As a childcare center, we come across children from all walks of life and with different needs. As this is ADHD Awareness month we thought what better time to share what we have observed in the students in our class as well as some of the ways that parents can help their kids to overcome it!
What Is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD is a medical condition. A person with ADHD has differences in brain development and brain activity. This usually affects their attention, hyperactivity (sitting still), and self-control. ADHD can affect a child in all areas of their lives, from their relationships with their family members, and their friends and it can affect their performance in the classroom.
What Are the Signs of ADHD?
Attention, listening in the classroom, and following instructions are all things that a lot of kids struggle with But for a child with ADHD this is more pronounced and it is much harder for them. If you’re looking for signs and symptoms in your children, here are some things to keep an eye out for:
1. How difficult is it for your child to pay attention?
Is your child easily distracted? Do they have a hard time focusing, or concentrating on a task? Maybe they don’t finish what they start or miss important details. Are they forgetful and lose a lot of their stuff? Or maybe they spend a little too much time fidgeting and doodling and daydreaming.
2. Is your child hyperactive?
Does your child fidget a lot? Are they easily bored? Do they make careless mistakes by rushing through tasks? Do they climb, jump, or roughhouse when they shouldn't, disrupting others even when they didn’t mean to?
Is your child impulsive?
Does your child act before thinking? Are they impatient, interrupting you or others when talking? Do they do things without asking for permission? And, do they often have emotional reactions that seem too intense for the situation?
As teachers, it is our job to be observant of every student in our classrooms in the same way parents keep an eye on their children at home. That is how many children can get early diagnoses. But it is important for you as a parent to understand that even though your child may display one or all of the symptoms we listed, that does not mean that they have ADHD. Remember, these are very normal behaviors in children but in children with ADHD, they are more pronounced.
Attention, activity, and self-control are things that will develop as your little one grows. These are skills your children will be learning from how you as parents interact with other people in the world and how we as their teachers interact with them.
ADHD develops when these skills are not fully developed in children. If their problematic behavior is causing problems in the home, at school, or with their friends, it’s important to take your child for a professional check-up with a trained professional!
Do you have any questions about ADHD? Leave them in our chatbot! And make sure to tune in to our next blog as we discuss the causes of ADHD and how it can be treated!
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