Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Understanding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
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‘I always worry when I go to pick John up from school. It seems every day some problem has arisen. I feel people think I’m just a bad parent.’ ‘To try and get Manjeet to do her homework and hand it in, in a presentable form, can take all night. We often get comments from the school on how messy her work is, but she does try so hard.’ ‘Ben is so unpredictable; one minute he will be in a good mood, and the next he will be shouting at his sister. When we have other children around, he will act very silly, and then boss them about.’ ‘I don't care what you call the problem, my child needs help.’
These children can have severe behavioural problems with difficulties paying attention and controlling activity levels, and they may or may not have learning difficulties. This booklet describes the behaviour and gives an overview of the various theories about ADHD. It suggests what can be done to help, and the practical steps that parents, teachers and other carers can take.
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What is ADHD? Many parents worry about how their child is behaving, from time to time, but untamed behaviour is a normal part of growing up. The difference between this and ADHD is how extreme it is. Children with ADHD usually behave in the same challenging way, wherever they are and whoever they’re with. Unless they get the special help they need, ADHD can be damaging to them, to their family, and to their future. Children can be very young when problems start. Parents often describe their children as being ‘motor driven’. They will be restless, on the go the whole time, often very clumsy and always asking for attention.
2
In the first two years of school, teachers will find them untidy, disorganised and forgetful. As time goes on, they may also find that the child finds it hard to sit still or stick to one task, and that learning and writing is very challenging for them, because they are so easily distracted. Children with
1
‘I always worry when I go to pick John up from school. It seems every day some problem has arisen. I feel people think I’m just a bad parent.’ ‘To try and get Manjeet to do her homework and hand it in, in a presentable form, can take all night. We often get comments from the school on how messy her work is, but she does try so hard.’ ‘Ben is so unpredictable; one minute he will be in a good mood, and the next he will be shouting at his sister. When we have other children around, he will act very silly, and then boss them about.’ ‘I don't care what you call the problem, my child needs help.’
These children can have severe behavioural problems with difficulties paying attention and controlling activity levels, and they may or may not have learning difficulties. This booklet describes the behaviour and gives an overview of the various theories about ADHD. It suggests what can be done to help, and the practical steps that parents, teachers and other carers can take.
?
What is ADHD? Many parents worry about how their child is behaving, from time to time, but untamed behaviour is a normal part of growing up. The difference between this and ADHD is how extreme it is. Children with ADHD usually behave in the same challenging way, wherever they are and whoever they’re with. Unless they get the special help they need, ADHD can be damaging to them, to their family, and to their future. Children can be very young when problems start. Parents often describe their children as being ‘motor driven’. They will be restless, on the go the whole time, often very clumsy and always asking for attention.
2
In the first two years of school, teachers will find them untidy, disorganised and forgetful. As time goes on, they may also find that the child finds it hard to sit still or stick to one task, and that learning and writing is very challenging for them, because they are so easily distracted. Children with