Learning disabilities are rife with stigma. Children who have them have always been shunned, abused and misrepresented in society.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, for instance, is one of the most common learning disability among children.
Despite this, many still go undiagnosed and untreated.
Children with ADHD are often portrayed as naughty, wild and unintelligent; a lost cause.
But with new discoveries in the field of neurobiology and psychology, we now know that it’s not just a child being naughty.
Many Malaysians are still unclear as to what ADHD is, so let’s unpack the basics.
What is ADHD
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically affects children. The condition presents itself as inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Children with ADHD usually have trouble paying attention and sitting still.
They often rush their tasks, make mistakes often and have poor organization skills.
Much like other learning disorders, ADHD presents itself in a spectrum.
Some experience severe symptoms, while others may only experience mild ones. This is usually why these disorders are hard to detect.
While the condition usually disappears around adolescence, many reports suggest that ADHD can persist well into adulthood.
If you fear your child may have ADHD, it’s important to go for a screening as soon as possible. Early detection is crucial when it comes to neurodivergent children.
Thankfully, we have made great strides in treating ADHD in children to give them a successful, fulfilling life.
These treatments include behavioural therapy, hormonal therapy, nutritional therapy and many others.
However, these treatments can often be expensive, which may be why many ADHD children are left untreated.
But fret not. Various experts agree that ADHD can be treated at home with great success, especially for the milder cases.
If your child is suffering from this disorder, try managing their condition at home first before signing up for an expensive programme. Here are 8 tips on how to handle children with ADHD at home.
7 Tips for Children with ADHD
Establish a Routine
Individuals with ADHD often suffer from “analysis paralysis”, which is a buzzword that simply means difficulty making decisions.
Helping them organize their time can help relieve some of the anxiety and disorientation that comes with the condition.
A good way to do this is by putting a calendar or timetable in their room, with colour-coded stickers for different activities.
Blue for school, red for homework, yellow for meals and purple for TV time, etc.
Having the decisions made for them can often be a much-needed relief for ADHD sufferers, who frequently have trouble managing their time.
It’s important as well to supervise them during certain activities like homework. ADHD children are easily distracted.
Therefore, you need to know how to capture and hold their interest when you’re helping them with their school assignments.
Maintain a Regular Sleeping Schedule
Sleep deprivation can often aggravate ADHD symptoms. If a healthy, normal adult can suffer from attention problems from sleep loss, imagine a child with ADHD.
Sleep loss can also cause mood swings, irritability and brain fog. All the side effects that you don’t want your ADHD child to experience.
Therefore, to help them maintain good, productive sleep, be sure to maintain a regular sleep schedule.
Get them to wake up and go to sleep at roughly the same time every day, even on the weekends.
Another thing to watch out for is sleep hygiene. This simply means eliminating any factor that may hinder good, productive sleep.
This may include keeping out bright light, maintaining a cool temperature and avoiding heavy meals 2 hours before bedtime.
Differentiate Between Symptoms and Misbehaviour
Children misbehave all the time, even those with ADHD. It’s important to distinguish between the two if you want to help them cope with their condition.
Penalising an ADHD episode can harm their progress. ADHD and simple misbehaviour can be hard to tell apart.
But one obvious difference is that ADHD symptoms can happen anywhere, not just at home. Children with ADHD cannot control their symptoms and may often have frequent episodes regardless of where they are.
Bad behaviours are also usually pre-meditated and require swift and effective discipline. ADHD symptoms are usually involuntary.
Tune Out Distractions
External stimuli are the Achilles’ heel of every child suffering from ADHD. This can be anything from a loud and persistent noise, to a bright and colourful object.
Anything within their earshot or line of sight can trigger an episode. This can be problematic especially when they’re supposed to be doing homework.
It may also explain why your child may be having trouble at school. I doubt public school teachers are going out of their way to sterilize the environment for one ADHD child.
This is why sometimes it’s better to enrol your child in a special school where their needs can be taken care of.
It also takes some of the load off your own shoulders, especially if you’re a working parent. However, when they’re at home you have more control over their environment and can take the necessary steps to reduce distractions.
Start by turning off all digital devices such as the television and any smart device like phones and computers.
Then survey your house for any distracting stimuli that may interrupt your child during their activity.
Manage their Diet
Some experts believe that certain foods can trigger episodes in children with ADHD.
While evidence is still lacking for this, many parents found that tweaking their child’s diet has significantly improved their symptoms.
There are many ADHD diets out there, but most prioritize cutting out processed foods, chemical additives, artificial colourings, sugar, and allergens.
The bulk of ADHD diets includes proteins, complex carbohydrates, and micronutrients (specifically iron, magnesium, zinc, vitamin B-6, and vitamin D).
You can also choose to supplement their meals with superfoods.
Exercise
There is nothing bad you can say about exercise, unless you overdo it.
For children with ADHD, studies show that a light 20-minute exercise every day can greatly reduce symptoms and episodes.
Moreover, regular exercise can also assist in sleep, especially when performed outdoors early in the morning.
Natural sunlight can help your child acclimate to the biological cycles of wakefulness and rest.
Which means more sleep and better cognitive and physical performance the next day.
Children typically get their exercise when they play games, like tag, or racing, which will usually require another participant.
You can of course take them out for bike rides and some jogging as well.
But a good equipment to get for a child with ADHD is a trampoline. You may not have time to exercise with them all the time.
So getting them something that they can exercise with on their own is a lifesaver. Especially when you have other urgent things to get to.
Exercise also has the added benefit of expending some of the nervous, restless energy that children with ADHD often struggle with.
Try Some Supplements
While most medical professionals will prescribe a drug like Adderall for ADHD, alternative options exist.
Research has revealed some promising information on the management of ADHD symptoms in children and adults using supplements.
One study showed that a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and phosphatidylserine could significantly reduce ADHD symptoms in children and adults.
These supplements are available over the counter or online and are generally safe to consume.
However, do consult with your family physician first before starting a new alternative treatment for your child.
Of course this regime is not a silver bullet, but it may help relieve the more aggressive symptoms.
Help Your Child Manage ADHD
Dealing with a normal child can be challenging in itself, let alone one with a neurobiological disorder.
The thing about children with ADHD is that it’s important not to get frustrated.
You need to understand that your child is probably also experiencing great stress from their condition. People treat them differently and may even be unkind to them.
ADHD sufferers also have trouble forming relationships, so chances are your child may not have many friends, if at all.
So be patient when you’re dealing with their episodes. M
ake your home a safe and comforting environment where they know they are accepted and loved. ADHD may come with its downsides, but it also has its fair share of advantages as well.
If you play your cards right, your child may be well on their way to having a bright and promising future full of endless possibilities.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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