Attention deficit in children: signs and correction. ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children

Attention deficit disorder is the most common neurological and behavioral disorder. This deviation is diagnosed in 5% of children. Most common in boys. The disease is considered incurable, in most cases the child simply outgrows it. But the pathology does not disappear without a trace. It is manifested by antisocial behavior, depression, bipolar and other disorders. To avoid this, it is important to timely diagnose attention deficit disorder in children, the signs of which are manifested even in preschool age.

It is very difficult to distinguish between ordinary pampering or bad manners from really serious disorders in mental development. The problem is that many parents do not want to admit that their child is sick. They believe that unwanted behavior will pass with age. But such a trip can lead to serious consequences for the health and psyche of the child.

Attention Deficit Disorder Characterization

This neurological deviation in development began to be studied 150 years ago. Educators and psychologists noticed common symptoms in children with behavioral problems and learning disabilities. This is especially noticeable in a team where it is simply impossible to avoid trouble for a child with such a pathology, because he is emotionally unstable and cannot control himself.

Scientists have identified such problems in a separate group. The pathology was given the name "attention deficit in children." Signs, treatment, causes and effects are still being studied. Doctors, teachers and psychologists are trying to help such children. But while the disease is considered incurable. Does attention deficit appear equally in children? Its signs allow us to distinguish three types of pathology:

1. Just a lack of attention. The child is absent-minded, slow, unable to concentrate on something.
2. Hyperactivity. It is manifested by short temper, impulsiveness and increased motor activity.
3. Mixed view. It occurs most often, so the violation is often called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - ADHD.

Why does such a pathology appear?

Scientists still can not accurately determine the causes of the development of this disease. According to many years of observation, the following factors provoke the appearance of ADHD:

• Genetic predisposition.
• Individual characteristics of the nervous system.
• Bad ecology: polluted air, water, household items. Lead is especially harmful.
• The effects of toxic substances on the body of a pregnant woman: alcohol, drugs, pesticide-contaminated products.
• Complications and pathologies during gestation and labor.
• Injuries or infectious brain damage in early childhood.

By the way, sometimes the pathology can cause an unfavorable psychological situation in the family or an incorrect approach to education.

How to diagnose ADHD?

It is very difficult to diagnose attention deficit in children on time. Signs and symptoms of pathology are clearly noticeable when problems in the child’s learning or behavior are already manifested. Most often, teachers or psychologists suspect the presence of a disorder. Many parents attribute such deviations in behavior to a transitional age. But after examination by a psychologist, attention deficit disorder in children can be diagnosed. It is better for parents to study the signs, treatment methods and behavioral features of such a child in detail. This is the only way to correct behavior and prevent the more serious consequences of pathology in adulthood.

But to confirm the diagnosis, a full examination is necessary. In addition, you should observe the child for at least six months. After all, the symptoms can coincide with various pathologies. First of all, it is necessary to exclude visual and hearing disorders, the presence of brain damage, seizures, developmental delays, the effects of hormonal drugs or poisoning with toxic agents. For this, psychologists, pediatricians, neurologists, gastroenterologists, therapists, speech therapists should participate in the examination of the child . In addition, behavioral disorders can be situational. Therefore, the diagnosis is made only with persistent and regular disorders, manifested for a long time.

Attention deficit in children: signs

How to treat it, scientists have not yet fully figured out. The difficulty is that pathology is difficult to diagnose. After all, her symptoms often coincide with the usual developmental delays and improper upbringing, possibly spoiling the child. But there are certain criteria by which pathology can be identified. There are such signs of attention deficit disorder in children:

1. Constant forgetfulness, failure to fulfill promises and unfinished business.
2. Inability to concentrate.
3. Emotional instability.
4. Missing gaze, self-immersion.
5. The distraction that manifests itself in the fact that the child is constantly losing something.
6. Such children are not able to focus on any one lesson. They do not cope with affairs in which mental effort is required.
7. The child is often distracted.
8. He manifests impaired memory and mental retardation.

Hyperactivity in children

Often, attention deficit disorder is accompanied by increased motor activity and impulsivity. In this case, it is even more difficult to make a diagnosis, since such babies usually do not lag behind in development, and their behavior is taken for bad manners. How in this case is attention deficit manifested in children? Signs of hyperactivity are:

• Excessive talkativeness, inability to listen to the interlocutor.
• Constant restless movements of the feet and hands.
• The child cannot sit still, often jumps up.
• Aimless movements in situations when they are inappropriate. It's about running around, jumping.
• Unceremonious interference in other people's games, conversations, classes.
• Physical activity continues even during sleep.

