Many parents are concerned about their child's behavior. You must know the difference between a natural behavior for your child's age and excessive behavior. Children with ADHD show more pronounced behaviors than other children, and are more likely to respond to social situations with aggressive behavior and to not follow the rules, thus hampering the relationship with other children.
These children also tend to have more difficulty in starting a task, failing to keep attention and finishing it, distracting themselves with situations that most people ignore.
They find it more difficult to pay attention to detail and to commit simple mistakes. Their school work may be careless and disorganized (many times they are disorganized people on the day to day life, the room is a mess, they don't see the clothes on the floor, etc.).
However, it is important to realize that a diagnosis of ADHD can not be done before school age. It is only possible to diagnose it when children are confronted with the responsibilities and requirements of the learning environment. However, these behaviors in preschool children may be predictive of a possible diagnosis. Thus, it becomes important to provide a good emotional support, well-defined routines and activities that encourage attention but are also fun.
Here are some tips, that might help you, if your child suffers from ADHD:
Medicate is far from being the only solution. Your child doesn't do it on purpose, often behaviors are a result of their impulsiveness. Create moments of play. Go to the park and play with your child. Subscribe him to a sport he likes and wants to practice, but don't oblige him.
You can also balance this activity with a quieter one, such as yoga.
The sleep cycle is very important. Make sure your child sleeps enough hours to avoid the lack of attention.
A good diet is also very important. Make sure that your child consumes less sugar and more fruits and vegetables. Make sure your child has healthy snacks.
Difficulty making friends: Help your child to be more affable, impose limits on physical contact. Try to have at home just one or two friends at a time. Many people can be difficult to control.
Give your child a reward for a job well done, or finished, perhaps starting with a material reward but evolving to the praise. Eventually these tasks are going to be automatic.
Make sure that your child does one thing at a time. When he's doing many things at once he can't concentrated in any.
When you see that your child is having difficulty in doing something, explain how to do it in a positive way. For example, instead of: "You can not watch TV while doing your homework", try: "First do your homework and then you can go watch TV."
Routine is very important.
Create a daily routine for each activity of your child. Simplify your child's timetable. Having too many extra-curricular activities may mean he can't concentrate on any.
Set a good example. Organize your space. It is possible that your child will do the same.
Last but very important: Take care of yourself. Often parents are put in the background. If you do not take care of yourself, who will? Just being healthy you can help your child overcome their difficulties.
