common among children, is marked by a persistent pattern of inattention (i.e., attention deficit), hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It is a long-term condition that frequently persists into adolescence and adulthood.

Does your child have ADHD? Consult an ADHD specialist in Abu Dhabi or elsewhere, and this is what they’ll tell you: Isolated instances of restlessness or distraction are common among the general population, including children. However, ADHD is distinct in its intensity and frequency.

ADHD Symptoms and Presentation Types

If your child is particularly inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive, have them assessed by a medical professional. Before a diagnosis can be made, the doctor will evaluate your child to ascertain if ADHD-associated symptoms occur often and are present to a degree that disrupts the child’s function across multiple settings, such as at home, in school, or in social gatherings.

ADHD symptoms typically manifest before age 12, although they can appear as early as age three. In ADHD, the behaviors are chronic; they do not simply resolve as the child grows. Symptoms may be mild to severe, but they generally fall into two primary categories: inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity.

Inattention Symptoms

Individuals with predominantly inattentive behaviors often struggle with focus and organization. Specific indicators include:

• Finds it difficult to focus: Frequently unable to keep attention on tasks and play; easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli.
• Finds it difficult to complete tasks: Starts tasks but gets quickly sidetracked and fails to finish chores and schoolwork.
• Neglects the small details: Makes careless mistakes in schoolwork or other activities, often neglecting specific details.
• Disorganized: Has trouble managing time, organizing tasks, and keeping belongings in order.
• Dislikes mental exertion: Exhibits a reluctance or dislike for tasks requiring sustained mental exertion (e.g., homework or complex work projects).
• Forgetful: Frequently forgets daily activities, such as doing chores or running errands.
• Easily loses items: Often misplaces tools necessary for tasks, such as books and pencils.
• Appears unresponsive: Often seems not to listen even when spoken to directly.
• Likes daydreaming: May daydream frequently.

Hyperactivity and Impulsivity Symptoms

This category of ADHD is defined by excessive energy, movement, and a lack of inhibition. Specific behaviors include:

• Moves excessively: Fidgets, taps hands or feet, jumps, squirms.
• Can’t stay seated: Frequently gets up, even when remaining seated is expected, such as in a classroom or during meals.
• Behaves inappropriately: Runs or climbs in improper situations.
• Talks excessively: Talks far more than is considered typical.
• Plays noisily: Struggles to engage in leisure activities or play in silence.
• Impatient: Has trouble waiting for their turn.
• Tends to interrupt: Intrudes on others’ conversations, games, or activities; often blurts out answers before a question is completed.
• Engages in risky behavior: May take unnecessary risks or struggle to resist temptation.

The Three Presentations of ADHD

Based on which symptoms are most prevalent, ADHD can be classified into three types:

• Predominantly inattentive: The individual mainly exhibits deficits in focus, organization, and attention to detail.
• Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive: The individual is characterized primarily by excessive energy, disruptive behavior, and acting without regard for consequences.
• Combined: The individual meets the criteria for both the inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive types.

A Multimodal Approach to Treating ADHD in Children

Effective ADHD management typically involves a combination of strategies rather than a single method. The following may be used to reduce symptoms and improve daily functioning among children:

Neurofeedback Therapy: Training the Brain

Neurofeedback therapy, a popular ADHD treatment in Abu Dhabi, utilizes the brain’s ability to learn and heal itself through operant conditioning, a process where behavior is modified by consequences.

How It Works: Your neurofeedback therapist will attach electroencephalogram (EEG) sensors to the child’s scalp to monitor real-time brainwave activity. The goal here is to make the brain “aware” of its brainwave activity.

When the system detects a desirable brainwave pattern, the audio and video in the movie your child is watching (or the game they’re playing) become clearer, serving as an immediate sensory reward for the positive brain activity. This serves as an instant brain biofeedback mechanism, and through repetition, the brain learns to replicate these desirable patterns without conscious prompting. This effectively trains the brain to control its focus and regulation.

Medication

Medication, especially stimulants, may be used to treat ADHD in children as young as six. However, medication is not the primary recommendation for children.  Medical practitioners typically recommend using medication only after trying behavior therapy.

Psychotherapy or Talk Therapy

Psychotherapy, specifically behavior therapy, is critical for increasing self-regulation skills. The goal is to strengthen positive behaviors while eliminating disruptive ones.

Parent Education and Training

For children under 6, parent training in behavior management is crucial. This education equips parents with specific strategies to structure daily life, such as creating routines and managing distractions, which has been shown to be as effective as medication for young children.

Managing ADHD Symptoms and Living With ADHD

ADHD is defined by a chronic, disruptive pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that impairs a child’s ability to function across multiple settings. It manifests in three distinct presentations: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, or a combination of the former two, and it often persists into adulthood.

ADHD has no cure. However, ADHD symptoms can be managed through a combination of strategies, which may include parents’ education, talk therapy, neurofeedback therapy, and medication.

AUTHOR BIO

Jinky Elizan is a content specialist at SEO Sherpa – Global Best Large SEO Agency Winner, focusing on SEO, PPC, Digital PR, and Search Everywhere Optimization. She has 19 years of experience crafting long-form content on various topics, including ADHD and neurofeedback therapy. She also develops WordPress websites in her spare time, enhancing her ability to optimize website copy for reader engagement and action.