Different children come to school: prepared and not very prepared, slow, nimble and too nimble. The last category is the most troublesome for parents and teachers. These are called hyperactive.
In fairness, it should be noted that ordinary children are often brought under this label, because normally a child should jump, run, make noise, scream, indulge, “poke your nose” into other people's affairs, demand something, disobey, obey and go compromise with adults. However, most adults want their children to be serious and focused, not to be naughty, to do their homework on their own and obey unquestioningly. Any deviation from the ideas of adults is perceived as a deviation from the norm.
What is child hyperactivity?
Hyperactivity is characterized by the prefix "over". These children have an increased need for movement, they are very active, speak loudly, and react to the slightest stimuli.
Hyperactivity - the predominance of the process of excitation over inhibition. Normally, these opposite processes take approximately the same time (with slight deviations in one direction or another). Excitation in hyperactive children occurs very quickly, almost instantly, but the process of inhibition takes a long time.
Let's take a situation as an example. In the regular class test. Children are fascinated by solving tasks, when suddenly a large red balloon flies past the window. How will the children behave?
The vast majority of children (2/3) will react to a non-standard situation by turning their heads, interjections, comments. When the ball disappears, they will continue their activities.
There are children who will not even pay attention to the incident, or will, but reluctantly and far from immediately. At the same time, they will quickly return to the activity from which they were distracted.
But there will also be someone who, at the first appearance, “breaks loose” from his place, runs up to the window and watches the object until it disappears from view. It will be difficult for such a child to return to completing tasks.
In the first case, the processes of excitation are approximately equal to the processes of inhibition. In the second case, the predominance of the inhibition process is observed, when the children are very enthusiastic and focused on the activity. The third case is a classic example of a hyperactive child.
Manifestations of childhood hyperactivity
It is not difficult to identify a hyperactive child among peers. However, adults often justify the usual childish bad manners with a label. It is necessary to clearly define hyperactivity by some typical indicators:
- Easy distractibility from any kind of activity, even the most interesting. Children switch from class to class.
- Rapid excitability, instant involvement in any active activities.
- Loud speech, usually fast.
- On the letter children do typical mistakes:
- do not put punctuation marks;
- do not add words;
- liken syllables: “momotok” instead of “hammer”, etc.
- often correct the text without improving the quality.
- They make a lot of unnecessary movements.
- Something is constantly being dropped or lost.
- Speech is fuzzy and confused, coherent monologue speech causes difficulties.
- The child has an untidy appearance and unable to control it during the day.
- The child is often surrounded by disorder: on the table, in the room, closet, briefcase.
These are side characteristics of a hyperactive child. main feature hyperactivity - a high need for movement, which is physiologically conditioned. The child simply cannot do without movement. The control of one's motor reactions simultaneously with the suppression of the need for movement causes a very strong nervous tension in the child.
Hyperactivity can be diagnosed by neuropathologists using special test methods. However, few people turn to a specialist for help. Most often, a hyperactive child is forced to adapt to environmental conditions on their own, which does not always happen safely.
Adult mistakes in dealing with hyperactive children
Mistake 1. Punishing a child for being too active.
This is the most common occurrence. Often you can hear the remark of adults: “do not fidget”, “do not fidget”, “do not scratch”, etc. Most often, these remarks do not lead to results, but simply transfer the child from one action to another. Can a thirsty person be punished for wanting to drink? The answer to this question corresponds to the attitude towards a hyperactive child.
Mistake 2. Depriving the child of physical activity.
There is a misconception that a hyperactive child should not be overexcited. For this reason, parents bring the child to school by car, and teachers try to deprive him of activity during breaks. This is fundamentally wrong. hyperactive child should implement your .
Mistake 3. Giving children the opportunity to constantly move.
This is a backlash when adults give a hyperactive child complete freedom of movement. The child needs to be taught to live with his hyperactivity, controlling it. To do this, you need to gradually increase the length of time during which the child must independently control his behavior.
How to help a hyperactive child
A hyperactive child causes a lot of trouble to others. But it's not easy for him. He is well aware that he does not live up to expectations, understands what causes anxiety, makes ridiculous mistakes and receives low marks. A hyperactive child needs help.
Firstly, provide the child with an outlet for motor energy. Greater mobility can provide children with classes in sports clubs and sections, dance studios.
Secondly, create daily conditions for children to release energy: exercises, walking to school, games of medium mobility during breaks, movement during the lesson: assistance in distributing equipment in the lesson, etc.
Third, plan a motor break between school lessons and doing homework.
Fourth, pay attention to the child's nutrition. Include in the diet foods that require energy for digestion (nuts, meat, etc.).
Fifth, conduct classes on the development of concentration. Make it harder every time.
At sixth, teach children to bring their activities to the end (solve a problem, finish drawing).
Seventh, teach children to control their appearance and order around them.
Hyperactivity of a child is not a sentence, but a children's problem that needs to be addressed. The child must learn to control his behavior, and this requires the help of adults. A properly organized life of a student and support from adults will gradually lead to positive results: an active energetic personality will grow out of a hyperactive student.
