Hyperactivity in children (ADHD): diagnosis or parenting problems. Childhood hyperactivity: signs and treatment methods

Every mother needs to know the signs of hyperactivity in children under 3 years of age. Contrary to popular belief, hyperactivity is not just the inability to sit still, inattention, excessive noise and mobility of the baby. This is a diagnosis that should be made to you by the treating neurologist who knows your child and has been observing him for some time.

The brain forms nerve impulses too fast. These processes interfere little man concentrate on something, switch from active games to quiet rest, fall asleep. Hyperactivity may begin in a child not at the “difficult” three years, but much earlier. Some symptoms can be recognized as early as infancy. And the sooner you do this, the better it will be for you and your child.

Here are some distinctive features children suffering from hyperactivity:

The child develops physically faster than his peers. Such babies sit down early, stand up, begin to walk and crawl. They often fall off the sofas and drive their parents crazy, while their peers are still lying peacefully in their cradles. In itself, this sign does not mean anything; if there is real hyperactivity, it will manifest itself in some other way.
These children cannot simply fall asleep or rest if they are very tired. Instead of sitting down, the hyperactive baby will begin to “cut” circles around the apartment screaming at breakneck speed, and then... Putting a child with this diagnosis to sleep is difficult even in infancy; often the mother has to rock and carry her child in her arms for a long time before sleep finally comes.
From the very beginning of life, hyperactive children sleep less than others. Newborns spend most of the day sleeping, but not those who are hyperactive. These babies can stay awake for 5 hours, cry for a long time, but not fall asleep.

Another manifestation of ADHD is light sleep. The child wakes up from every rustle, shudders from any minor noise. It is very difficult to put him back to sleep; you have to rock him to sleep for a long time and carry him in your arms
A change of scenery, guests, new faces - all this for hyperactive child a real test. It's hard for him to bear this active image life of a mother, can fall into hysterics from a large number of impressions, takes a long time to recover and come to her senses after a day full of emotions. From stormy delight he turns into a long cry, then falls asleep, exhausted from tears. The more people in the room, the more tired the child becomes.
A symptom of ADHD, that is, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a strong attachment to mom. The baby is afraid of other adults, does not make contact, and hides behind his mother. Such children are jealous of their mother towards strangers and turn every conflict into hysterics.
A girl or boy with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder cannot do one thing for a long time. Any toy quickly gets boring, the baby either picks up one thing and throws it away, then picks up another and also throws it away.
Frequent mood swings are an important symptom of ADHD. One moment the child was laughing, and now he is screaming and destroying everything out of anger. If this happens often, it is worth taking him to a neurologist for examination.
Not only impulsivity and irritability signal problems of the nervous system. If a child often floats off somewhere in his dreams, gets lost in thought and doesn’t hear anyone talking to him and doesn’t pay attention to what’s happening around him, this is also a reason to ask a neurologist a question.
ADHD is often accompanied by a child's depressed mood and fears. You may notice that your baby has become withdrawn and looks sad and tired. He seemed to have lost interest in games and hobbies. Fears can make a child overly touchy and anxious.
Hyperactive children often jerk their arms and legs, fidget in their chair when they should sit quietly. While standing in line to play, they may jump up and down with anticipation. If you play a quiz with such a kid, there is a chance that he will shout out the answer even before you say the full question.
Losing things, mistakes due to inattention, switching to things that are not relevant are the eternal companions of patients diagnosed with ADHD.

All these signs do not mean that your child necessarily has a diagnosis of hyperactivity. It should be diagnosed by a neurologist. Similar behavior occurs in healthy children and is a consequence of their healthy temperament. In order not to cause premature panic and not to heal a healthy child, you need to approach the issue of diagnosis very responsibly and not judge by a few symptoms “by eye”.

A healthy child can also run, jump and stand on his head, but he will not fall into hysterics, but will come to sit quietly and watch cartoons. Another difference is that a healthy child can be easily distracted from hysterics with a toy, a song, or a bird outside the window. Good long sleep and falling asleep quickly are also a sign of a healthy nervous system.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not really a disease. With the correct approach and behavior of adults, the child will “outgrow” this condition, and in the future this brain feature will not cause him problems.

The reasons for a child's hyperactivity may be hidden during the mother's pregnancy. If she suffered from toxicosis and high blood pressure throughout her pregnancy, and the child suffered from intrauterine hypoxia, then the risk is 3 times higher than usual that the child will be born with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Stress, hard work or smoking during pregnancy can also affect the health of the nervous system of the unborn baby. In addition to perinatal factors, the course of labor may also affect the brain. At risk, childbirth by caesarean section, prolonged labor with fetal hypoxia, a long anhydrous period and the application of forceps, as well as, on the contrary, very rapid labor.

The doctor asks the mother about her family history, whether there were people in the family with this diagnosis, and asks her to characterize the baby. It is important to tell the neurologist about anything that is suspicious, whether bad dream or severe excitability. There are certain diagnostic criteria approved by the American Psychiatric Organization, and it is with them that the neurologist will correlate the parents’ stories.

In addition to conversation, there are hardware diagnostic methods, such as an electroencephalographic study or a study using magnetic resonance imaging. These are completely painless methods that can give a complete picture of the state of the child’s nervous system.

How to raise a child with hyperactivity

If you are the mother of a hyperactive child, try not to overload his psyche with unnecessary vivid impressions and noise. Carefully consider visits and family holidays, visits to parks and cultural events. You should not turn on the TV in the background or watch cartoons for a long time. After watching cartoons, children often get very tired without realizing it.

