BY
PANSY HAMILTON BROWN
ITINERANT GUIDANCE COUNSELLOR
Statistics have shown that there are millions of children in the world who are hyperactive and have an attention deficit disorder. This condition is becoming increasingly prevalent among school age children. Parents and professionals are more open with the issue, and so it demands more attention. The seriousness about this disorder is that children's learning can be seriously affected. Dyslexia as the condition is also called, continues to be of concern among parents and teachers. Hyperactivity and attention disorder are more common in boys than in girls.
Adults often satisfy their frustration about the conducts of such children by labeling them as "busy body".. Some casually state, "they will not settle down". It is only when the condition worsens and the children are getting older, report cards are unsatisfactory, and promotions are denied, that outbursts of concern and anxiety are displayed among some parents.
In most instances the hyperactivity and learning disability can be found in the same group of children, for they do not settle in class in order for learning to take place. However, not all hyperactive children have learning disabilities. The treatment of these two conditions is usually dealt with separately. In professional circles, hyperactivity in more contemporary times is called Attention Deficit Disorder. (ADD). Other terms associated with the condition are, hyperkinetic reaction, maturational lag, immaturity of the nervous system and perceptual motor problems. There is the myth that attention Deficit Disorder means that the children have brain damage, or that they are retarded and cannot respond to any form of instruction. This myth must be dispelled, for when the correct treatment is given, most children will perform well academically and will become quiet and compliant enough to be taught. It is with this fact in mind, that some psychologists call the disorder Specific Disorder" (SDD). Parents with such children should seek professional assistance, and be willing to comply with the recommendations that are made.
IDENTIFYING HDAD CHILDREN
Children with HDAD condition, have a very short attention span. They get easily frustrated. They cannot concentrate because they are easily disturbed and distracted. Most of them act below their chronological age. Some might even avoid activities that are detailed and structured. Schoolwork or chores at home are usually done sloppily, disorganized and instructions are not followed. Parents and teachers will discover that they have a very short memory, and must be supervised, nagged, given threats or shouted at before they comply with any formal activity. Some children might refuse to comply to authority, as it appears that they do not understand. On the other hand they might understand, but refuse to carry out instructions. Many persons may view them as being lazy and stubborn.
Some children are impulsive, forgetful, manipulative in wanting to have things done their way, and at the times that they demand. Because of their authoritative disposition, they become awfully upset when people refuse to comply with their demands. There are many hyperactive children who just like to run away from adults. They might dash off in the streets, climb trees, dismantle the house, and enjoy running away from parents with a playful attitude. It is no wonder that many of them have so many cuts, bruises and scars all over their bodies.
Another area of concern for some HDAD children, is bed-wetting which may be caused due to the deep sleep in which they sometimes fall, because they have been so active during the day. Some may soil themselves during the day, since they are so active, that they do not feel the signs that they need to use the bathroom, or they are too busy to respond. HDAD children are sometimes fearless and show their ability to be insensitive to pain, cuts and other body discomforts. They appear to be powerful and strong as they seek the attention of others.
MENTAL ABILITIES
It is important to reemphasize that HDAD children are not unintelligent, neither are they mentally retarded. The ratio of brilliant, normal and slow ranges, are most times similar to children who are not classified as HDAD. Brain damage can create areas of the problem in some cases, but all HDAD children do not have a brain damage. Therefore they should not be labeled as having mental deficiency that can hinder them from living a fairly normal life.
Such children can show excellence in academics if they are supervised and kept under control. Teachers sometimes express that they perform better in school activities if they are given "one to one attention".
Psychologists and guidance counsellors sometimes find it difficult to affirm the condition, for in most instances when diagnosis procedures are applied, they act quite differently than in the classroom. Some responses on tests are contradictory to their normal behaviour. It therefore reaffirms that if such children are under rigid control, they can in most instances improve their overall performances.
CAUSES FOR HDAD
Usually HDAD condition can be the result of the children's temperament differences with which they were born. The kind of nurturing to which the children are exposed, can worsen or improve the behaviour Research suggests that genetic disorder can also influence the condition. Small birth size and premature children sometimes have this problem. Deficiency in neurotrausmitters from the brain, can create a decreased ability to focus and give the required attention in activities. As body heights, colour of the hair, and weights differ in families, so does the temperament and behaviour styles.
It is interesting to note that lead poisoning can contribute to the condition, because lead can damage the nerves. Paul Wender suggests that lead poisoning can be had from paint on the walls of buildings or on the baby's crib. "One very important possibility is that merely living in heavy trafficked areas, and breathing air contaminated by automobile fumes, may be sufficient to develop lead poisoning. A chemical compound containing lead has been used in gasoline to improve the performance of cars." Allergists claim that hyperactivity can be caused from some of the food that children eat. Such foods can be coloured biscuits and chips, highly sweetened food items and carbonated drinks.
TREATMENT
Medication can greatly improve the condition. Psychologists, social workers and guidance counsellors can provide non-medical advice and other assistance. However, a medical doctor can prescribe medicine, which is the surest way to correct the problem. Family adjustments can be made, since in many instances disturbed families affect the children's emotions. Most HDAD children have psychological problems, which can be helped by psychotherapy interventions. A physician is the person who can provide effective and continual treatment
Some parents are afraid that medication will develop side effects, or that the children will become addicted to the medicine. Others are opinionated and have their own reactions from the suggestions of friends, relatives or books they might have read, which convey feelings that medicine is ineffective. Medicine alone can supply some of the chemicals that may be missing in the body. Medication alone will help the brain to develop adequate amounts of needed chemicals.
It is unreasonable for parents to refuse to carry out the recommendations that are made for the restoration of their children's emotional health. Most children can outgrow the HDAD problem, if parents adhere to the guidance of professionals.
Parents are therefore admonished to put away selfish pride, and accept the realities of your children's special needs. There is no justifiable reason for you to feel ashamed or embarrassed. Be proactive in your parenting skills and allow your children to develop to their maximum potentials. Every child can learn and contribute positively to society.
CAN BE CONTACTED AT : (242) 322-8783
