ADD / ADHD la copii – Ghid pentru parinti

Introducere

Este absolut firesc ca uneori, copiii nostrii sa uite de temele de casa, sau sa-si rataceasca
manusile la locul de joaca, sa viseze in timpul orelor sau sa se foiasca la cina. Insa deficitul
de atentie, impulsivitatea si hiperactivitatea pot fi, de asemenea, semnele Tulburarii de
hiperactivitate cu deficit de atentie (ADHD), care poate afecta abilitatea copiilor de a invata si
de a relationa cu ceilalti.
Citeste tot articolul
Ce este ADHD?
Cu totii cunoastem copii care nu pot sa stea linistiti, care par ca nu asculta niciodata, care nu
urmeaza instructiunile, chiar daca acestea le sunt clar explicate, care “trantesc” comentarii
neadecvate la momente neadecvate. Uneori acesti copii sunt catalogati ca problematici, sunt
criticati pentru ca sunt lenesi si indisciplinati. Cu toate astea, este posibil ca acesti copii sa
sufere de Tulburarea de hiperactivitate cu deficit de atentie (ADHD).
ADHD este o tulburare care apare in copilarie, inaintea varstei de 7 ani si persoanele care
sufera de aceasta tulburare nu reusesc sa isi inhibe raspunsurile spontane – reactii care pot
sa implice totul de la miscare, la vorbire, la atentie. Nu as dori sa insist aici pe criteriile de
diagnostic clinic fiindca acest articol se vrea a fi un ghid pentru parinti insa as vrea sa punctez
ca exista trei subtipuri ale acestei tulburari:
Tulburarea de hiperactivitate si deficit de atentie – tipul combinat (cel mai des intalnit, unde
apar simptome atat din sfera hiperactivitatii-impulsivitatii, cat si din sfera inatentiei)
Tulburarea de hiperactivitate si deficit de atentie – tipul predominant inatent (predomina
simptomele de inatentie - ADD)
Tulburarea de hiperactivitate si deficit de atentie – tipul predominant hiperactiv-impulsiv
(predomina simptomele de hiperactivitate-impulsivitate)
Prin urmare, cele trei caracteristici primare ale ADD/ADHD sunt inatentia, hiperactivitatea si
impulsivitatea. Semnele si simptomele care apar la fiecare copil, difera in functie de
caracterstica ce primeaza.

Simptomele inatentiei la copii:

• Nu acorda atentie dataliilor
• Face greseli din neatentie
• Are porobleme in a se focusa pe o problema, este usor de distras
• Pare ca nu asculta cand i se vorbeste
• Are dificultati in a-si aminti si a urma instructiunile
• Are probleme in a se organiza, in a planifica si a duce la bun sfarsit un proiect
• Se plictiseste de sarcini inainte de a le finaliza
 • Isi pierde frecvent lucrurile (teme, jucarii, carti sau alte obiecte)
Copiii care au doar simptome din sfera deficitului de atentie sunt de multe ori trecuti cu
vederea deoarece nu au comportamente disruptive, care deranjeaza. Cu toate acestea,
simptomele inatentiei produc consecinte: copii sunt certati de parinti si profesori pentru ca nu
respecta instructiunile, au performante scolare sub capacitatile lor reale, intra in conflict cu
ceilalti copii deoarece nu joaca dupa reguli, etc

Simptomele impulsivitatii la copii:

• Actioneaza fara sa gandeasca in prealabil
• Raspunde la scoala fara a fi intrebat sau chiar fara sa astepte ca profesorul sa termine intrebarea
• Nu isi asteapta randul atunci cand se joaca cu ceilalti copii
• Spune lucruri inoportune la momente inoportune
• Ii intrerupe frecvent pe ceilalti
• Se amesteca in jocurile si conversatiile celorlalti
• Nu are capacitatea de a-si controla emotiile puternice, ceea ce poate rezulta in accese de furie
sau frustrare
• Prefera sa ghiceasca raspunsul decat sa aloce timp pentru rezolvarea unei probleme
Pentru copiii cu simptome din sfera impulsivitatii, instructiuni precum “asteapta-ti randul”, “ai
rabdare” sunt mult mai greu de urmat, in comparatie cu ceilalti copii. De asemenea ei au
tendinta de a fi irascibili si de a reactiona emotional in mod exagerat. Prin urmare pot fi vazuti
de cei din jur ca lipsiti de respect, ciudati sau avand permanenta nevoie de atentie.