Some tips for dealing with hyperactive children:

Clearly formulate your requests and requirements. Do not speak in long sentences and flowery language, and do not load the request to remove the toys with additional morality and meaning. A child with hyperactivity has poorly developed logical and abstract thinking, and it will be difficult for him to understand you.
Formulate prohibitions correctly. Try to limit the use of negatives and the word “no”; instead of “don’t run around the club” say “run along the sidewalk”. Any prohibition must have a reason; explain it clearly and briefly to your child. Offer an alternative. For example, you can’t hit a cat, but you can pet it. You cannot pour water from a mug onto the floor, but you can pour it into the bathtub.
Don't forget about consistency. There is no need to give your child several tasks at once. “Put away the toys, wash your hands and go eat,” he most likely will not understand. At some stage he will get distracted, forget what was required of him, and start playing. Voice each request separately, first about toys, when the toys are put away, it’s time to wash your hands, and only then invite them to the table.
Help you navigate through time. Instead of dragging your child home from a walk right away, warn him in advance that it will be time to go home soon - 20 minutes before the required time, for example. Remind again after 10 minutes, and again after five. By the time of training camp, the child will already be mentally prepared for the fact that he needs to switch from the game. The same applies to “it’s time to go to bed” and “it’s time to turn off the cartoons.”
Provide choice. Invite your child to choose from two toys, items of clothing, or two or three dishes. This arrangement of the usual “get dressed” and “go eat” gives the child the feeling that he himself can make some decisions, which means that his mother trusts him.

If you clearly see that the child is overexcited and cannot cope with emotions, take him to quiet place, for example, to another room, offer him water. Hugs and pats on the head will help. The child should feel that the mother is calm and that she loves him. Before going to bed, following rituals, a bath with an extract of hop cones or pine needles, and reading a book helps a lot. You can give a light massage, sing a quiet song. It is not recommended to watch cartoons before bed, maximum one short cartoon lasting 10-15 minutes.

Rules for parents

Keep a clear daily routine. This is essential for a child with ADHD. , sleep and bathing - everything should happen at the same time. This will help your beloved child tune in in advance and give him a feeling of calm and solid ground under his feet. In your diet, you should limit the consumption of food additives and dyes, the consumption of chocolate and large amounts of sugar and salt.

In the baby's room there should not be many bright distracting pictures, a large number of scattered toys lying on the floor and scattering his attention. At all small child Give toys one or two at a time, remove them as soon as he loses interest. A 2-year-old can already take part in cleaning himself.

Every time the child managed to control himself, overcame hysteria and was able to calm down in time, praise and encourage him. Positive reinforcement will help him regulate his behavior. Your relationship should be trusting. Believe me, it’s already hard for him, there’s no need to aggravate the matter with swearing and quarrels.

Permissiveness creates intuitive fear in children and leads to neuroses. Clearly define for yourself what exactly is not allowed and why, do not deviate from the accepted framework. It is important here not to overdo it with prohibitions. You can mark your child’s successes with stars, and when they accumulate 5 or 10, reward the baby with a cute present.

Remember, the baby does not behave this way to spite you; it is difficult for him to cope with himself. He attracts attention to himself by asking for your help. Be your child’s ally in conflicts on the playground, do not listen to relatives who say that you don’t need to pick up the child and calm him down, and to advisers with the eternal “let him yell.” In difficult times, a little person needs a loving and calm mother nearby, her support and understanding.

Drug therapy for ADHD

A child with ADHD may benefit from taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement and enriching their diet with omega-3 fatty acids. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are especially important; they are often deficient in the blood of those suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The combination of magnesium and vitamin B6 is very beneficial for the functioning of the nervous system. Patients experience a decrease in aggressiveness and improvement in attention after. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe mild sedatives such as valerian and motherwort.

Russian doctors often prescribe nootropic drugs (piracetam, glycine, phenibut, pantogam) to improve metabolic processes in the brain and increase cortical tone in patients with ADHD. Clinically, their effectiveness has not been proven, but neurologists often note in practice an improvement in the condition of children with hyperactivity and a decrease in the severity of symptoms of attention deficit disorder.

Diet for treating hyperactivity

Many parents note an improvement in their children's condition when following a gluten-free diet. Others benefit from a diet that eliminates sucrose and starch. For patients with hyperactivity, everything that is good for brain tissue is useful: a large number of protein from meat, nuts and legumes, carbohydrates from vegetables and fruits, fatty fish, olive oil. Eliminate sweets and snacks with preservatives, flavor enhancers, and dyes from your child’s diet.

Experts advise mothers and fathers to find those foods to which the baby may have an individual intolerance. To do this, rotate foods and keep a food diary. Eliminate one product at a time from your child’s diet and monitor his condition.

If a child goes to kindergarten, talk to the teacher, tell us about the problem. Hyperactive children need special approach and attention. Teachers working with a child must know his diagnosis and characteristics. The same goes for relatives and family friends who often visit your home. Hyperactivity is a diagnosis that your baby will definitely outgrow if you find out about it in time and provide it to your child proper care and help. There is nothing terrible about it, mostly adults who suffered from ADHD in childhood forget about their condition and live the same way as all healthy men and women. There is a chance that within a year or two of proper treatment you will get rid of any manifestations of hyperactivity.

One of the most common diseases in children is hyperactivity. According to statistics, 20% of children aged 3 to 5 years have this diagnosis. This is when the disease manifests itself to its maximum.

A hyperactive child experiences inconvenience during learning and does not socialize well. It is difficult for him to establish contact with peers and concentrate on gaining knowledge. The pathology may be accompanied by other diseases of the nervous system.

In 1970, hyperactivity was included in the international classification of diseases. It was given the name ADHD, or attention deficit disorder. The disease is a disorder of the brain that results in permanent nervous tension. Children shock adults with behavior that does not correspond to established standards.

Teachers usually complain about students who are too active. They are restless and constantly undermine discipline. Mental and physical activity is increased. Memory and motor skills may remain unimpaired. The disease most often occurs in boys.

Reasons for the development of pathology

Most often, brain malfunctions begin in utero. Hyperactivity can lead to:

finding the uterus in good shape (threat of miscarriage);
hypoxia;
maternal smoking or poor diet during pregnancy;
constant stress experienced by a woman.

