Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Causes, symptoms, and care tips for children with ADHD

While the exact cause of ADHD is unclear, factors like maturational delay, minimal brain injury, genetics, and neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine have been speculated to play a role (Image: Canva)

There may be days when staying focused and organised seem like an impossible task, those moments when you're feeling down and just want to switch everything off. But for people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), concentration and calm are a daily challenge. It's their reality. ADHD ranks among the most common neurodevelopmental conditions, predominantly affecting school-age children.

What Is ADHD?

A continuous pattern of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are the signs of ADHD. The attention deficit is due to difficulty maintaining focus and staying organised. At the same time, hyperactivity is seen when a child fidgets excessively and talks restlessly. Impulsivity can lead to actions without thinking and a desire for immediate gratification. ADHD isn't a passing phase or a result of a lack of discipline; it's a complex neurodevelopmental condition that demands understanding and support from parents, family members, and friends.

Causes and diagnosis:

ADHD is often diagnosed based on observations from educators and parents and medical assessments. While the exact cause of ADHD is unclear, factors like maturational delay, minimal brain injury, genetics, and neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine have been speculated to play a role.

Symptoms of ADHD:

ADHD can affect various aspects of a child's life, including academics, personal relationships, and daily activities. ADHD exhibits a variety of symptoms, including difficulty in completing tasks that have been started, a tendency to frequently shift from one incomplete activity to the next, challenges in active listening, easy distraction by external stimuli, and a propensity to lose belongings at the drop of a hat. Furthermore, individuals with ADHD often avoid tasks demanding sustained mental effort, such as school homework or completing lengthy forms and papers.

Here's how you can support children with ADHD:

Tackling distractions: It might help to lift television time, reduce noise and maintain a clean working area for when your child completes their homework. Some children may prefer ambient background music in order to study and focus adequately on the given task.

Planning is the key: You can help your child plan things by dividing the work into small chunks and asking them to complete one goal at a time. You can also use organisers or planners if your child responds well to them. If the task at hand is too long, it is best to begin early and work on it bit by bit.

Staying positive around kids: Take time to know their likes and dislikes and what activity they are most fond of, like academics, sports, music or arts. Praise their efforts and encourage them to pursue their interests.

Refraining from strict parenting: Instead of resorting to traditional disciplinary methods like scolding or yelling, engaging in open communication with your child is essential. Try to understand the underlying causes of their behaviour and explain the consequences of their actions. Some parents may choose to use time-outs as a disciplinary approach. Still, a more constructive approach to addressing ADHD-related behaviours is through empathetic dialogue.

Promoting a healthy lifestyle: It is essential to include enough nutrition in their daily diet plan and add adequate physical activity. Sufficient and on-time sleep is also necessary. If they refuse to do it, find creative ways to grab your kid's attention.

Getting professional help: If symptoms worsen or persist, consider seeking guidance from a child psychologist for counselling and specialised support.