Svetlana Sadova
Can a hyperactive child study in a regular school, or are there specialized educational institutions for such a nimble child? In fairness, it should be noted that in terms of mental abilities, these guys are in no way inferior to their peers. Therefore, there are no special schools for fidgets. And to the question can a hyperactive child go to a normal school, you can answer with confidence, of course!
However, for such a baby, the learning process is a little difficult due to psychological characteristics. Therefore, teachers and parents are recommended to follow the instructions and recommendations of a child psychotherapist regarding some of the nuances of teaching such a student. In this article, we will try to explain what a hyperactive child is, and also give recommendations for parents of restless schoolchildren.
How does ADHD manifest itself?
Hyperactivity can be safely denoted by the prefix "over". Such children are characterized by an increased need for active movement. They are overactive, impulsive, have an unstable mood, talk loudly, are unable to concentrate on one action or object, and have a poor memory. They can be aggressive and whiny if they don't get what they want. All these indicators are a consequence of the malfunctioning of certain parts of the brain responsible for behavioral reactions.
How to identify a student with ADHD?
Often adults confuse banal bad manners and spoiled with ADHD. In fact, looking a little closer at the students, it will not be difficult to identify such a student:
- Distraction from work. Even the most interesting activity such a small one cannot be forced to concentrate. He constantly switches to something else.
- Excessive emotionality is expressed literally in everything. May cry for no reason or laugh out loud when there is no reason for fun.
- Loud and fast speech. Even after the remarks, the small one does not reduce the volume of his voice.
- Such fidgets write, often making typical mistakes; do not add endings, forget to write with capital letter, bypass even explicit punctuation marks. Not able to correct the text even with the help of hints.
- They are distinguished by fussiness and a mass of completely unnecessary gestures. Unable to sit in one place for more than two minutes. Constantly fidgeting and wrinkling.
- Possess poor memory and forgetfulness. They forget to write down their homework, they may go home without a backpack or a change of shoes.
- They constantly have something falling, broken, lost.
- Unable to clearly explain anything or build a dialogue.
- Fidget is constantly surrounded by disorder. Even having entered an educational institution neat, he is not able to maintain an appropriate appearance for 45 minutes.
- In no case should a fidget be punished for being too active. Moreover, this will not save the situation, but will further aggravate it.
- Don't let the baby move. Of course, within the framework of a school institution, beganina and standing on your head are not very welcome. But on the street, let him run, jump and frolic. After all, your "volcano" needs where to put its unstoppable energy and let it happen better outside the school walls.
- It is advisable to enroll a fidget in any sports section or circle. It can be football, swimming, athletics, etc. In general, anything, as long as he expends inexhaustible energy reserves.
- It is necessary to ask teachers to use egoza in active actions. This could be handing out tools in class, helping to wipe down the blackboard, etc.
- Don't force yourself to do your homework right after you get home. Take at least an hour of active break between activities at home and at school.
- It is recommended to introduce into the diet of small foods that require a lot of energy for digestion ( different types nuts, meat dishes, etc.).
- Follow the recommendations of a child psychotherapist and strictly follow all instructions.
- Make a daily routine and follow it. Moreover, every member of the family must adhere to the daily routine.
ADHD is not a sentence, but just a problem that can be easily solved by following all the recommendations and wishes of doctors and psychologists.
A hyperactive child is a schoolboy, what should parents do advice from a psychologist
Somehow you can endure the tricks of the egoza when he walks in kindergarten. But when a hyperactive child is a schoolboy, what should parents do? The advice of psychologists will help you cope with this difficult period in your baby's life. This article will tell you how a hyperactive child behaves at school, explain what parents should do, and help with the advice of a psychologist.
It must be said that elementary grades for children with attention deficit disorder are the most difficult. After all, there are new responsibilities that must be strictly fulfilled. It is not easy for fidgets to sit in one place for a long time, listen carefully to the teacher, concentrate and adhere to the norms of behavior. This often results in performance problems. But do not panic and think that now your little one does not have a bright future. There are special programs and methods of education, developed by psychologists specifically for such children.
Learning Features
Unfortunately, not all educational institutions Teachers know how to deal with difficult children. And relatives are at a loss as to how to pacify the fidget at home and force them to do their homework. But if within the walls of the school a teacher can always resort to the help of a full-time psychologist, what should the fidget relatives do? Understanding mothers and fathers know who a hyperactive child is and listen to the recommendations of psychologists to parents of difficult students.
So, the most important point of the program is to draw up a daily routine for the crumbs. The regimen should be designed in such a way that mental stress alternates with physical activity. And also in the daily routine should be prescribed special lessons aimed at developing perseverance and attentiveness. Of course, tasks can be adjusted depending on the individual qualities of a small person. But there are recommendations, the implementation of which is mandatory for all difficult students:
- It is advisable to give the egoza to a class with a minimum number of students;
- Fulfilling homework, do active five minutes every 20 minutes;
- By helping to do the lessons, you provide educational material in an interesting and colorful way;
- Perform daily exercises to develop mindfulness, perseverance and responsibility;
- Learn to work in a team.
Getting rid of excess energy
Physical exercise and sports games will help get rid of excess energy. At the same time, psychologists advise giving preference to games in which you need to use only physical abilities. Remember - such kids are very impressionable and, for example, competitive types of games can cause them increased anxiety and fear.
