Folk methods of dealing with hyperactivity in children. Hyperactive child: educate or treat

In our time, hyperactivity is increasingly manifested in children of preschool and school age. What are its signs? How to deal with it? How should parents of a hyperactive child behave? These are all important questions that need to be answered in a timely manner.

Hyperactivity is a mental condition based on a behavioral disorder. It is associated with an excess of normal activity. At the same time, a person is too excitable and in his behavior is guided more by emotions than by common sense.

Hyperactivity in children. What it is

This concept arose in the 60s of the last century, when it was considered pathological condition, which was caused by minor disorders of brain function.

In the 80s, excessive motor activity received the status of an independent disease. It became known as ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Children suffer from this syndrome. preschool age, primary and secondary levels of education, in which there was a violation of the functions of the central nervous system. At the same time, they have a decrease in concentration, poor memory and learning problems.

The brain of a child with ADHD is difficult to perceive and process information, he lacks a clear motivation to study.

Hyperactivity syndrome in children begins to manifest itself at 2-3 years old, when they start attending kindergarten. To a greater extent, behavioral disorder becomes noticeable in elementary school, when the child needs to study, spend a long time at a desk, be focused and attentive.

Symptoms

To make a diagnosis of ADHD, you need to observe the behavior of the child in at least two social groups and confirm its similarity.

It can be difficult to do this at an early age, since babies up to a year old are usually only with their mother and father, that is, in the family. When a child enters a preschool, he enters the second social group. Behavior in it can be similar to home or differ sharply from it.

Watching the child, parents themselves are able to see the warning signs in the child and seek psychological help in time. Experienced psychologists and educators will help determine what such activity is connected with.

The main symptoms of hyperactive behavior are divided into two groups.

Attention Deficit Signs	Hyperactivity and impulsivity
Decreased level of selective attention: lack of ability to stay focused on a subject for a long time, not being able to detect the details of an object	Uncontrolled movements of arms and legs during excitement
Lack of attention span: inability to complete actions lack of assembly	Jumping up from a place, sharp rises and fast running
Addressing the child does not cause him any reaction (he does not seem to hear)	Inability to maintain a static position even for very short periods of time
Disorganized, often jumping from one to another	Conversations in the classroom, spontaneous cries
Lack of desire to perform difficult tasks and exercises that require serious mental effort	Failure to wait for the end of the question, premature attempt to answer
Forgetfulness	Interfering in the affairs and conversations of other people
Being distracted by the slightest noise or movement from the side	Lack of ability to take turns and yield to other children
Frequent loss of things

Different children show each sign of any one group, but both are found.

Thus, the signs that should tell parents that the child needs qualified help from a psychologist, neurologist, psychiatrist are as follows:

• excessively high physical activity;
• impulsiveness;
• sudden mood swings;
• increased excitability;
• persistent attention deficit.

Causes

The main causes of hyperactivity in children include:

• difficult and premature birth;
• birth trauma;
• late pregnancy of the mother;
• various infections, including intrauterine;
• minor injuries received by the child as a result of a fall and blows to the head;
• poisoning with hazardous substances, such as lead;
• poor nutrition;
• antisocial behavior of parents, etc.

According to statistics, boys are more likely to suffer from this syndrome than girls. Male children are much larger in weight, their brains mature later. In this regard, they are more likely to receive various types of injuries both in the womb and during childbirth.

Today, up to 10% of primary school children suffer from ADHD.
A child of 8-10 years old should actively study and behave normally in society. He is subject to demands from teachers and parents in the manifestation of independence, perseverance and concentration.

However, it is difficult for a hyperactive child to meet the claims of adults. Insomnia or restless sleep, nocturnal enuresis, speech disorder, heart attacks may be added to the above indicated symptoms.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of hyperactivity is carried out as a result of complex observations of a whole group of specialists. If they detect the presence of all signs of hyperactivity (see table), then the child may be diagnosed with ADD or ADHD.

1. In this case, drugs of the nootropic type are prescribed, which improve blood circulation, normal blood circulation in the brain area, enhance its functionality and susceptibility to the surrounding reality.
2. The second, main, component of the treatment of this syndrome is the organization of psychological and pedagogical assistance. The use of medications is not always necessary and desirable. A well-established system of training with a hyperactive person can eliminate all existing problems.

To help teachers, parents should maintain the good physical well-being of the child, increase his immunity. In addition, do not neglect sedative folk remedies.

Only comprehensive measures and joint efforts can help a child overcome a difficult mental state that prevents them from studying normally at school. Competent behavior correction can affect the success of a student with ADHD.

