ShutterstockĪDHD: claims we're diagnosing immature behaviour make it worse for those affected The first thing to know is these stimulants wear off reasonably quickly - after about four hours. If you’ve got to the end of that road and the child is still having problems, you might consider medication. But children with ADHD often find the effort needed to earn a sticker isn’t worth it and may try to negotiate ever greater rewards. Many such strategies work nicely on children without ADHD. Having a chart for the morning routine can be helpful. Has the parent done parenting classes? Have they tried home strategies rewarding good behaviour, or giving appropriate consequences for problematic behaviour? What other supports could help? Is the child sitting at the front of class? Is the teacher giving written instructions? Do they sit next to a good role model? ![]() ![]() There are also diagnostic criteria that need to be checked. Is this a smart child who doesn’t think they’re smart because they struggle to concentrate long enough to get work done? Do they speak negatively about themselves? It’s important to take self esteem seriously. Their peers may eventually find someone else to play with. They may come across as bossy they find it easier to focus on what’s happening in their own mind but more challenging to listen and process what others say. Is there a significant effect on peer relationships?Ĭhildren with ADHD don’t always have the patience to wait their turn or concentrate on what peers say. Is the parent tearing their hair out with countless reminders and finding every time they check, the child is distracted again?ĭoctors, parents, teachers and the child must work together and regularly ask whether the current approach is actually providing benefit. If a child is working on homework for half an hour, how much time is spent concentrating? Are they focused for only ten minutes and the remainder is spent guiding them back on track? Is this child’s behaviour creating unreasonable levels of stress or disruption at home?Īt home, is the child able to draw, construct with LEGO, do puzzles or play blocks for longish periods of time? Or do they find the sustained effort needed unachievable? Do they then annoy a sibling to make life more interesting, or constantly ask adults to play with them? Obviously, careful judgement is needed to differentiate typical child behaviour from problematic behaviour.ģ. ![]() They might talk in class, create distractions or disrupt class. If a child can’t concentrate in class, they get bored. Is this child’s behaviour creating unreasonable levels of stress or disruption at school?įor a child with ADHD to complete a task, it must be sufficiently interesting, short or easy. Was the child bright as a preschooler but struggled at school for reasons unclear (not, for example, due to vision or hearing problems)? Did they cope OK early in school but didn’t achieve at the level expected when schoolwork got harder?Ģ. Is this child underachieving academically in relation to their ability? Five key questions for parents and children with ADHDġ.
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