Sometimes pathology occurs due to disruption of the birth process:

swiftness;
a prolonged period of contractions or pushing;
use of drugs for stimulation;
birth before 38 weeks.

Hyperactivity syndrome occurs most rarely due to other reasons not related to the birth of the baby:

diseases of the nervous system;
family problems (conflicts, tense relationships between mom and dad);
overly strict parenting;
chemical poisoning;
violation of the diet.

The listed reasons are risk factors. It is not necessary that a baby with this syndrome is born during a rapid birth. If the pregnant mother was constantly nervous, often in confinement due to uterine hypertonicity or oligohydramnios, then the risk of ADHD increases.

Symptoms of pathology

It is quite difficult to separate excessive activity and simple mobility. Many parents mistakenly diagnose their children with ADHD when in reality this problem does not exist. Some symptoms may indicate neurasthenia, so you cannot prescribe treatment yourself. If you suspect hyperactivity, consult a specialist.

Before the age of 1 year, brain disorders manifest themselves with symptoms:

excessive excitability;
violent reaction to daily procedures (crying during bathing, massage, hygiene procedures);
increased sensitivity to stimuli: sound, light;
problems with sleep (babies periodically wake up at night, stay awake for a long time during the day, find it difficult to sleep);
delayed psychomotor development (begin to crawl, walk, talk, sit later).

Children under 2-3 years of age may experience speech problems. She for a long time is at the babbling stage, the baby has difficulty forming word combinations and complex sentences.

Hyperactivity is not diagnosed until one year of age, since the symptoms described may appear due to the baby’s whims or work problems. digestive system or during teething.

Psychologists around the world have recognized that there is a crisis of 3 years. With hyperactivity, it is acute. At the same time, older family members are thinking about socialization. They begin to take the baby to preschool institutions. This is where ADHD begins to manifest itself:

restlessness;
chaotic movements;
motor impairment (clumsiness, inability to hold cutlery or a pencil correctly);
speech problems;
inattention;
disobedience.

Parents may notice that getting their preschooler to sleep becomes difficult. A three-year-old child begins to feel very tired in the evening. The baby begins to cry for no reason and show aggression. This is how accumulated fatigue makes itself felt, but despite it the baby continues to move, actively play, and talk loudly.

ADHD is most often diagnosed in children between 4 and 5 years of age. If mom and dad paid little attention to the health of the preschooler, then the symptoms will appear in primary school. They will be noticeable:

inability to concentrate;
restlessness: during the lesson the student jumps up from his seat;
problems with adult speech perception;
hot temper;
frequent nervous tics;
lack of independence, incorrect assessment of one’s strengths;
severe headaches;
imbalance;
enuresis;
numerous phobias, increased anxiety.

You may notice that a hyperactive student has excellent intelligence, but has problems with academic performance. As a rule, the syndrome is accompanied by conflicts with peers.

Other children avoid overly active children, because it is difficult to find them mutual language. Children with ADHD often become conflict instigators. They are overly touchy, impulsive, aggressive, and mistakenly assess the consequences of their actions.

Features of the syndrome

For most adults, a diagnosis of ADHD sounds like a death sentence. They consider their children to be mentally retarded or defective. This is a big mistake on their part: due to prevailing myths, parents forget that a hyperactive child:

Creative. He is full of ideas, and his imagination is better developed than that of ordinary children. If his elders help him, he can become an excellent specialist with a non-standard approach or creative person with lots of ideas.
The owner of a flexible mind. He finds a solution not an easy task, making your work easier.
Enthusiast, bright personality. He is interested in many things, he tries to attract attention to himself, strives to communicate with as many people as possible.
Unpredictable, energetic. This quality can be called both positive and negative. On the one hand, he has enough strength for many different things, but on the other hand, it is simply impossible to keep him in place.

It is believed that a child with hyperactivity constantly moves chaotically. This is a persistent myth. If a preschooler is completely absorbed in an activity, he will spend several hours doing it. It is important to encourage such hobbies.

Parents need to understand that hyperactivity in children does not in any way affect their intelligence and talent. These are often gifted children; in addition to treatment, they need education aimed at developing the skills given by nature. Usually they sing well, dance, design, recite poems, and enjoy performing in public.

Types of disease

Hyperactivity syndrome in children may have different symptoms, since this disease has several forms:

Attention deficit without excessive activity. Most often this variety occurs in girls. They dream a lot, have a wild imagination, and often lie.
Increased excitability without attention deficit. This is the rarest pathology, accompanied by damage to the central nervous system.
Classic ADHD. The most common form, its course scenario is individual for each case.

Regardless of how the disease progresses, it must be treated. To do this, you need to undergo several examinations, interact with doctors, psychologists, and teachers. In most cases, children are prescribed sedatives. A consultation with a psychoanalyst is mandatory for parents. They must learn to accept the illness and not put “labels” on the child.

Diagnostic features

At the first visit to specialists, it is impossible to make a diagnosis. A final verdict requires observation lasting about six months. It is carried out by specialists:

psychologist;
neurologist;
psychiatrist.

All family members are often afraid of going to a psychiatrist. Do not hesitate to come to him for a consultation. An experienced specialist will help you correctly assess the condition of a small patient and prescribe treatment. The examination should include:

conversation or interview;
behavior observation;
neuropsychological testing;
filling out questionnaires by parents.

Based on this data, doctors receive complete information about the behavior of a small patient, which allows them to distinguish an active baby from one who has disorders. Other pathologies may be hidden behind hyperactivity, so you should be prepared to undergo:

Brain MRI;
ECHO CG;
blood tests.

In order to promptly identify concomitant pathologies, it is necessary to consult with an endocrinologist, epileptologist, speech therapist, ophthalmologist, and otolaryngologist. It is important to wait for a final diagnosis.
If doctors refuse to refer you for examinations, contact the head of the clinic or work through psychologists from educational institutions.