Such children are impulsive, stubborn, capricious and unbalanced. They lack self-discipline. They cannot control themselves.

Health disorders

Not only in behavior, attention deficit in children is manifested. Signs of it are noticeable in various disorders of mental and physical health. Most often, this is noticeable by the appearance of depression, fears, manic behavior or a nervous tick. The consequences of this disorder are stuttering or enuresis. In children with attention deficit, it will reduce appetite or sleep disturbances. They complain of frequent headaches, fatigue.

The consequences of pathology

Children with such a diagnosis will inevitably have problems in communication, learning, and often in a state of health. People around condemn such a child, considering his deviations in behavior to be whims and bad manners. This often leads to low self-esteem and bitterness. Such children begin to use alcohol, drugs, and smoking early. In adolescence, they exhibit asocial behavior. They often get injured, get into fights. Such adolescents can be cruel to animals and even to people. Sometimes they are even ready to kill. In addition, they often manifest mental disorders.

How does the syndrome manifest in adults?

With age, the symptoms of the pathology subside a little. Many manage to adapt to ordinary life. But most often, signs of pathology persist. There is fussiness, constant anxiety and anxiety, irritability and lowered self-esteem. Relations with people worsen, often patients are in constant depression. Sometimes there are manic disorders that can develop into schizophrenia. Many patients find sedation in alcohol or drugs. Therefore, often a disease leads to complete degradation of a person.

How to treat attention deficit disorder in children?

Signs of pathology can be expressed in different ways. Sometimes the child adjusts and the frustration becomes less noticeable. But in most cases, it is recommended to treat the disease in order to improve the life of not only the patient, but also those around him. Although pathology is considered incurable, certain measures are still being taken. They are selected individually for each child. Most often these methods are:

1. Drug treatment.
2. Correction of behavior.
3. Psychotherapy.
4. A special diet that excludes artificial additives, dyes, allergens and caffeine.
5. Physiotherapeutic procedures - magnetotherapy or transcranial microcurrent stimulation.
6. Alternative treatments are yoga, meditation.

Behavior correction

Now more and more often there is a deficit of attention in children. The signs and correction of this pathology should be known to all adults who communicate with a sick child. It is believed that it is impossible to completely cure the disease, but it is possible to correct the behavior of children and facilitate their adaptation in society. This requires the participation of all the people around the child, especially parents and teachers.

Regular sessions with a psychologist are effective. They will help the child to overcome the desire to act impulsively, to control himself and to properly respond to the insult. For this, various exercises are used, communicative situations are simulated. A relaxation technique that helps relieve stress is very useful. Parents and educators need to constantly encourage the correct behavior of such children. Only a positive reaction will help them remember for a long time how to act.

Drug treatment

Most drugs that can help a child with attention deficit have many side effects. Therefore, such treatment is used infrequently, mainly in advanced cases, with severe neurological and behavioral abnormalities. Most often, psychostimulants and nootropic drugs are prescribed that affect the brain, help normalize attention and improve blood circulation. Antidepressants and sedatives are also used to reduce hyperactivity. The following drugs are the most common medications for treating ADHD: Methylphenidate, Imipramine, Nootropin, Focalin, Cerebrolysin, Dexedrine, Strattera.

Tips for Parents

Together, teachers, psychologists and other specialists can help the child. But the main work falls on the shoulders of the child's parents. This is the only way to overcome the deficit of attention in children. The signs and treatment of pathology for adults must be studied. And in communicating with a child, observe certain rules:

• Spend more time with the baby, play and engage with him.
• Show how much they love him.
• Do not give the child difficult and overwhelming tasks. The explanations should be clear and understandable, and the tasks should be quickly feasible.
• Constantly increase the child’s self-esteem.
• Children with hyperactivity need to play sports.
• It is necessary to observe a strict regime of the day.
• Unwanted behavior of the child must be gently nipped, and the right actions to be encouraged.
• Overfatigue must not be allowed. Children must have enough rest.
• Parents need to remain calm in any situation in order to be an example for the baby.
• For training, it is better to find a school where an individual approach is possible. In some cases, home schooling is possible.

Only an integrated approach to education will help the child adapt to adulthood and overcome the consequences of pathology.