Am I Treating My Child Suffering From ADHD Properly?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) refers to a varied set of problematic behaviors that your child exhibits due to poor attention span. A line of thought on this disorder revealed by the media says that actually, there is not such disorder in this world, rather, such problematic behaviors are exhibited because of poor parenting, allowing children to behave and live as they like, and providing them with junk food.

But, as the matter of fact, this is not correct! In short, the relieving truth is ADHD does exist and nobody is at fault or is responsible for this disorder in anyone. The only aspect that the parents have to take care of is how to deal with the ever-increasing demands of such a child. This is because a child with ADHD can put on the weight of fulfilling extra demands.

Such a demanding nature of the child can make you feel besieged due to a feeling of failure in providing full satisfaction to your child. To add to your this pain, you further start comparing your child with your friends and relatives, that they all have normal, well-mannered children; but mine is a twister who fidgets, never heeds anyone, asks too many questions, and talks too much with no proper response in it.

Just because you need to handle such behaviors of your child, proper parenting for such children is a must for which you need help, guidance, and support. So, if you have a strong feeling that you are failing in your parenting, remember this will affect your mind due to tension and behavior towards your child. This will make it more difficult for you to deal with the demands. Your job is more than what the average parents do, but no parents are perfect. So, simply cool down and handle each upcoming, unexpected situation patiently.

Sometimes, you as a parent may think that why I have such a child. At this time, just remember that you are not aware of all the causes for such a child to be there with you. It could be genetically inherited from a close relative, who might never have been diagnosed or naturally at the time of birth.

Beliefs that are Not True

ADHD is not linked with any of the following factors that we might suspect to be.

• Allowing the child to watch TV excessively. In fact, children suffering from ADHD like to watch TV, play fast computer games, and view films. Therefore, you can use these options as rewards for their good behavior whenever exhibited.
• Diet. It is found that a few children, who do not have ADHD, are sensitive to additives. However, if you wish to opt for a special diet, consult a dietitian.
• A working parent. This is certainly not true, as there are many children without ADHD around the world whose parents are working.

Coming to the most important point, it is nothing else but only your parenting style that can help you deal with this disorder. Know that it is quite annoying and hectic to deal with a child who acts immediately before going through any thought process, smashes things, and forgets anything said in 20 seconds. This can make you even hate your child. At this point of time, understand that, “You are dealing with ADHD, not actually with your child!” After all, this is very subtle but a must to digest so that you can prepare yourself for any circumstances for your child’s life.

ADHD – Treat as a Medical Condition

It is generally difficult to identify and comprehend the causes that affect our behavior or mood. Similarly, the causes of ADHD are also not thoroughly grasped. If we consider other problems such as fracture or asthma, their symptoms and effects are clearly visible and understood. So, parents or relatives exhibit sympathy.

But, in the cause of ADHD, the external display of symptoms, i.e., intolerable behaviors make parents and relatives serious rather than being sympathetic. This is because the front person dealing with the child fails to understand the brain chemistry behind these behaviors and assumes simply to be a behavioral problem, rather than an internal disorder. So, ADHD is a medical condition that requires treatment from psychiatrists, pediatricians, or psychologists.

Difficulties that Can Be Encountered while Coping Up with ADHD

As a parent, you will encounter certain difficulties while tackling ADHD. Listed are a few of them.

• Worry regarding the treatment for ADHD
• Social issues
• Lack of time for yourself

Worry Regarding the Treatment for ADHD

Once the diagnosis is done, you might feel some relief as finally, you know what is happening with your child. Later, you might worry about the strong medication being given to your child. Another line of fear can be that the child might always face discrimination and mistreatment from others for the entire life.

Social Issues

If you and the school of the child feel that the help and support to tackle ADHD is not enough, you may need to appeal even though the statementing process is going on. This is because the statementing process itself takes 26 weeks. Such a condition gives rise to the listed below issues.

• What to do you the statement is received? Most schools keep budgets for unique needs, which can help your child temporarily while he/she is in the school. In this case, you need to find out by discussing how and up till what extent will the help be provided and what will be done to handle the child in case the help is not there.
• Will the statement provide sufficient help and support to your child? What if it’s not satisfactory or inadequate?
• How will the teacher/Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) behave with your child to make him/her feel a part of the society?
• Can the medication be taken at the school?
• What can be done to tackle homework-related issues?

What is most important here is to work in close relation with the school. Also, note that you will be a part of many meetings with the SENCO, class teacher, and possibly the head teacher too.

Lack of Time for Yourself

Going to work, attending meetings, and coping with a demanding child make it difficult for you to get time for yourself. It’s completely acceptable that it is difficult to trust someone else with whom you can leave your child. However, if you know some friend or relative who can understand your child up to maximum possible extent and consistently work upon the child’s improvement level, request him/her to spend some time with your child fortnightly. In this way, you can spend some time for yourself.

Sources of Support

Here is the list of some groups that can provide you with support to deal with children having ADHD:

• Health Professionalists
  Include GP and psychologists.
• Education Workers
  Include school SENCO and a worker from the Local Education Authority (LEA).
• Support Group
  Includes a local group for parents to deal with ADHD or a national group such as ADDISS.

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