Complex treatment

There is no universal ADHD pill yet. Children are always prescribed complex treatment. Some recommendations on how to help a hyperactive child:

Correction of motor activity. Children should not play competitive sports. Demonstrations of achievements (without evaluations) and static loads are acceptable. Suitable species sports: swimming, skiing, cycling. Aerobic exercise is allowed.
Interaction with a psychologist. Techniques are used to reduce the level of anxiety of a small patient and to increase his communication skills. Success scenarios are modeled and activities are selected to help increase self-esteem. The specialist gives exercises to develop memory, speech, and attention. If the violations are serious, then a speech therapist is involved in corrective classes.
A change of scenery and environment is useful. If the treatment is beneficial, the attitude towards the baby will be better in the new team.
Parents react sharply to behavioral problems of their children. Mothers are often diagnosed with depression, irritability, impulsiveness, and intolerance. Visiting a psychotherapist with the whole family allows you to quickly cope with hyperactivity.
Auto-training, classes in sensory relaxation rooms. They improve the activity of the nervous system and stimulate the cerebral cortex.
Correcting the behavior of the whole family, changing habits and daily routines.
Therapy using medications. In America, psychostimulants are often prescribed for ADHD. In Russia they are prohibited for use, since this group of medicines has a lot of side effects. Doctors recommend nootropic drugs and sedatives that contain herbal ingredients.

Drug therapy is used only when other methods of treatment have failed. The use of nootropics for hyperactivity does not have an evidence base; they are usually prescribed to improve blood supply to the brain and normalize metabolic processes in it. Using these medications can improve memory and concentration.

Parents should be prepared for the course of treatment to last several months. Medicines They give a positive effect after 4-6 months, but you will have to work with a psychologist for more than one year.

No one can be diagnosed with ADHD without testing. Only a specialist can see signs of hyperactivity in children. You should not make a diagnosis or prescribe medications on your own. Do not neglect the recommendations of specialists and conduct regular examinations. Many people are interested in the peculiarities of life in a family with a hyperactive child - what should parents do - the advice of a psychologist in this case is as follows:

Organize your day. Include consistent rituals. For example, before bed, give your baby a bath, change him into pajamas, and read a story. Do not change your daily routine, this will save you from hysterics and excitement in the evening.
A calm and friendly environment at home will help minimize energy emissions. Unexpected arrivals of guests and noisy parties are not a suitable atmosphere for children with hyperactivity.
Pick up sports section and make sure you attend classes regularly.
If the situation allows, do not limit the activity of the baby. He will throw out his energy and become calmer.
Punishments such as sitting still for long periods of time or doing tedious work are not suitable for children with ADHD.

Many people are interested in how to calm a hyperactive child. To do this, psychotherapists provide individual consultations based on changes in the educational process. First of all, keep in mind that with ADHD children deny any inhibitions.

Using the words “no” and “can’t” is sure to provoke hysterics. Psychologists recommend making sentences without using direct negatives.

Tantrums need to be prevented. This can be done by correcting behavior.

Another problem with ADHD is lack of time control and frequent attention shifts. Gently guide your child back to the goal. Make sure that the task takes a certain amount of time to complete. Give directions or teach lessons sequentially. Don't ask multiple questions at once.

Spend a lot of time with overly active children and pay attention to them. Engage in joint activities with them: walk through the forest, pick berries and mushrooms, go on picnics or hikes.

At the same time, avoid noisy events that have a stimulating effect on the psyche. Change the background of your life. Instead of watching TV, turn on calm music and limit your time watching cartoons.

If a hyperactive baby is overexcited, do not yell at him and exclude physical violence. Speak to him in a calm and firm tone, hug him, take him to a quiet place (away from other children and people), find words of comfort, listen.

Features of the learning process

Treatment of hyperactivity in children school age should be carried out together with teachers. They must know about the student’s problems and be able to engage him in class. Most often, programs with creative elements in classes, facilitated presentation of material.

Nowadays, inclusive education is being developed throughout the country, which, with the syndrome, allows children to gain knowledge not at home, but in a group. Problems and misunderstandings cannot be ruled out. The teacher must be able to resolve conflicts in the classroom.

During the lesson, hyperactive children need to be involved in active actions. The teacher should give such students small assignments. They can wash the blackboard, take out the trash, hand out notebooks, and go get chalk. A little warm-up during the lesson will allow you to splash out the accumulated energy.

Possible consequences

You shouldn’t let pathology take its course. The child is not able to cope with ADHD on his own. He will not outgrow this syndrome.

In advanced cases, hyperactivity leads to manifestations of physical aggression towards oneself and others:

bullying by peers;
fights;
attempts to beat parents;
suicidal tendencies.

Often a hyperactive student with a high IQ graduates from school with unsatisfactory grades. He cannot get an education at a university or college and has problems finding employment.

In an unfavorable social atmosphere, the grown-up student leads a marginal lifestyle, takes drugs or abuses alcohol.

In a supportive environment, ADHD can be beneficial. Mozart and Einstein are known to have had this syndrome. However, you should not rely only on natural data. Help your child realize his importance and direct his energy in the right direction.

is a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), neurological and behavioral disorders that develop in childhood. The behavior of a hyperactive child is characterized by restlessness, distractibility, difficulty concentrating, impulsiveness, increased motor activity, etc. A hyperactive child requires a neuropsychological and neurological (EEG, MRI) examination. Helping a hyperactive child involves individual psychological and pedagogical support, psychotherapy, non-drug and drug therapy.

According to the criteria developed by the DSM in 1994, ADHD can be recognized if a child maintains at least 6 signs of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity over a six-month period. Therefore, upon initial contact with specialists, a diagnosis of ADHD is not made, but the child is observed and examined. In the process of clinical and psychological examination of a hyperactive child, methods of interview, conversation, and direct observation are used; obtaining information from teachers and parents using diagnostic questionnaires, neuropsychological testing.

