
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
About ADHD
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is one of the most common childhood disorders. It is a neurodevelopmental condition of dysregulated attention. This means that ADHD is not a result of poor parenting or something you did wrong.
Symptoms most often include trouble with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Your child may also be quite sensitive, have mood swings, poor social skills, and demonstrate intense irritability. ADHD, and many other problems, like sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities, can have similar symptoms.
Children with ADHD may:
Avoid tasks (such as homework or things that require prolonged focus/attention and are not of intense interest)
Avoid conversations that are not of interest (may appear bored or distracted when spoken to directly)
Lose interest quickly
Seem to always put things off for later
Be forgetful (may “seem to forget what you just said”)
Lose school materials, pencils, books, etc.
Have a messy bedroom, desk, locker, and folder/binder
Rush through school work
Talk a lot
Interrupt others, butt into conversations or games
Constantly seem fidgety and/or move around a lot
Act without thinking first
Be impatient
Become frustrated/angry easily
Hyperfocus (focus intensely on certain topics or activities such as video games, sports, or technology)
Demonstrate trouble transitioning from a topic/activity of interest
Emotions & ADHD
When most people think of ADHD, they think of hyperactive behavior or difficulties paying attention. What often doesn’t come to mind are intense emotional ups and downs — but this difficult-to-manage symptom is deeply rooted in the brain, and has come to be understood by many experts as one of the hallmarks of ADHD.
Behavior Therapy
If you have spoken to your child’s pediatrician about ADHD, it is likely that they recommended behavior therapy. Behavior therapy can be a highly effective way to encourage your child’s positive behaviors and discourage unwanted or problem behaviors. However, children are not mature enough to change their behaviors on their own. Behavior therapy requires both the child and parents to participate in treatment individually. Learning how to effectively manage your child’s ADHD can be an empowering experience as a parent.
Kids
ADHD can leave children with low self-esteem, troubled relationships, and many other related issues. This is why building a relationship with your child is our number one priority. For your child to make progress, they must feel supported, understood, and comfortable in therapy. The therapy sessions are used to address the emotional needs of your child while simultaneously addressing the skills they need to develop.
Parent (s)
Parents will be taught skills, strategies, and appropriate discipline techniques to manage the child’s behavior.
Make use of suggested activities to practice with the child
Meet with the therapist regularly to monitor the child’s progress and receive support
Maintain scheduled appointments