Prohibitions and restrictions
It is impossible to prohibit something before that, without substantiating your prohibition with facts and examples. Any remark should have a basis and be explained by a calm and measured timbre of voice. It is also not necessary to introduce a taboo immediately on all the pranks of the mischievous one. Introduce your rules gradually. So, it will be easier for the baby to understand what they want from him, and he will gradually get used to the new norms of behavior.
Learning to calm down
When you begin to notice that your "volcano" is becoming uncontrollable, change the environment around it to a more calm and quiet one. Such a baby is very calmingly affected by her mother's voice, her hugs and kisses. The child needs to be hugged, pitied, caressed, reassured in a quiet, gentle voice. In the evening, you can take a relaxing bath with soothing decoctions. Massage, reading favorite fairy tales and books will also help.
Try to tune in with the child on the same wavelength. Then it will be much easier for you to understand how to behave so that he begins to listen to you and fulfill your requests. The psyche of a child with ADHD is characterized by a lack of attentiveness. Therefore, when communicating with a child, you need to speak slowly, clearly pronouncing every word. When giving a child any task, it is necessary to formulate a request in a short and understandable form. Too long wording will confuse the fidget, and in a minute he will simply forget what was discussed.
Learning to understand time
It is extremely important for such mischievous people to learn how to navigate the time frame. To teach your child to feel the time, set tasks for him to complete any assignment clearly on time. For example, we complete the task for 15 minutes, then we jump on the spot for 5 minutes. Or brush your teeth for exactly 5 minutes, eat for 20 minutes, and so on. Do not forget to remind the child how many minutes are left before the end of a particular task.
Punishment
Such children are extremely sensitive to punishments. They perceive even a slight remark in their direction as a deep insult. The reproaches of mom and dad “don’t do this” or “you can’t do this” most likely will not be understood, but, on the contrary, the child will become even more uncontrollable.
But such children treat praise very well. If the mother wants the child, for example, to clean the room, you need to praise him, saying how clean, economic and responsible he is. After such epithets, the child will run to clean the room, proving to everyone that his mother's words are not an empty sound and he is actually so beautiful and economic.
The diagnosis of ADHD should not become a wall in front of a bright and happy future for a little person. And relatives, like no one else, are able to direct the energy of the crumbs into right direction and help him become a worthy and respected representative of society.
Take the test
Who usually wakes you up in the morning?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often referred to as a disease modern children. And although it is diagnosed in 6% of the child population in the population, regardless of region, any teacher primary school according to personal feelings, he can tell you that he has much more such children.
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How to understand that a child has ADHD, and how to live with it, how parents can help him and what help you should ask for school teacher, at first school year Sputnik correspondent Svetlana Litskevich spoke with a psychotherapist, candidate medical sciences, Associate Professor Tatyana Emelyantseva.
What is ADHD?
Such children are familiar to everyone - disinhibited, impulsive, disorganized, unable to focus on one thing for a long time. They can jump in place, wave their arms like birds, quickly forget what happened and cannot tell what happened at school today. Their behavior is unrestrained, sometimes completely inappropriate, and the notebooks are full of corrections, sometimes they may even remain empty, the sentences unfinished. As a rule, with a sufficiently high intelligence, children with ADHD study much worse than their abilities, sitting through a lesson to the end is an unbearable torture for them. How to help such a child to adapt at school, and the school to be loyal to the child?
Time works for the child
It so happened that the theme of the application of forces in science to the psychotherapist Tatyana Emelyantseva was prompted by life itself. She had to study attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children because her son had characteristics this ailment. She does not hide this fact, as well as the fact that everything is fixable - just such children require a lot of parental work. And most often with age outgrow most of their difficulties.
Most often, ADHD becomes a problem when the child goes to school. When his inability to study diligently is revealed, such children are disinhibited, scattered, catastrophically disorganized. In kindergarten, this can go almost unnoticed if you are lucky with the teacher.
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If such a child comes to the attention of a psychotherapist before school, do doctors most often ask to send a child with ADHD to school later?
Yes, here time works for the child. His nervous system is maturing, and the later he goes to school, the better the results will be. A year for a child is a lot. Let such a child be overgrown in his class, but this will benefit both him and the teacher who will work with him.
- Many people are concerned about the question - is it necessary to tell the teacher about ADHD?
Certainly, this must be done. After all, the teacher should become your ally. And only together you can achieve good results. But it may be better to do this gradually, as symptoms appear - many teachers are afraid of this diagnosis. It is a great blessing if you manage to find an educator who is familiar with ADHD, who has previously worked successfully with such children or has encountered similar in his own family.
A psychotherapist is most often contacted when a child goes to school and his "uncomfortable behavior" becomes obvious to everyone.
You should not immediately become in a pose - as if the teacher owes you something. You need to learn to find a common language. But for the most part, the school is familiar with this. For example, when I tried to explain to my son's teacher that we have "features", she calmly told me: "everyone has features, these are children."
Tom Sawyer is a typical hyperactive child
It is believed that before such a diagnosis did not exist, this is a feature of modern children, which manifests itself in them more and more often. It's right?