The need for a basic pediatric and neurological examination is due to the fact that ADHD-like syndrome may hide various somatic and neurological disorders (hyperthyroidism, anemia, epilepsy, chorea, hearing and vision impairment, and many others). For the purpose of clarifying diagnosis, a hyperactive child may be prescribed consultations with specialized pediatric specialists (pediatric endocrinologist, pediatric otolaryngologist, pediatric ophthalmologist, epileptologist), EEG, MRI of the brain, general and biochemical blood tests, etc. Consultation with a speech therapist allows for the diagnosis of disorders writing and outline a plan for corrective work with a hyperactive child.

Hyperactivity in children should be differentiated from fetal alcohol syndrome, post-traumatic damage to the central nervous system, chronic lead poisoning, manifestations individual characteristics temperament, pedagogical neglect, mental retardation, etc.

ADHD correction

A hyperactive child needs comprehensive individualized support, including psychological and pedagogical correction, psychotherapy, non-drug and medicinal correction.

A hyperactive child is recommended to have a gentle learning regimen (small-sized classes, shortened lessons, dosed tasks), adequate sleep, nutritious meals, long walks, and sufficient physical activity. Due to increased excitability, the participation of hyperactive children in public events should be limited. Under the guidance of a child psychologist and psychotherapist, autogenic training, individual, group, family and behavioral psychotherapy, body-oriented therapy, and biofeedback technologies are conducted. In the correction of ADHD, the entire environment of the hyperactive child should be actively involved: parents, educators, school teachers.

Pharmacotherapy is an auxiliary method for correcting ADHD. It involves the administration of atomoxetine hydrochloride, which blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and improves synaptic transmission in various brain structures; nootropic drugs (pyritinol, cortexin, choline alfoscerate, phenibut, hopantenic acid); micronutrients (magnesium, pyridoxine), etc. In some cases, a good effect is achieved using kinesiotherapy and massage cervical region spine, manual therapy.

Elimination of violations of written speech is carried out within the framework of targeted speech therapy sessions for the correction of dysgraphia and dyslexia.

Prediction and prevention of ADHD

Timely and comprehensive correctional work allows a hyperactive child to learn to build relationships with peers and adults, control his own behavior, and prevent difficulties in social adaptation. Psychological and pedagogical support for a hyperactive child contributes to the formation of socially acceptable behavior. In the absence of attention to ADHD problems in adolescence and adulthood, the risk of social maladaptation, alcoholism and drug addiction increases.

Prevention of hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder should begin long before the birth of a child and include providing conditions for the normal course of pregnancy and childbirth, caring for the health of children, and creating a favorable microclimate in the family and children's team.

Children's hyperactivity is clearly manifested in their behavior and violent emotional expression. All actions and experiences of children with ADHD are characterized by the prefix “over” - they are impulsive, stubborn, absent-minded, capricious, and much more excited than is typical for ordinary children. The persistence of this behavior alarms parents and pediatricians. Determining whether it is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or a parenting error is a complex task, and there is no clear solution for it. What remains for parents? Let us examine in more detail the concept of attention deficit disorder, taking into account all the assumptions.

Excessive impulsiveness, emotionality, unpredictability of reactions - this is how you can describe the character of a child with attention deficit disorder

What can cause ADHD?

Adverse factors that influenced the course of pregnancy. Maternal smoking, stressful situations, various diseases, taking medications - all this negatively affects the fetus’s body.
Neuralgia disorders that occurred at birth or during intrauterine development. Often, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder occurs after hypoxia (lack of oxygen) or asphyxia (suffocation) occurs during childbirth or fetal development in the womb.
The cause may also be premature or very rapid labor. Affects the diagnosis of ADHD and stimulation of the birth process.
Social factors when a baby grows up in an unfavorable environment. Frequent conflicts between adults, poor nutrition, too soft or harsh methods of education, the lifestyle and temperament of the child himself.

The combination of several dangerous factors increases the risk of ADHD in children. The child suffered asphyxia during childbirth, his upbringing is carried out within strict limits, he faces frequent conflicts in the family - the result will be a clearly manifested hyperactivity of the baby.

How to spot signs of ADHD?

This article talks about typical ways to solve your issues, but each case is unique! If you want to find out from me how to solve your particular problem, ask your question. It's fast and free!

It is not always easy to independently determine whether a child has ADHD. It is possible that attention deficit is the result of other neurological problems. Manifestations of symptoms characteristic of ADHD:

The first symptoms of hyperactivity are noticeable in infancy. Hyperactive children are characterized by violent reactions to loud sounds and noise, they sleep poorly, lag behind in the development of motor skills, and are excited in games and when bathing.
A child is 3 years old - the age when the moment comes called the three-year-old crisis. Many children at this age are prone to whims, stubbornness, and mood swings. Children with hyperactivity make everything several times brighter. Their behavior is characterized by delayed development of speech skills, awkward movements, interspersed with fussiness and chaos. There are frequent complaints of headaches, fatigue, enuresis,.
Marked restlessness. It appears in kindergarten during activities that require concentration. In addition, in a kindergarten setting, the baby has difficulty falling asleep, does not want to sit on the potty, does not want to eat, and cannot be calmed down.
Problems of preschool age. A child with hyperactivity does not learn well the materials that prepare him for school, but this does not indicate a delay in the child’s development, but rather a decrease in concentration. The baby cannot sit in one place and does not listen to the teacher.
Poor performance at school. Children with hyperactivity do not get bad grades because of low mental abilities. Blame it on disciplinary requirements. Children are not able to sit quietly for 45 minutes of a lesson, listen carefully, write and do tasks suggested by the teacher.
Mental problems. From an early age, hyperactive children develop various phobias. Symptoms such as tearfulness, short temper, touchiness, irritability, distrust, anxiety, and suspicion are clearly manifested.

Typically, such children do poorly at school and cannot calmly sit until the end of the lesson or complete their homework in full.

Parents are especially concerned about the fact that the symptoms of ADHD can be complex - they appear regularly and vividly in children.

How is the problem diagnosed?

