Do not label a child hyperactive!

                 

“Observe child around you classify the root cause of the problem take right professional help in right age”

After a long observation for many years, we thought of finally writing this in detail. We would like to discuss a burning issue, that is, in today’s world, parents, teachers and caretakers very easily label children as hyperactive. It seems that, this word has become a casual term these days, without people knowing the complexities of this disorder most among us are using it on daily basis. It has become a synonym for a naughty or undisciplined child. Hyperactivity is caused due to many unknown reasons. Yes it is possible, hyperactivity can be a part of ADHD. This is a serious disorder which needs to be treated with utmost care and professional help. There is lot more which can be done by us as parents, teachers or caretakers of these unsettled children. Though the cause of ADHD remains unknown, research suggests that the cause lies in neurology (some parts of the brain are smaller in children suffering from ADHD) or genetics (ADHD tends to run in families, so, there are likely to be genetic influences).

Although environmental and social factors can influence the severity of the disorder, they do not cause the disorder.

If the child has one or two of the following symptoms it does not mean he/she has a hyperactivity disorder:

1.      Lack of interest in regular toys, writing and reading

2.      Naughty behaviour

3.      Behaving aggressively once in a while

4.      Lack of concentration

5.      Wandering

6.      Impulsiveness

There may be different reasons behind these common symptoms. To differentiate we need do understand “What is Hyperactivity and who is Hyperactive?” Parents or teachers should have some serious check points before labeling a child hyperactive.

Here are few examples:

1.      How long child is behaving in same manner?

2.      Do not generalise make serious notes for school, home or social interactions

3.      What kind of aggressive behaviour?

4.      How was the toddler stage?

5.      How many friends are there?

6.      What kind of learning difficulties?

7.      How much sugar intake?

Hyperactivity is a state of being unusually or abnormally active. Hyperactivity is often difficult for people around the hyperactive person, such as teachers, employers, and parents. Hyperactive people often become anxious or depressed because of their condition and how people respond to them.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

If a child is suffering with one of these symptoms, provide him appropriate guidance, but do not label him hyperactive

How parents/teachers can help?

To understand hyperactive behaviour a person needs to understand ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder /ADHD disorder’. If a child is suffering from two or more symptoms mentioned above, how can the parent take professional advice?

Professional advice may be of many types. If the child is suffering from any type of learning difficulty, the child has to see a professional learning lab; those treat dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia or etc.

But if the child is suffering from any disciplinary issues or anxiety and depression, they need counselling or medical guidance and serious supervision. For example, parents, teachers or caretakers must be trained by a child psychologist or a child counsellor to handle the child in difficult times and to distract him from bad behaviour. In serious cases adults need to keep child under guided supervision.

If it is related to speech and language, the child and parent should see a speech therapist. Sometimes the child is unable to speak one particular letter, which is why it needs some sessions from a speech therapist. Parents can save children from getting bullied or any kind of harassment.

If a child is suffering from noticeable sleep disorders, the child and parent should take medical advice regarding sleep analysis. After analysing the sleep pattern of the child, doctors can find the right reason behind it.

Sometimes it may just be emotional issues due to many reasons. Parents and teachers need to observe it for some time and make notes, discuss, talk to their, help them or get them the right advice from the right person. This needs great teamwork between the family, the doctor, the teacher and the caretaker.

Autism symptoms range in presentation and severity. Children with autism frequently have an intellectual disability, but some children with autism will have normal intelligence. Children with autism may also have seizures, motor abnormalities, anxiety, sleep cycle disturbances, gastrointestinal problems, immune dysfunction and sensory disturbances. Not all the features are present in every child. Instead, a subset of features underlies autism in each individual.

So, it is very important if parents or teachers see any repetitive abnormal behaviour. They should work as a team, observe, make notes and find the suitable professional help.

Parents have to understand that in the abbreviation ADHD, “AD stands for attention deficit”. Parents, caretakers, educators, everyone has to realise that the child may just need personal attention from parents. This does not mean some hours or days; parents must give them attention for a longer period. In today’s world, young children are receiving divided attention. “A child needs appropriate quality time in all ages”. Dr. Maria Montessori discovered the best way, “Follow the child”. Actually, since ages, children are following their seniors. When children see their elders multitask, they feel like multitasking as well. There is lot of indirect learning happening in early years of life.

Parents, Teachers and caretakers, all of them need to remember that “Every child is not hyperactive”. Every child is unique and they are seeking our attention; therefore it may only be an “attention deficit”, not a disorder.

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