Of course not. ADHD is not a new diagnosis. It is described in detail by Mark Twain. Tom Sawyer is a typical hyperactive child. ADHD was once called hyperdynamic syndrome. Because this restlessness, disobedience were obvious to others. This is a clinical developmental disorder. nervous system. By the way, they now include not only ADHD, but also autism. And increasingly, these diagnoses can be combined, especially with Asperger's syndrome (one of the autism spectrum disorders). There is, of course, such a point of view that children with ADHD are more fortunate - they have less pronounced weakness in the development of the nervous system than children with autistic symptoms.
Most often, ADHD is diagnosed in boys. In girls, it occurs 3-4 times less often.
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When should parents start worrying?
Usually ADHD begin to "seek" after 4 years. Signs can be very different, sometimes quite atypical. But several character traits recognizable. 30% of these children have problems with speech development. Almost everyone is characterized by capricious protest behavior. They fight in supermarkets not because they are spoiled - they are extremely impatient and cannot control their emotions. They have early, still in before school age, various tics begin to appear - a sign of weakness of the nervous system. Many have heightened sensory sensitivity. Some may become hysterical from the sound of a vacuum cleaner, "presses - rubs" - this is also about them. I was approached by a family in which a girl came in the first grade from school and stripped naked - everything interfered with her. They are picky about the texture of clothes, the texture of food. Food with lumps for such a child can become 100% conditions for not eating at all. They may have long-term enuresis, encopresis (calomania). The act of defecation may not be formed correctly - while I was in diapers - there were no problems, but on a pot - it does not work, protest. But almost immediately he will put in his pants, as soon as he is left alone. And sometimes only on these grounds they turn to specialists, other signs of problematic behavior are not declared. If a child has similar symptoms, this is an occasion to show him to a psychotherapist.
Where can parents find strength?
- What to do if such a diagnosis was made?
Do not take this as the end of the world and prepare for a long work. In America, these issues are resolved simply - the condition for teaching a child with a severe form of ADHD in a decent school is the appointment of psychostimulants. Their high efficiency has been proven. They increase dopamine levels, which children with ADHD lack.
We do not have such a practice, there is simply no way to prescribe psychostimulants. It is important to understand that this is not an antibiotic that I drank and forgot, they do not cure, they help for a while. Psychostimulants have to be taken for years. Chemical neurotransmitters turn on the brain, attention - they give that drive that helps them finish what they started. Goes away uncomfortable behavior. Children begin to study better - because another problem of such children is that they study worse than their abilities. Much depends on their mood, on their ability to work today. For example, today there is more sun - the child is more adequate, his brains turn on better, he is more collected. But no one thinks about the long-term perspective of the child - what will happen to him next, whether he will be able to do without psychostimulants, what will be his behavior. By and large, this is not a solution to the problem, it is postponing it.
Why do children from "decent" families run away?
You need to constantly work with a child, know how to help him cope with his restlessness, inattention, make teachers and educators his allies. This is where parental support groups come into play.
I have been dealing with ADHD for over 10 years, working with both children and parents. During this time, many children have grown up - I am surprised at how everything changes over time, how they line up with their peers. Of course, I understand that I am dealing with motivated parents. Children with ADHD with normal attention and care can grow up to be quite successful. Yes - with small nuances. But they make good artists, architects, doctors, directors - they see the world differently, they see images, they have a developed sense of empathy, they live more with their hearts.
You say that parents should be ready to work with the child. We all sort of bring up children, teach them step by step, etc. Should something be different for children with ADHD?
You have to be ready to go through everything all over again. If the parents do not have this marathon attitude, the results may not be. Recently I had a family, they live in America, they came here to visit their grandmother. Mom has a second marriage there, there is Small child. She is restless, uneven - I see that she does not have the strength for an older child who has ADHD. Mom needs a specific answer: how to make the child obey, so that he studies well, so that he understands that it’s hard for mom. As a result of the conversation, I had to tell my grandmother that there were no options, except for psychostimulants there, in America. Just because I see that my mother does not have the strength to help. The boy is very difficult, he is 10 years old and he already understands that something is wrong with him. Knows that medication is coming. He asks: “Is it true that I won’t be able to be as happy as before, for example, when my friend scores a goal?” I had to explain to him that it was only for a while to change the attitude towards him. This, in my opinion, highlights the problem of the attitude of the children themselves to the appointment of psychostimulants, as a lack of freedom.
Tatyana Emeyantseva does not hide the fact that she had to come to grips with the study of ADHD, including for personal reasons
Although there is another thing - I have been conducting group classes for parents for many years. I had one dad who came to me year after year. Heard about the same thing over and over. When I asked why, he said: "I go here so that I have the strength to continue helping my child." In group classes, not only knowledge - but also emotional support, when there is someone else's more successful experience of interacting with the school, for example.
Reach out to him - literally
- If you go back to school - what can you expect from a teacher, what help can you expect?
It is difficult for a child with ADHD to adapt in society, and his behavior is often inappropriate. They are uncomfortable, such children. For parents, for teachers. They have a lot of problems with verbal working memory. The so-called inner speech - the ability to pronounce thoughts "to oneself" is formed in a child normally by the age of 7, and in these children it can be very late. It often happens that the problem is solved, but he cannot explain the sequence of actions. Like a computer without a printer. But they do a great job with test tasks, here they can show good results.