Doctors do not give a seven-year-old child a neurological diagnosis, even with severe hyperactivity, and do not use medications. The decision is related to the psychology of the growing organism. Preschool children experience two serious psychological crises at 3 years and 7 years (we recommend reading:). So what criteria does a doctor use to make a verdict about ADHD? Let's look at two lists of criteria used to diagnose the disease.

Eight signs of hyperactivity

Children's movements are fussy and chaotic.
They sleep restlessly: they roll around a lot, talk often, laugh or cry in their sleep, throw off the blanket, and walk around at night.
It is difficult to sit in a chair; they constantly turn from side to side.
There is almost no state of rest; they run, jump, spin, and jump all the time.
They don't handle sitting in line well and can get up and leave.
They talk too much.
When talking to someone, they do not listen to the interlocutor, try to interrupt, are distracted from the conversation, and do not answer questions asked.
When asked to wait, they respond with expressed impatience.

Eight signs of attention deficit

There is no desire to perform the task given to them well. Any work (cleaning, homework) is done quickly and carelessly, often not completed.
It is difficult to concentrate on details; the child remembers them poorly and cannot reproduce them.
Frequent immersion in one’s own world, absent-minded gaze, difficulties with communication.
The conditions of the games are poorly understood and they are constantly violated.
Severe absent-mindedness, resulting in personal items being lost, misplaced, and then unable to be found.
There is no personal self-discipline. You have to constantly monitor and organize.
Quickly switching attention from one subject or object to another.
The controlling mechanism is the “spirit of destruction.” They break toys and other things, but do not admit to what they have done.

If you find 5-6 coincidences in the child’s behavior with the diagnosis of ADHD, show it to specialists (psychotherapist, neurologist, psychologist). The doctor will comprehensively study the problem and find a competent solution.

Treatment methods

Methods for correcting ADHD in children are selected individually. When choosing a treatment method, the doctor proceeds from the degree of development of the problem. After talking with the parents and observing the child, the specialist decides what is necessary in a particular case. Treatment of hyperactive children can be carried out in two directions: medication, with the help of ADHD drugs, or through psychotherapeutic correction.

Medication method

Doctors in the United States and the West treat hyperactivity in children with psychostimulants. Such drugs improve concentration and quickly produce visible positive changes, but they are also characterized side effect: children experience headaches, disturbed sleep, appetite, nervousness and excessive irritability, they are reluctant to communicate.

Russian specialists do not resort to psychostimulants in the treatment of ADHD, based on the protocol for the treatment of ADHD, according to which the use of such drugs is prohibited. They are replaced by nootropic drugs - a group of psychotropic drugs intended for a specific effect on the higher functions of the brain, which increase its resistance to influence negative factors, thereby improving memory and cognitive activity in general. There is no shortage of ADHD medications on the market. Strattera capsule tablets are recognized as an effective representative of ADHD medications. Depressants are given to a child under the strict supervision of a doctor.

Strattera tablets should not be prescribed independently, as they directly affect nervous activity and should only be taken under strict medical supervision

Psychological and psychotherapeutic methods

The methods of psychologists and psychotherapists are aimed at correcting behavior. Designed to help improve memory, develop speech skills and thinking. Specialists strive to increase the child’s self-esteem and give him creative tasks. To reduce the syndrome, it is introduced modeling of communication situations that can facilitate communication between hyperactive children and peers and adults. To correct ADHD, a relaxation method is used to help the child relax and normalize brain and nervous activity. A speech therapist deals with speech defects. Complex cases require a combination of medications and psychological methods correct the situation.

What do parents need to know?

If the problem is identified and there is no doubt about it, parents should know how to properly raise a hyperactive child. Proceed like this:

Increase your child's self-esteem. The child’s misunderstood hyperactivity pushes adults to constantly reprimand and pull back. They do not ask him, but order him to “shut up”, “sit down”, “calm down”. A little man hears such words in the garden, at home, and at school - he develops a feeling of his own inferiority, while he is in dire need of encouragement and praise. Do this often.
When building a relationship with your son or daughter, respect personal qualities. Put aside your emotional perception of their behavior, act strictly but fairly. When punishing your child, coordinate your decision with other family members. Understanding that it is difficult for a child to restrain himself and that he indulges in all kinds of bad things, do not do this yourself. Your slipping off the brakes may be perceived by him as normal.
When keeping your child busy with household chores, give him simple and short-term tasks for which he has enough patience. Be sure to reward him if he completes them.
Obtaining informative knowledge should be dosed. Allow no more than 15 minutes per lesson to read and prepare lessons. Give your child a break by inviting him to play, then return to your lessons.
If the child is accustomed to being forgiven for all his pranks at home, then he will certainly face a negative attitude towards his antics at school or kindergarten. Your help consists of clearly explaining to the child his incorrect behavior. Discuss the conflict with him, find a solution to the situation.
A good solution is to invite your child to keep a diary, which will reflect all his small victories. Such visual illustration achievements will be constructive help.

It is very important for parents to speak with their child as equals, explain their position, and increase their self-esteem. In this way, you can direct excess energy in a positive direction and gently correct your baby’s behavior.

Difficulties of social adaptation

When children with ADHD come to kindergarten or school, they immediately end up on the list of “difficult” students. Hyperactive behavior is perceived by others as inappropriate. Sometimes the situation is such that parents are forced to change schools or kindergartens. You have to teach your child to be tolerant, flexible, polite, friendly - only such qualities will help him in social adaptation.

The term “hyperactive child” has been on everyone’s lips lately: doctors, educators, teachers, psychologists, parents. How to distinguish a fidget from a baby with signs of attention deficit? How to distinguish between ordinary pampering and neurological disorders?

A hyperactive child is characterized by a number of qualities: impulsive, excited, stubborn, capricious, spoiled, inattentive, absent-minded, unbalanced. It is important to understand: in what situations you need professional help from a psychologist, drug treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and when it is necessary to reconsider the principles of education. It often happens that parents are looking for a “rescue pill.” But it is enough to rebuild the relationship with your son or daughter for recovery to occur in the most in a natural way. This requires time, effort, patience and, most importantly, the desire to change something in yourself and your relationship with your children.

