Hyperactivity in children: symptoms

Hyperactivity in children can be manifested from infancy. These babies are very sensitive to external stimuli. It can be sounds, light, mother’s behavior. Usually, in such situations, they react with loud discontent, refuse to sleep, or do it with great difficulty. Another symptom and signal for parents is a lag in motor development: all the key stages – holding their head, rolling over, standing, crawling, walking – children with hyperactivity begin to do 1-2 months later. Moreover, in the first years of life, children with such a diagnosis show excessive and chaotic mobility and even clumsiness.

At 2-3 years old, hyperactive children are fussy, restless, emotionally unstable – sometimes they smile, sometimes they cry, and so it can be several times in a short period of time. A striking sign is delayed speech development, sleep problems.

Later, after 4 years, it becomes clear that it is extremely difficult for such a child to adapt to the rules and norms of behavior. He cannot maintain a steady interest in the lesson, is distracted by something else and also does not finish what he started. In a conversation, a hyperactive child does not know how to listen and interrupts the interlocutor. He is impulsive and even aggressive in a team, which causes difficulties with socialization. Such a child is louder than others, tries to shift attention to himself, does not perceive prohibitions, and later learns to write, read and count. With all this, he can be empathetic, kind, receptive to even a little praise and intellectually developed.

In older groups of a kindergarten or school, problems are evident when a child cannot control his attention for a long time and sit in one place, and 40 minutes of classes becomes a real challenge for him. The teacher, trying to encourage such a student to discipline, focuses on his shortcomings in front of the class, exacerbating and aggravating the situation each time. Moreover, such children do not accept comparisons with peers who are calmer and more assiduous than they are.

The phrase “hyperactivity”, which we frequently encounters, hides the disease “attention deficit hyperactivity disorder” – ADHD. The causes of hyperactivity in children can be complications of the ongoing pregnancy (toxicosis, hypoxia – lack of oxygen in the fetus, high blood pressure), lifestyle disorders of the expectant mother (bad habits, hard work, stress), difficult childbirth (prolonged or, conversely, rapid), genetic predisposition …

The sooner parents pay attention to the symptoms, the earlier the treatment and adaptation of the child to society will begin. Diagnosis of the disease takes place in several stages. To begin with, the doctor draws up a complete picture, asking about the course of pregnancy, the diseases of the baby and his parents, makes him a characteristic based on the answers of mom and dad. Further, children of 5 years of age perform psychological tests. And the very last stage is the study of encephalography and magnetic resonance imaging.

How to make life easier for children with such a diagnosis and their parents? First of all, moms and dads with hyperactivity in children need to understand that what is good for calm children does not suit their child at all. It is imperative to learn how to calm your child: try to change the environment for an overexcited son or daughter, give water to drink or even offer a bathroom, go out into the fresh air from a stuffy room, turn on calm music if possible, read your favorite fairy tale and be sure to hug! Tactile contact is very important for children with ADHD.

Try not to use denial prohibitions by explaining their reasons, and try to offer an alternative. After all, children with ADHD are not susceptible to punishment and lecture. Watch your emotions, it is important for them to feel your support and realize that you are, first of all, their friend who will always support and find the right words. The syndrome of hyperactivity is, first of all, the inability to concentrate, and, as a result, undeveloped logical and abstract thinking, communicate with the child clearly and concisely. Do not give instructions in several steps, but break them into separate parts and control each one. For the development of the child’s logic, it is important that all tasks are consistent.

Remember that your child is having trouble timing. Therefore, the regime is especially important for him. Don’t give him long errands. Try to warn him about the change of action a few minutes in advance. Do not forget to praise him for even the smallest achievements. Since daytime sleep is rare for a child with ADHD, rest at night should be at least 8 hours.

Do not try to make your child as successful as an older brother or sister, or an excellent neighbor. He has his own schedule. Don’t tell him that he is bad and that his classmate is good. Tell him that he is a great guy, but that his actions need to be corrected for this and that reason. Do not overwork him with additional tasks, as this will lead to excessive excitability or aggression. Explain to him in a language that is understandable for his age the reasons why you should not watch TV for hours or play horror stories on a tablet, exchanging for other exciting games or activities. Try to involve calm, balanced children in communication with the child, in your case, individual team games are better, in small groups.

When such children enter a kindergarten or school, parallel work with a psychologist is required, who will give advice and “keys” to communicating with the baby, facilitate the teacher’s contact with the child, and help parents find the right course in upbringing. It is worth noting that the behavioral background of such a disease smoothes out by the age of 14-18, and difficulties with attention deficit will accompany a person throughout his life.