One of the most common parental and teacher complaints is "he can't hear me."
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In order for him to hear you, approach him, touch him, look into his eyes - tactile contact is important for them, let him say your request aloud. This is a way to enhance the efficiency of his memory. And the teacher, knowing how hard it is for such a child to sit whole lesson, can send him to rinse the rag for the board or ask him to distribute notebooks, water the flowers. Their attention must be switched to physical activity, then he will cope. If you put such a child next to the teacher on the control, he will try much more. The teacher must take this into account. But for this, parents should first talk with him about the features of the approach to such a student. I give my patients a reminder for teachers so that they know how to calm down, how to switch the attention of a hyperactive child. Information is also available on the Internet. Not everyone is looking for it, unfortunately.
It is important to understand that children with ADHD do get tired more than others. With the immaturity of the nervous system and their mobility, they run ahead of the locomotive. Often, when they get tired, they simply become inadequate.
My son and I had a very understanding teacher who put him on the couch when she saw that he was lying on the desk because he was tired. Or allowed to suck on a lollipop, which turned on attention when doing a test.
- Is it possible for such children to go to aftercare?
I absolutely do not recommend. In the extension, his plant will end. And disinhibition, clown behavior will begin. And at home everything will be different - he will change the situation, switch, rest and soon be able to do homework.
One of the theories explaining ADHD is the so-called energy theory, the “weak battery of the brain” theory. Everything is fine with the car engine. But sometimes there is not enough gas. For them, emotional recharging is important. Hugs and kisses help a lot. But many parents underestimate the power of tactile contact.
How can you persuade them to study?
It is useless to scold such a child for bad grades - but if he got a good one, it is better to encourage him so that he remembers it and wants to do it again. Punishment affects them much weaker than encouragement. They quickly become bored, everything bothers. With additional stimulation, the efficiency of all people increases. And especially for these kids. They need constant rewards. Immediately. A promise - you will study well, in 2 months you will go on an excursion with the class - not for them. Their reward should be immediate.
People on their wave
- Where does such a diagnosis come from and is there any hope that over time the child will even out, outgrow it?
In the 60s of the last century, it was announced that ADHD is a character trait that is inherited. Now again it is considered that this is a disorder of brain development, due to both hereditary factors and external ones. Including how the pregnancy went, childbirth, in what conditions the child is brought up. And if a child was genetically predisposed to dopamine deficiency, but asphyxia occurred during childbirth, this can become an obvious problem.
ADHD also occurs in adults. And the numbers are called different - from 30 to 70% of cases of children's diagnosis of ADHD can pass into adulthood. Young people who are already over 30 years old are increasingly turning to me for advice - they are enterprising, they are engaged in IT, everything seems to be fine. But they understand that something is wrong with them.
- What complaints do adults have?
Many complain about the problems of attention, working capacity, severe asthenia, "depression", they do not develop relationships with relatives, with superiors. One young girl expressed her problem this way: "I forgot everything I was taught..."
- So this is the specificity of our education - I passed it and forgot ... Hundreds of adults can tell you this even without ADHD.
I'm not really talking about that. People with ADHD are on their own. They easily cross social boundaries, do not always comply with social conventions - they can directly say unpleasant things to others. They are often disliked by others, and they cannot understand why. They often have mood swings, are characterized by ambivalence, duality - when they cannot understand what they need. However, they are often very successful. There is a site "great with ADHD", but I will not give examples - this is incorrect for a doctor.
From my own experience I can say that children with ADHD for last years more, as well as children with autism. And this is not only a problem of women's health in the perinatal period. This is a problem of society, its informatization. The child simply manifests this problem, first of all.
Of course, it is not easy with such children - to constantly organize his leisure time, to see that he has good mood, resolve problems, keep abreast.
But in any case, you must believe in your child. While realizing that you can only do what you can do. But it simply cannot be done.
Nowadays, more and more people are talking about hyperactivity in children. Many people do not fully understand what this term means and apply it to all mobile and active children. However, hyperactivity is not just an increased activity of the baby, it is a violation of the child's behavioral reactions associated with impaired brain function.
What kind of hyperactive child is he? What should the parents of such a child do? After all, they have to face a lot of problems, learn how to correct the behavior of their child, help him adapt at school, and this is usually very difficult.
The term "hyperactivity" itself means a highly increased activity and excitability of a person. Hyperactivity is most common in children, as they have less control over their emotions.
With hyperactivity, the nervous system is usually not balanced. The child develops behavioral disorders that require correction. IN modern world more and more children suffer from this disorder.
Typically, a hyperactive child has the following disorders:
- Cannot concentrate on any activity for a long time. This especially often brings problems at school.
After all, it is difficult for a child to sit through a lesson, listen to a teacher, and complete assignments. Such children are forgetful, scattered. Even sitting in front of the TV for a long time is problematic for such children.
- Increased emotionality and impulsivity.
Hyperactive children often cannot control their emotions, splashing them out on others, making unexpected impulsive actions.
- Motor activity beyond measure.