What is hyperactivity associated with?

The causes of hyperactivity in children most often lie in the perinatal period of fetal development and difficult labor.

Unfavorable pregnancy. Stress, smoking, poor lifestyle, illness, taking medications during pregnancy - all this can affect the development and formation of the fetal nervous system.
Neurological disorders during fetal development and at birth. Hypoxia (lack of oxygen during intrauterine development) and asphyxia (suffocation) are the most common reasons ADHD. Rapid or premature labor and stimulation of labor can also affect it.
Additional factors. Unfavorable psychological atmosphere in the family, conflicts between parents, too hard or soft methods of education, nutrition, lifestyle, temperament of the child.

The likelihood of ADHD increases significantly if these factors are combined. For example, a child was born with asphyxia, premature, he is brought up in strictness and constant conflicts - hyperactivity in such a baby can clearly manifest itself.

How to recognize hyperactivity in a child

Diagnosing ADHD is not easy because signs of hyperactivity can be symptoms of other neurological disorders. What should you pay attention to?

First symptoms. May appear in infancy. Poor sleep, long periods of wakefulness from the first months of life, excitability of the baby, atypical violent reaction to noise, bright light, games, hygiene procedures, a slight lag in the development of motor skills - all these can be the first precursors of hyperactivity in children under one year old.
Age 3 years.
A turning point in a child’s life, when the famous three-year crisis occurs. At this time, most children experience capriciousness, stubbornness, and mood swings. In hyperactive children, these signs appear even more clearly. Also, children with ADHD experience awkward, chaotic, fussy movements, and speech develops late.
Health. Hyperactive kids often complain of fatigue and headaches. Such children are often diagnosed with enuresis and nervous tics. The first signs of restlessness.
Kindergarten teachers can pay attention to them. When the process of socialization begins and the child leaves the family, signs of restlessness become more obvious. In kindergarten, it is impossible to put a baby to sleep, feed him, sit him on a potty, or calm him down. Disturbances in the development of memory and attention in. Children under 7 years of age develop intensively memory and attention. A child with ADHD experiences slow learning when preparing for school. And this is not explained by a developmental delay, but by insufficient concentration of attention. It is difficult for a child with signs of hyperactivity to sit in one place and listen to the teacher.
Failure in school. Let us emphasize once again that poor grades in children are associated with hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder, and not with their mental inclinations. On the contrary, hyperactive schoolchildren are often precocious. But the problem is that it is difficult for them to integrate into the system and discipline: it is difficult to sit through 45 minutes of a lesson, listen, write, and complete the teacher’s assignments.
Mental aspects. Over time, the following qualities appear: hot temper, irritability, touchiness, tearfulness, anxiety, distrust, suspicion. Already in early age The baby may develop phobias, which can persist into adolescence and throughout life if they are not addressed.
Perspective.

In adolescence, such a child, as a rule, develops (more precisely, it is formed by adults) low self-esteem. A hyperactive teenager can be aggressive, intolerant, conflict-ridden, and uncommunicative. It is difficult for him to find friends, to establish warm, friendly relationships. In the future, he may develop antisocial behavior. Symptoms of ADHD in children appear complexly and regularly. You should not immediately attribute a “fashionable” diagnosis to your child for excitability, poor sleep, and moodiness, which are observed from time to time. Many objective factors can change the psycho-emotional state of the baby. The reason may be teething, a change of environment, visiting a kindergarten, failure in a game, etc. Even climatic conditions

influence the condition and behavior of the baby.

Diagnosis of ADHD

And yet, until the age of 6-7, no one makes a neurological diagnosis, even if there are signs of ADHD. This is explained by the psychological characteristics of preschool children. In preschool age, children experience two serious psychological crises - at 3 years old and 7 years old. What criteria are used to make a medical diagnosis of ADHD?

8 manifestations of hyperactivity
Chaotic, fussy movements.
Restless sleep: turns around, talks in his sleep, throws off the blanket, can walk at night.
Cannot sit in a chair for long, spins around all the time.
If you need to sit and wait (for example, in a queue), you can get up and leave.
Excessively talkative.
Doesn't answer the questions asked, interrupts, interferes in someone else's conversation, doesn't hear what they say to him.
Shows impatience if asked to wait.

8 manifestations of attention deficit

Carelessly and quickly completes assigned tasks (homework, cleaning the room, etc.), does not complete the task.
Has difficulty concentrating on details, cannot remember or reproduce them.
There is an absent look, immersion in one’s own world, and communication difficulties.
Difficulty in understanding the terms of the game and often violates them.
Absent-minded, often loses personal items or puts it in such a way that it cannot be found later.
There is no self-discipline, you need to organize it all the time.
Easily shifts attention to other objects.
The “spirit of destruction” lives in him: he often breaks toys and things, but denies his involvement in the matter.

If parents count 5-6 matches from the listed criteria, they need to see a pediatric neurologist, psychotherapist and psychologist.

How to treat a child

When treating hyperactivity in children, it is important to understand what will be most effective for a particular child? What is the degree of ADHD? Is it worth using immediately? medications Or is psychotherapeutic correction enough?

Medication methods

Medical treatment of ADHD with psychostimulants is more often used in the West and in the United States. Stimulants help increase concentration in children and provide quick positive results. However, they have a number of side effects: poor sleep, appetite, headaches, irritability, nervousness, reluctance to communicate. These signs usually appear at the very beginning of treatment. They can be reduced as follows: reducing the dose and replacing the drug with an analogue. Psychostimulants are prescribed only when complex forms attention deficit when no other method works. These include: Dexedrine, Focalin, Vyvanse, Adderall and many others. In Russia, the prescription of psychostimulant drugs is avoided because, according to the protocol for the treatment of ADHD, they are prohibited. They are replaced with nootropic drugs. The drug "Strattera" is widely used in the treatment of ADHD in children. Any antidepressants for attention deficit disorder should be used with great caution and only under the supervision of a physician.

