ADD

ADD /ADHD 

Please read what I write on Christian parenting later on in article.

 Children who have ADHD have trouble paying attention in school, at home or at work. They may be much more active and/or impulsive than what is usual for their age. ADHD is more common in boys than in girls.

What are the symptoms of ADHD?

The child with ADHD who is inattentive will have some of the following symptoms:

• Has difficulty following instructions
• Has difficulty keeping attention on work or play activities at school and at home
• Loses things needed for activities at school and at home
• Appears not to listen
• Doesn't pay close attention to details
• Seems disorganized
• Has trouble with tasks that require planning ahead
• Forgets things

• Is easily distracted
• Blurts out answers
• Interrupts people
• Talks too much
• Has trouble waiting his or her turn

What should I do if I think my child has ADHD?

The beginning point is your doctor.
Your doctor will probably want to test your child’s vision and hearing if these tests haven't been done recently.

Your doctor may recommend trying medicine to see if it helps control your child's hyperactive behaviour. A trial of medicine alone cannot be the basis for diagnosing ADHD. However, it can be an important part of evaluating your child if ADHD is suspected.

Please remember that whatever medicine is given the ADHD child needs additional vitamins.

What causes ADHD?

Children who have ADHD do not make enough chemicals in key areas in the brain that are responsible for organizing thought. Without enough of these chemicals, the organizing centers of the brain don't work well. This causes the symptoms in children who have ADHD. Research shows that ADHD is more common in children who have close relatives with the disorder. Recent research also links smoking and other substance abuse during pregnancy to ADHD. Exposure to environmental toxins, such as lead, can also be a factor

What medicines are used to treat ADHD?

. Talk with your doctor about what treatments he or she recommends.

What else can I do to help my child?

A team effort, with parents, teachers and doctors working together, is the best way to help your child. Children who have ADHD may be difficult to parent. They may have trouble understanding directions, and their constant state of activity can be challenging for adults. Children who have ADHD also tend to need more structure and clearer expectations. You may need to change your home life a bit to help your child. Here are some things you can do to help:

General remarks on parenting.

Parents can make life much easier for the ADHD child. For the Christian parents I want to say the following:

1.      Do not stop praying for your child.

2.      Do not call him ADHD.

3.      Ensure a loving, caring home environment.

4.      Bring him up without shout and shame.

5.      Do not provoke your child.

6.      Ensure a calm, peaceful atmosphere at the dinner table.

7.      Some parents will tease the ADHD child (the action starts with the parent) and when he is all hyped up he is threatened to be punished. This is not good for the ADHD child. Endeavour to keep your child calm - teasing must be done with great caution. 

8.      SeeADD as an illness that can be treated. The child is not naughty or bad and needs your empathetic treatment.

9.      Believe that your child can be healed.

10.  Rules and boundaries must be clear and understood.

11.  Assist your child to function age related. Give him chores and jobs that will make him feel trusted and in control of his life and needed by you. 

12. Help him to believe in God - to give his heart to the Lord. 

 Teach him to finish tasks started with. Encourage and support him.

• Make a schedule. Set specific times for waking up, eating, playing, doing homework, doing chores, watching TV or playing video games, and going to bed. Post the schedule where your child will always see it. Explain any changes to the routine in advance. This must all happen according to age.
• Make simple house rules. It's important to explain what will happen when the rules are obeyed and when they are broken. Write down the rules and the results of not following them.
• Make sure your directions are understood. Get your child's attention and look directly into his or her eyes. Then tell your child in a clear, calm voice specifically what you want. Keep directions simple and short. Ask your child to repeat the directions back to you. Remind him about the task again and not in a matter of fact way.
• Reward good behaviour. Congratulate your child when he or she completes each step of a task.
• Make sure your child is supervised all the time. Because they are impulsive, children who have ADHD may need more adult supervision than other children their age.
• Assist your child to socialise when he or she is round his or her friends. It's sometimes hard for children who have ADHD to learn social skills. Reward good play behaviours.
• Set a homework routine. Pick a regular place for doing homework, away from distractions such as other people, TV and video games. Break homework time into small parts and have breaks. He should not do his homework in the same room as the other children. Ensure that he has a good comfortable and relaxed place to study.
• Focus on effort, not grades. Reward your child when he or she tries to finish school work, not just for good grades. You can give extra rewards for earning better grades.
• Talk with your child's teachers. Find out how your child is doing at school--in class, at playtime, at lunchtime. Ask for daily or weekly progress notes from the teacher.

Studies have shown that certain food colourings and preservatives may cause or worsen hyperactive behaviour in some children. Talk to your doctor about whether you need to make any changes to your child’s diet.

Will my child outgrow ADHD?

We used to think children would "grow out" of ADHD. We now know that is not true for most children. Symptoms of ADHD often get better as children grow older and learn to adjust. Hyperactivity usually stops in the late teenage years.

I believe that God can heal your child.