Many children, especially in preschool and primary school age, are quite mobile. However, hyperactive children stand out even against their background. They cannot sit still, they literally dance if they are seated. Their hands and feet are in motion, their eyes are running, their facial expressions are changing.
If a child has one or two of the above violations, then most likely these are just age-related behavioral characteristics. With age, the child will learn to better control his emotions, his behavior will even out. However, if the baby has all of the above violations, then this is an occasion to consult with a specialist.
It is important to suspect and diagnose this violation in time, than to reap the fruits of misunderstanding of your child later.
From a medical point of view, hyperactivity - hyperdynamic syndrome - is a diagnosis. It can be established by a neurologist or a neuropathologist. Most often, this diagnosis is associated with minimal brain dysfunction and CNS dysfunction.
In the following video, Dr. Komarovsky will tell you about what hyperactivity is:
When it appears
It is believed that the syndrome of hyperdynamic activity is most pronounced in preschool (4-5 years) and primary school age (6-8 years). The child enters the children's team and does not withstand the modern pace of learning.
All the signs of his hyperactivity immediately appear: the educator or teacher cannot cope with the child, he does not learn the training program and other problems of his behavioral disorders.
However, the first signs of hyperdynamic syndrome can be detected even in infancy. Such children are very mobile and emotional: they get out of diapers, fall, it is only necessary to turn away for a moment, they do not sleep well, their sleep is superficial, restless, and they can scream all night for no reason.
As they grow older, the behavior of hyperactive children continues to “please” parents: they get out of playpens and strollers, often fall, climb everywhere, overturn everything.
Babies are already active and overly mobile at 1-2 years old, mothers can barely keep up with them. They are not interested in games where you need to think, add, build. It is difficult for a hyperactive kid to listen to a fairy tale, to watch a cartoon, he cannot sit still.
What should parents do if they suspect a hyperactivity disorder in a child?
Norm or pathology. false hyperactivity
Very often, hyperactivity is confused with the normal behavior of a child, because most children aged 3-7 years are quite active and impulsive, it is difficult to control emotions. If a child is restless, often distracted, then they say that he is hyperactive. However, for children lower grades lack of concentration and the inability to sit still for a long time is usually the norm. Therefore, hyperdynamic syndrome can be difficult to diagnose.
If a child, in addition to attention deficit and increased activity, has problems establishing relationships with peers, is inattentive to the feelings of others, does not learn from his mistakes, does not know how to adapt to the environment, then these signs indicate a pathology - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
From the point of view of neurology, this diagnosis is quite serious and the child needs treatment, the sooner the better.
Diagnostics
If parents suspect that their child has ADHD, then it is necessary to seek advice from a pediatric neurologist. The doctor will prescribe the appropriate examination, which must be completed. Indeed, under the symptoms of hyperdynamic syndrome, more serious pathologies can be hidden.
Diagnostics includes three stages:
- The doctor collects data on the behavior and reactions of the child, about the peculiarities of the course of pregnancy and childbirth, past diseases, hereditary pathologies of family members.
- Conducts special tests and evaluates the results and the amount of time spent, as well as the reaction and behavior of the child at the same time. Typically, such tests are carried out for children 5-6 years old.
- Electroencephalogram. This examination allows you to assess the state of the child's brain. It is painless and harmless.
After receiving all the results, the neurologist makes a diagnosis and gives his opinion.
signs
The main signs that help recognize a child's hyperactivity:
- The child has increased unreasonable physical activity. He spins all the time, jumps, runs, climbs everywhere, even if he knows that it is impossible. It lacks the process of inhibition in the central nervous system. He just can't contain himself.
- Can't sit still, if he is seated, then he spins, gets up, fidgets, cannot sit still.
- When talking, often interrupts the interlocutor, does not listen to the question to the end, speaks off topic, does not think.
- Can't sit still. Even when playing, he makes noise, squeaks, makes unconscious movements.
- Can't stand the queue, is naughty, nervous.
- Has trouble communicating with peers. He interferes in other people's games, sticks to children, does not know how to make friends.
- Does not take into account the feelings and needs of other people.
- The child is very emotional, has no ability to control either positive or negative emotions. Often arranges scandals and tantrums.
- The child's sleep is restless, during the day often does not sleep at all. In a dream, he tosses and turns, curls up.
- Loses interest in activities quickly, jumping from one to another and not completing it.
- The child is distracted and inattentive, cannot concentrate, often makes mistakes because of this.
Parents of hyperactive children face difficulties with early years. The child does not obey his parents, it is necessary to control him all the time, he is constantly nearby.
You can learn more about the signs of this syndrome by watching the video:
Causes
The main reasons that can cause a violation of the functions of the nervous system of the child, and, consequently, the hyperactivity syndrome, experts consider the following situations:
- Heredity (genetic predisposition)
- Damage to brain cells in the prenatal period or during labor.
It can be fetal hypoxia, infections, birth trauma.
- Violations caused as a result of an unfavorable family environment, abnormal living conditions, improper educational process, diseases and injuries after birth.
According to statistics, male children are more likely to suffer from hyperactivity. For five boys, only one girl is diagnosed with such a diagnosis.
Classification of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
There are different types of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
- Hyperdynamic syndrome without attention deficit.