Simptomele hiperactivitatii la copii:

• Nu are astampar, se misca continuu
• La scoala, se ridica deseori din scaun in timpul orelor
• Se misca constant, alearga, se catara, ca si cum ar fi actionat de un motor
• Vorbeste excesiv
• Are dificultati in a se relaxa sau a se juca in liniste
• Are o toleranta scazuta la frustrare, este rapid irascibil, isi pierde cumpatul foare usor.
Hiperactivitatea este cel mai evident, mai usor observabil simptom al ADHD-ului. Acesti copii
se misca in permanenta, uneori incearca sa faca mai multe lucruri in acelasi timp, osciland de
la o activitate la alta. Chiar si atunci cand sunt obligati sa stea asezati, in liniste, ceea ce este
foarte dificil pentru ei, acestia isi misca piciorul sau degetele de la mana.

Mituri despre ADHD

1. Toti copii cu ADHD sunt hiperactivi
In realitate, unii copii cu ADHD sunt hiperactivi, insa multi altii nu sunt. Acestia au probleme cu
concentrarea atentiei, pot da impresia ca sunt deconectati si nemotivati.
2. Copiii cu ADD/ADHD nu pot sa fie atenti niciodata.
2. Copiii cu ADD/ADHD nu pot sa fie atenti niciodata.
Copiii cu ADD/ADHD pot sa se concentreze pe activitati care le fac placere. Dar indiferent cat
de mult incearca, ei au probleme in a se focusa pe sarcini care li se par plictisitoare, dificile
sau repetitive.
3. Copiii cu ADD/ADHD ar putea sa fie mai disciplinati daca ar incerca
In realitate, chiar si atunci cand fac eforturi, se intampla ca acesti copii sa nu poata sa stea
nemiscati, in liniste sau sa fie atenti. Pot sa dea impresia ca sunt neascultatori, insa nu
inseamna ca se comporta astfel in mod intentionat.
4. Copiii cu ADD/ADHD se vor vindeca de aceasta tulburare pe masura ce cresc.
ADD/ADHD continua si la varsta adulta, asa ca nu va asteptati ca simptomele sa dispara
odata cu varsta. Tratamentul poate sa ajute copilul sa invete mecanisme de coping care il vor
ajuta sa administreze si sa minimizeze simptomele.

Chiar daca unele sau majoritatea din simptomele descrise mai sus sunt prezente la copilul
dumneavoastra, asta nu inseamna ca acesta are ADD/ADHD. Anumite probleme medicale,
tulburari psihologice, evenimente stresante pot cauza simptome similare. De aceea va
sfatuiesc sa aveti grija ca specialistul caruia va adresati sa exploreze si sa excluda – daca
este cazul – urmatoarele posibilitati:

Certain medical conditions, psychological disorders, and stressful life events can cause
symptoms that look like ADD / ADHD.
Before an accurate diagnosis of ADD / ADHD can be made, it is important that you see a
mental health professional to explore and rule out the following possibilities:

t really ADD / ADHD?

