Often, parents come to see a psychologist with complaints about the child's inattention, restlessness, increased mobility, inability to control their behavior, poor performance at school, suspecting that they have a diagnosis of ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder). Are these complaints always justified?
According to the medical classifiers of diseases (ICD-10), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurological-behavioral developmental disorder that begins in childhood and manifests itself with symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, hyperactivity, and poorly controlled impulsivity.
Symptoms of inattention:
📍the child does not pay attention to details, makes many mistakes;
📍does not hold attention well when performing school and other tasks;
📍does not listen when spoken to;
📍cannot follow instructions and see things through to the end;
📍unable to independently plan, organize the execution of tasks;
📍avoids tasks that require prolonged mental effort;
📍often loses things;
📍easily distracted;
📍forgetful.
Symptoms of hyperactivity:
📍the child is constantly spinning;
📍cannot sit still when necessary;
📍he is characterized by excessive and aimless motor activity;
📍cannot play quietly, calmly;
📍is constantly in motion;
📍talkative.
Symptoms of impulsivity:
📍the child answers questions without hesitation;
📍cannot wait for his turn;
📍 interferes with other people, interrupts them.
The criteria for making a diagnosis are:
📍duration: symptoms are observed for at least 6 months in such a severity that indicates poor adaptation of the child;
📍early age of onset of manifestations, up to 7 years;
📍 constancy: apply to all spheres of life - a violation of adaptation is observed in two or more areas of the child's activity;
📍severity of violations: significant problems in learning, social contacts, other activities with a normal intellectual level.
Comprehensive rehabilitation of such children is advisable, which consists of:
📍drug therapy;
📍psychological and pedagogical behavioral correction;
📍medical and recreational physical education;
📍breathing exercises;
📍Biofeedback (BFB-therapy, Biofeedback).
Yours, Vadim Kobylchenko
Ukraine