- Attention deficit disorder is present, but without hyperactivity (usually occurs in female children - these girls are calm, absent-minded, quiet).
- Combination of attention deficit disorder and hyperdynamism.
ADHD can be primary, occurring in utero, and secondary (acquired), acquired after birth as a result of injury or illness.
There is also a simple form of the disease and complicated. In a complicated form of ADHD, other signs are added to the symptoms: nervous tic, stuttering, enuresis, headaches.
Treatment
Treatment for ADHD requires a holistic approach. Some procedures, medicines, diets are used, but the main emphasis is on psychological correction and the right approach in raising a hyperactive child.
In Europe and the United States, psychostimulant drugs are widely used to treat ADHD. They are quite effective, but have many side effects. The main ones are digestive disorders, headaches, insomnia, growth retardation. In Russia, ADHD is treated with nootropic drugs that have a positive effect on brain function (Cholitilin, Encephabol, Cortexin).
These remedies are more effective for attention deficit.
When focusing on hyperdynamic syndrome, drugs are used that affect the inhibitory reactions of the central nervous system (Fentibut, Pantogam).
Assign medications only a doctor can! Medications are taken under the supervision of a specialist. In addition, it is possible to use procedures related to brain stimulation with weak impulses of electric current.
The nutrition of the child is also important. So with an unbalanced diet, the metabolism of children is disturbed, which can provoke irritability and capriciousness. A growing body requires protein, vitamins and minerals. The diet should contain foods with high level Omega 3 fats that have a beneficial effect on the central nervous system. But the amount of sweets and carbohydrates is better to reduce. It is better to give the child berries and fruits. You can leave a little dark chocolate in the diet.
Mandatory in the treatment of psychological correction of the child's behavior. The psychologist helps the child to better understand their actions, as well as give advice to parents on building relationships with such a child and methods of raising and teaching him.
Most children outgrow the disease if they do not have complications and receive timely treatment. In some cases, ADHD passes into adulthood, especially if timely adequate assistance is not provided to the child.
You can learn more about the treatment of the syndrome from the video:
Features of communication with such children
Raising a hyperactive child is not easy. Even with a strong love for their child, parents can not always withstand all his tricks, often break down and scream. And it happens that they generally stop educating him, having decided "what will grow, will grow."
It is not uncommon for parents to try to instill such a baby strict discipline, cruelly suppressing all his antics and disobedience. The child is punished for the slightest offense. However, such upbringing only exacerbates the child's behavioral problems. He becomes more withdrawn, insecure, disobedient.
It is impossible to go too far in relation to children with ADHD, so as not to add new problems to existing violations(stuttering, urinary incontinence, etc.). Each child with ADHD needs to find its own approach, taking into account its neurological characteristics.
What should parents, caregivers and teachers do?
A child with hyperdynamic syndrome needs a lot of parental attention. It is necessary to try to listen to him, help him complete tasks, develop his perseverance and interaction with the outside world. He needs praise and rewards, approval and support, more parental love.. Parents, before punishing a child, should take into account that he is quite normal in terms of intelligence, but he has problems with the regulation of his motor activity. Therefore, he does not specifically do what he was forbidden, but simply cannot stop himself.
It is necessary to properly organize the daily routine. Create your own rituals. Walk outside more. It is advisable to enroll the child in the sports section. Swimming, gymnastics, running, horseback riding, sports dancing are well suited. It is also necessary to arrange a sports corner at home so that the child has where to throw out energy.
When sending a child to a kindergarten, it is necessary to choose in advance the appropriate one, where there are groups with the opportunity to play, children actively move, complete tasks and respond at will. Talk to the caregiver about your child's needs.
If a conflict arises in the garden due to the child's behavior, then it is better to take him out of there. You can’t blame the baby that he is to blame for this, say that this group just didn’t suit him.
Schooling also has its challenges. Discuss what the teacher should do in order not to injure the hyperactive child, to help him adapt in the classroom. When doing homework, you should prepare in advance, do not be distracted. Classes should be short, but effective so that the child does not lose attention. IN
It is important to do the lessons regularly, at the same time. It is necessary to observe the child and determine the most appropriate time: after meals or after physical activity.
When punishing a hyperactive child, you should not choose those that do not allow him to move: put him in a corner, put him on a special chair.
Positive qualities of hyperactive children
Despite all the unpleasant behavioral characteristics of children with hyperdynamic syndrome, they also have many positive qualities which parents should pay special attention to.
- A hyperactive child has creative creative thinking.
He can give out a lot of interesting ideas, and if you have enough patience, then be creative. Such a child is easily distracted, but has a peculiar view of the world around him.
- Hyperactive children are usually enthusiastic. They are not boring.
They are interested in many things and are, as a rule, bright personalities.
- Such children are energetic and active, but often unpredictable.
If they have a motive, then they do everything faster than ordinary children.
- A child with ADHD is very flexible, quirky, and can find a way out where others do not notice, solve a problem in an unusual way.
The intelligence of children with ADHD is not impaired in any way. Very often they have high artistic and intellectual abilities.