Just because a child has symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, or hyperactivity does not mean
that he or she has ADD or ADHD. Certain medical conditions, psychological disorders, and
stressful life events can cause symptoms that look like ADD / ADHD.
Before an accurate diagnosis of ADD / ADHD can be made, it is important that you see a
mental health professional to explore and rule out the following possibilities:
• Learning disabilities or problems with reading, writing, motor skills, or language.
• Major life events or traumatic experiences (e.g. a recent move, death of a loved one,
bullying, divorce).
• Psychological disorders including anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
• Behavioral disorders such as conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder.
• Medical conditions, including thyroid problems, neurological conditions, epilepsy, and
sleep disorders.
To learn more about diagnosing ADD/ADHD, see ADD / ADHD Tests and Diagnosis.
A learning disability may be mistaken for ADHD
Think your child has attention deficit disorder? Sometimes, kids who are having trouble in
school are incorrectly diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, when what they really have is a learning
disability. Furthermore, many kids struggle with both ADD/ADHD and a learning disability.
Read: Learning Disabilities in Children
Positive effects of ADD / ADHD in children
In addition to the challenges, there are also positive traits associated with people who have
attention deficit disorder:
• Creativity – Children who have ADD/ADHD can be marvelously creative and
imaginative. The child who daydreams and has ten different thoughts at once can
become a master problem-solver, a fountain of ideas, or an inventive artist. Children
with ADD/ADHD may be easily distracted, but sometimes they notice what others don’t
see.
• Flexibility – Because children with ADD/ADHD consider a lot of options at once, they
don’t become set on one alternative early on and are more open to different ideas.
• Enthusiasm and spontaneity – Children with ADD/ADHD are rarely boring! They’re
interested in a lot of different things and have lively personalities. In short, if they’re not
exasperating you (and sometimes even when they are), they’re a lot of fun to be with.
• Energy and drive – When kids with ADD/ADHD are motivated, they work or play hard
and strive to succeed. It actually may be difficult to distract them from a task that
interests them, especially if the activity is interactive or hands-on.
Keep in mind, too, that ADD/ADHD has nothing to do with intelligence or talent. Many children
with ADD/ADHD are intellectually or artistically gifted.
Helping a child with ADD / ADHD
Whether or not your child’s symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are due to
ADD/ADHD, they can cause many problems if left untreated. Children who can’t focus and
control themselves may struggle in school, get into frequent trouble, and find it hard to get
along with others or make friends. These frustrations and difficulties can lead to low self-
esteem as well as friction and stress for the whole family.
But treatment can make a dramatic difference in your child’s symptoms. With the right
support, your child can get on track for success in all areas of life.

Don’t wait to get help for your child

If your child struggles with symptoms that look like ADD/ADHD, don’t wait to seek
professional help. You can treat your child’s symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and
impulsivity without having a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder.
Options to start with include getting your child into therapy, implementing a better diet and
exercise plan, and modifying the home environment to minimize distractions.
If you do receive a diagnosis of ADD/ADHD, you can then work with your child’s doctor,
therapist, and school to make a personalized treatment plan that meets his or her specific
needs. Effective treatment for childhood ADD/ADHD involves behavioral therapy, parent
education and training, social support, and assistance at school. Medication may also be
used, however, it should never be the sole attention deficit disorder treatment.

Parenting tips for children with ADD / ADHD

If your child is hyperactive, inattentive, or impulsive, it may take a lot of energy to get him or
her to listen, finish a task, or sit still. The constant monitoring can be frustrating and
exhausting. Sometimes you may feel like your child is running the show. But there are steps
you can take to regain control of the situation, while simultaneously helping your child make
the most of his or her abilities.
While attention deficit disorder is not caused by bad parenting, there are effective parenting
strategies that can go a long way to correct problem behaviors.
Children with ADD/ADHD need structure, consistency, clear communication, and rewards and
consequences for their behavior. They also need lots of love, support, and encouragement.
There are many things parents can do to reduce the signs and symptoms of ADD/ADHD
without sacrificing the natural energy, playfulness, and sense of wonder unique in every child.
Read ADD/ADHD Parenting Tips

School tips for children with ADD / ADHD

ADD/ADHD, obviously, gets in the way of learning. You can’t absorb information or get your work
done if you’re running around the classroom or zoning out on what you’re supposed to be reading or
listening to.
Think of what the school setting requires children to do: Sit still. Listen quietly. Pay attention. Follow
instructions. Concentrate. These are the very things kids with ADD/ADHD have a hard time doing—
not because they aren’t willing, but because their brains won’t let them.
But that doesn’t mean kids with ADD/ADHD can’t succeed at school. There are many things both
parents and teachers can do to help children with ADD/ADHD thrive in the classroom. It starts with
evaluating each child’s individual weaknesses and strengths, then coming up with creative strategies for
helping the child focus, stay on task, and learn to his or her full capability.