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My child has ADHD. What should I expect?
At present, the cases in which children are diagnosed with ADHD have increased, this by its acronym refers to attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder.
What worries many parents, after receiving the diagnosis, what should I do? Well, here we bring you a practical guide so that you can face this situation in the best possible way.
What is ADHD?
This disorder is characterized by a deficiency in children's attention span in which they cannot perform a task that requires concentration for a long time, as they are distracted by other environmental stimuli.
And impulsive and restless behaviors that refer to the hyperactivity component, this mixture of characteristics makes the care of these children demanding.
How to deal with a child with attention deficit?
Each child and therefore each case of ADHD is unique and needs their specialized recommendations, however we share these strategies that can help you when educating a child with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder:
Teach your child that you love him
It may seem obvious, but many times we are so focused on treatment and day-to-day life that we forget to remind our children that we love them.
They need to know what they are worth to us, it is as important to correct their negative behaviors as it is to reinforce their positive behaviors and their value. Find ways to tell your child that you love, support, and care for him on a regular basis.
Strengthen your self-esteem
It is likely that your child has a different behavior from the rest of the children, and especially in academic areas this shows.
There may be the probability that other children will try to make fun of your child, explain why he has these behaviors and help him accept his diagnosis from the empowerment.
Listen to your son and if he tells you that they annoy him at school, go to the teacher immediately to correct this situation. He chooses activities based on his characteristics that show him that he can do things well.
Express instructions clearly
Be as specific as possible when explaining a procedure to your child, give him examples and if possible show him how to do the activity by doing the activity yourself first.
Avoid some situations in which it has to be I want for many hours or take it to environments in which there are many stimuli at the same time.
Use discipline
Appropriate to his behavior, the idea is that he can understand what he has done wrong and how he can improve it the next time.
You can use time out as a corrective method, they should be brief so that you can comply with them, but at the same time understand and give you time to regulate.
Keep an order
Teach your child to organize both his things and his routines, help him keep abreast of daily activities.
Section out spaces within the home and in his own room to help him maintain more structure during activities and focus more attention.
Promotes assertive social interaction
Gently correct and reinforce behaviors that develop social skills with your child's playmates.
It is always important to include physical activities and balanced meals in the daily life of our children, also make sure that they rest appropriately and have moments of play and distraction.
Which professional should I go to?
At first, if you suspect that your child might have ADHD, you can go to a psychologist who will probably recommend other medical studies to download diagnoses.
In case your child needs medication, they should consult the psychiatrist.
This may seem overwhelming, but your child needs a multidisciplinary team to evaluate the development and evolution of their case, this only means that your child will have even more help.
What comforts should I give my child at an educational level?
Communicate with their teachers. Ask about the learning program and your concerns to be able to adapt the teaching to the characteristics of your child, so he can receive the same content as his peers but being considerate of his individuality.
You can also make a plan with a tutor that adapts to the characteristics of your child to reinforce the knowledge taught in class.
Stay calm and work together with your child on relaxation methods that bring you together as a family and help you understand a little more about how your child is feeling.