Specific ways to communicate and interact with these children are given in the following video:
Psychologists note that if a child has signs of hyperactivity, then they should be eliminated, the sooner the better. This approach helps to avoid the difficulties arising from the behavioral disorders of the child, stress and disappointment on the part of his parents and people around him, and the baby himself. Therefore, with an established diagnosis of ADHD, one should not neglect the help of a specialist doctor and psychologist, so as not to lose time.
Psychologists note that a properly organized daily routine, a favorable family environment helps the child in the treatment of ADHD. In addition, the advice of a psychologist is as follows:
- Provide a calm, stable, non-irritating environment for your child. This will help reduce the accumulation and release of strong emotions.
- He should form the necessary reflexes that will help to clearly follow the daily routine. For example, go to bed after mom reads a fairy tale or sings a song.
- To relieve excess physical activity, it is necessary to organize classes for the child in sports sections.
- Do not force a hyperactive child to do tedious work for a long time, to sit in one place. Periodically allow active actions to release excess energy.
Eliminating the problems associated with hyperactivity in children is quite a doable task. The main thing is to give the child the opportunity to throw out excess energy, to interest educational process, develop Creative skills, and most importantly, take into account the characteristics of the child when assessing his actions.
Cartoons for the prevention of hyperactivity.
The following cartoons will help your child understand more about their condition, discussing the plot and characters with your child can help him deal with this problem.
So the list of cartoons:
- "Fidget, Crumb and Netak"
- "Masha is no longer lazy"
- "That's how absent-minded"
- "Wings, Legs, and Tails"
- "Petya Pyatochkin"
- "Monkeys"
- "Naughty Bear"
- "Nehochuha"
- "Octopussy"
- "Naughty Kitten"
- "Fidget"
Modern parents have repeatedly heard such complex concepts as hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder. The concept of hyperactivity includes a set of deviations in the learning process and social sphere at a normal level of intellectual development. Sometimes school teachers give similar unspoken characteristics to active children. Teachers may, due to ignorance or lack of experience, call a mobile and inquisitive child such a term. But only a psychologist and a neurologist who are allowed to make such a diagnosis can operate with such concepts. In the article, readers will learn how hyperactive children behave at school, recommendations to parents, in working with such children.
Signs of hyperactivity in a child
The first signs of hyperactivity appear before the age of seven. Caregivers can detect the first red flags by complaining about the behavior of a loved one. The key phrase will be that such a child interferes with the lesson and distracts others. But sometimes parents are ready to believe in the incompetence of the educator than in the hyperactivity of the baby.
You can check the correctness of teachers about an overly loved child by consulting with teachers of developing circles, a child psychologist and a neuropathologist.
Experts say that hyperactive children are characterized by:
- Inability to sit quietly at a desk, on a chair, on a children's rug for a lesson or 15 minutes.
- Restless body movements during the lesson. The baby, sitting on a chair, begins to spin, wriggle.
- Excessive talkativeness.
- Ignoring the request of the teacher to play quietly, calmly. And such an act is not an act of disobedience. The kid does not know how to perform such actions.
In addition to the above signs, the following symptoms may be added:
- The child does not know how to wait for his turn during games, schoolwork.
- Problems with concentration. In the classroom, such children are often distracted by foreign objects, which is why they fall.
- It is difficult for a child to concentrate when answering a question. The child does not hear it completely. For example, when asked which ones are not home, the baby will answer incorrectly, skipping the “not” particle.
- Difficulty in completing the task.
- The peanut cannot complete the job to the end.
- Such children may interfere with other students by interfering with their game or task.
- There may be a feeling that a beloved child does not listen to the teacher,.
The father and mother of a hyperactive child should understand that lecturing, prohibitions, punishments are not suitable as educational methods. Such children are sensitive to remarks and shouts, but they cannot cope with their needs on their own. Parents should know that hyperactivity in a child, with the right actions, stops with the onset of adolescence.
- Develop a joint tactic with the teacher to encourage, persuade the child. It is the teacher who is the true ally of the mother. You should not hide the diagnosis from him, it is better to provide him with information about the psychological characteristics of the child's behavior. The next step will be the request that the child sit in the places that are in the field of view of the teacher. Then the teacher should see when the child gets tired and offer him an alternative activity: wipe the blackboard, distribute notebooks, go for chalk. All possible strategies and options should be discussed with the teacher.
- Follow the daily routine. With such children, it is worth systematically following the daily routine. Comply with the rules to praise the child. For a hyperactive child to be calmer, the duration of sleep should be at least 8 hours a day. It is also worth reducing or removing chocolate, too spicy and salty foods from the diet.
- Create a favorable environment in the house. The child should be given more attention. Treat your beloved child kindly, motivate for success. Parents should try to evenly distribute the load so that the baby does not get tired. Organize workplace so that there are no distractions. For doing homework, children should be rewarded with something meaningful to them.
- , in which you can maximize the creative potential of your son or daughter. Sports and dance sections can serve as an ideal hobby. But at the same time, it is worth evenly distributing the load, because the child should not be overtired.
- Control the timing of the work. Hyperactive children do not feel the time well, so it is necessary to warn the baby in advance about the end of the game, walks.
At school, recommendations to parents and advice were considered. Thus, hyperactivity is not a disease or a developmental disorder. This psychological feature which with the help of love, respect can be corrected.
