Understanding ADHD
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What is ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition defined by a consistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactive impulsivity which interferes with daily living in at least two life domains such as home or school.
What causes ADHD?
The exact cause of ADHD is unknown however, there seems to be a strong genetic link as ADHD appears to run in families. Other environmental factors thought to lead to ADHD include:
Exposure to pesticides or lead in early childhood
Premature birth of low birth weight
Brain injury Prenatal exposure to drugs and/or alcohol
Lack of early attachment Childhood PTSD.
Types of ADHD
There are three sub-types of ADHD recognised by the American Psychiatric Society in the diagnostic guide, the DSM-V. For an ADHD diagnosis an individual needs to display 6 of the 9 symptoms listed under a type. A person with a diagnosis of a combined type will display 6 or more symptoms of both types.
Primarily Inattentive
Careless mistakes
Short attention span
Poor listening skills
No follow-through
Disorganisation, 'Laziness' or, 'apathy'
Misplacing things
Distractability
Forgetfulness.
Primarily Hyperactive-Impulsive
Fidgety
Frequently moving
Restless
Noisy
Always on the go
Talkative
Impulsive reactions
Struggles to wait their turn
Disruptive.
Symptoms of ADHD
There are clear behaviours that we see from children with ADHD but, the disorder is much more complex than just 'surface' issues. There are many less overt, but no less problematic, issues that accompany ADHD.
ADHD or Trauma?
It is recognised that there is overlap between the symptoms of ADHD and childhood trauma.
ADHD
Difficulty sustaining attention
Struggling to follow instructions
Difficulty with organisation
Fidgeting or squirming
Difficulty waiting or taking turns
Talking excessively
Losing things necessary for tasks or activities
Interrupting or intruding upon others.
Trauma
Feelings of fear, helplessness, uncertainty, vulnerability
Increased arousal, edginess and agitation
Avoidance of reminders of trauma
Irritability, quick to anger
Feelings of shame
Dissociation, feelings of unreality or being 'outside ones body'
Continually feeling on alert for threat or danger
Unusually reckless, aggressive or self-destructive behaviours.
Overlap (both trauma and ADHD)
Difficulty concentrating and learning in school
Easily distracted
Often doesn't seem to listen
Disorganisation
Hyperactive
Restlessness
Difficulty sleeping.
What can I do?
Discipline Framework
Be clear and proactive.
Be consistent with the rules you enforce.
Talk about rights, rules and limits often.
Use encouragement and support for broken rules.
Instil a sense of social responsibility.
Sleep
Consult a medical professional
Record symptomology in a sleep diary
Limit caffeine and large meals before bed
Practice good sleep habits
Restrict sleep to bedtime
Keep the bedroom cool and dark
Medication
Weighted blankets.
Routine
Structure in a child's day to day life allows them to feel secure, ADHD or not
Supporting children in a routine will increase confidence and productivity
A household routine gives ownership over his/her responsibilities
Collaborative family rules
Therapeutic parenting style
Homework completed as soon as they get home to prevent fatigue
Balance screen time
Use a timer for tasks scheduling breaks
Use goal setting and reinforce with rewards.
Behaviour Support Plans
If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, you'll likely work with a health professional to develop a behavioural support plan. Implementing positive behaviour support strategies help increase cooperative behaviour and reduce challenging behaviours.
These usually cover a combination of:
Behaviour Support Strategies
Therapeutic approaches
Medication.
While all 3 of these are effective strategies, used in conjunction with one another they can provide optimal long term results.