Working with a psychologist and psychotherapist

This is the most important part of therapy, which difficult cases carried out in parallel with drug treatment. Psychologist and psychotherapist use a variety of techniques to correct the behavior of a hyperactive child. Various exercises are given to develop attention, speech, thinking, memory, increase self-esteem, and creative tasks. Various communication situations are also modeled to help the child find a common language with parents and peers. Specialists have to work with anxiety and fears in hyperactive children. Relaxation methods are often used to help relax, relieve tension, and normalize the functioning of the brain and nervous system. For speech defects, sessions with a speech therapist are recommended.

What is important to know? Psychocorrection for a child will be effective only when the parents cooperate with the specialist and accurately carry out all the tasks and advice of the psychologist or psychotherapist. Parents often have the following attitude: “cure the child,” while family relationships need to be treated.

Lifestyle correction

Daily routine and hyperactivity are two things that, at first glance, are incompatible. And yet, parents need to arrange life according to a schedule for the fidget.

It is extremely important to maintain a sleep schedule: go to bed and get up on time. If a restless person is behind schedule, it is difficult to put him to bed and difficult to bring him to his senses in the morning. You should not overload such children with information before bedtime or play active games. The air in the room should be fresh and cool.
Organize nutritious meals. You need to avoid snacking, especially fast food. It is advisable to reduce fast carbohydrates (sweets, baked goods) in the diet, which excite nervous system.
Walking before bed. Fresh air calms the nervous system. In addition, there will be good opportunity talk, discuss how your day went.
Physical exercise. Necessary in the life of a hyperactive child to discharge his irrepressible energy. You can try yourself in individual and team sports. Although the latter will be more difficult. Athletics, gymnastics, cycling, and swimming are most suitable. It’s good if a child plays sports for himself. Competitions and any competitive moment will bring even more tension and aggression. Much in this situation depends on the coach and his teaching skills.

Reminder for parents raising a child with ADHD

How to raise a hyperactive child?

Increase self-esteem. Hyperactive children are often punished and discouraged: “sit down”, “don’t move around”, “shut up”, “calm down”, etc. This is regularly repeated at school, at home, in the garden. Such comments create a feeling of inferiority in the child. All children need to be praised, but hyperactive children especially need emotional support and praise.
Build personal boundaries with children. You need to raise fidgets in strictness, but fairness. Punishments and restrictions must be consistent, appropriate, and agreed upon by all family members. Children with signs of ADHD often do not have “brakes.” The task of parents is to show their own boundaries, demonstrate parental will and make it clear who is boss in the house, and clearly formulate prohibitions. There should be no aggression. If mom and dad have too soft a character, a hyperactive family member will certainly take the reins of power.
Small and useful tasks. Hyperactive children should be involved in household chores and their initiative should be encouraged. It is better to give simple, step-by-step tasks. You can even draw a plan, a diagram, a step-by-step algorithm of actions. These tasks will help your child organize his personal space and time.
Don't overload with information. While reading books, doing homework you need to give small loads - 15 minutes each. Then take a break from physical activity, then start again with a static activity that requires concentration. Overwork has a detrimental effect on children with ADHD.
Learn a new type of activity. It is difficult to interest hyperactive children in anything for a long time; they switch their attention too quickly. However, you need to look for different types of activities (music, singing, drawing, reading, modeling, dancing) in which the child will reveal himself to the maximum. You need to find something that will invisibly “educate” the ego and require some kind of personal effort and motivation.
Communication aspects. For hyperactive fidgets, everything is forgiven at home, but they often find themselves in conflict situation with teachers and are rejected by peers. It is important to discuss with children their life outside the home, difficult situations, and the causes of conflicts. This will help them adequately evaluate their actions in the future, control themselves, be aware of their emotions, and learn from their own mistakes.
Success Diary.

Psychologists recommend keeping a notebook or notebook where you can write down (or sketch) all the big victories and small successes. It is important that the child is aware of the results of his own efforts. You can also come up with a reward system. Some parents think that best medicine for hyperactivity in children - vitamin “D”, that is, the belt. This harsh remedy only aggravates the problem and will never eliminate it. the real reason

disobedience. The behavior of children with ADHD often causes the righteous anger of parents, but it is still better to avoid spanking.

Difficulties of social adaptation In kindergartens and schools, children with ADHD are classified as “difficult.” Sometimes conflicts associated with inappropriate hyperactive behavior become so aggravated that it is necessary to transfer the child to another kindergarten or school. It is important to understand that the system public education will not adapt to individual characteristics child. Search suitable garden

or a school can take a long time, but still not be found. In this situation, it is important to teach the child to show flexibility, patience, friendliness - all those qualities that are so important for communication and normal social adaptation.
hyperactive students should be in the teacher’s field of vision;
it is better for them to sit at the first or second desk;
do not focus on the behavioral characteristics of such children;
often praise, encourage, but do not overestimate;
give small tasks in which the child will move: bring a magazine, distribute notebooks, water flowers, wipe the board;

highlight the student’s strengths and give them the opportunity to demonstrate them.
be on the child’s side, but not create an open conflict with the teacher;
find compromise solutions;
listen to the teacher’s opinion, because an objective view from the outside can be valuable for understanding your own child;
do not punish or lecture a child in the presence of a teacher and peers;

help adapt to the children's team (take part in joint events, you can invite children to visit, etc.).

It is important to find not some special school or private kindergarten, but a teacher who will understand the problem and be an ally of parents.

Treatment of a hyperactive child with medications is advisable only for complex forms of ADHD. In most cases, psychocorrection of behavior is carried out. Therapy is much more successful if parents are involved. After all, a child’s hyperactivity is often associated with family relationships and improper upbringing.