How to calm a child

Hyperactive children from fast chaotic movements during the day are very overexcited.

What should parents do to “calm down” their child before bedtime:

• change the situation (move from one room to another, where it is quiet and calm);
• invite the child to look out the window, at the sky or a passing car, people walking along the road;

• drink water or a cup of tea with herbs, eat something sweet;
• lie down (play with a toy) in a warm bath with foam and useful decoctions of medicinal plants;
• make a relaxing massage to a calm melody;
• before going to bed, mom or dad can stay with the child for a while, read a book to him or just talk. This is especially important when a boy or girl is in school.

All this will help the child to tune in to a healthy restful sleep, and in the morning he will get up cheerful, cheerful and tuned in to positive activity.

Do I need to take medication

Medical intervention is possible when all psychological and pedagogical methods and techniques have been tried. How to treat a child and what drugs to use in this case, only a doctor can decide.

In order not to aggravate the situation, it is important to get professional advice and follow the doctor's prescriptions.

Video: School of Dr. Komarovsky

In medical practice, hyperactivity is a complex behavioral disorder that does not require any medical intervention and manifests itself in early preschool age.

The disorder can affect the child's success in school, affect interpersonal relationships, be noticeable by excessive mental and motor activity.

Signs of the disorder in different children can be detected in different ways. In most children, the disorder is associated with spontaneous reactions that the child cannot suppress. Reactions affect the child's mobility, speech and attention. They are considered signs of an unbalanced nervous system, among adults they are called excessive emotionality.

With hyperactivity, the child has difficulty concentrating, cannot sit still, wait in line. He shouts out answers before other children, stretches his hand to be the first to answer the question, shows disorganization, absent-mindedness and forgetfulness.

Due to hyperactivity, the child does not do well at school, is not able to carry out assignments with high quality, he moves a lot, talks a lot, interrupts the conversation of peers and adults.

Signs and symptoms of the disorder typically begin before the age of seven. They can be confused with another disorder - attention deficit disorder, as well as normal child behavior. Therefore, if parents notice one or more signs of a disorder in a child, this does not mean that the child is hyperactive. Conversely, if the signs are present in all situations - at home, at school, during extracurricular activities and on walks - it's time to get to know a psychologist and a doctor better.

Causes of hyperactivity in a child

The underlying causes of hyperactivity can be:

Various infections;

Birth trauma, difficult childbirth, childbirth before or after the term;

Poisoning with heavy metals and hazardous chemicals;

Wrong diet, poor daily routine.

Studies show that hyperactivity is more common in boys. It can be accompanied by sleep disturbance, enuresis, various speech disorders, and heart disorders. The disorder often occurs as part of attention deficit disorder.

The main signs of hyperactivity

You can recognize hyperactivity in a child by the following signs:

1. The child almost always has restless movements of the limbs. He cannot sit on a chair, gets up, turns, fidgets, turns, fiddles with clothes when he should sit quietly.

2. The child shows high motor activity for no reason. He aimlessly runs, jumps, climbs onto chairs, sofas, armchairs, and even in situations where this cannot be done.

3. The child cannot concentrate on the game, quietly and calmly do something. He screams, squeaks, performs sharp unconscious movements.

4. In a conversation, the child is very unrestrained, cannot listen to the end of the question, answers questions out of place, without thinking.

5. The child cannot stand and wait in line in any situation, begins to get nervous and act up.

6. The child interferes with other children, sticks to others, wedged into someone else's game, interferes with his behavior.

7. At night and during the day, the child sleeps very restlessly, rolls over from one side to the other, knocks off the sheet, throws off the blanket and at the same time loves the pose of a ball.

8. The child is unable to recognize other people's needs and desires.

9. The child is prone to emotional turmoil and cannot control emotions - both good and bad. The child may get angry at the wrong time or throw tantrums for absolutely no reason.

10. The child shows interest in many things, but almost always has problems understanding things. For example, he becomes interested in drawing, but leaves the drawing unfinished and switches to playing ball, while completely losing interest in drawing.

11. The child is unable to concentrate, even when he is addressed looking in the face. He hears the speech, but cannot repeat the conversation, or what was said to him.

12. The child often makes mistakes due to inattention.

Symptoms and deviations are clarified by specialists by observing and evaluating the child and his actions.

Attention deficit and hyperactivity in children

If others say that the child is hyperactive, this may mean that he also has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD can only be determined by a doctor based on the opinion of several specialists - a psychologist, a psychotherapist and a pediatrician. The doctor during the examination will also try to find out signs of other disorders and diseases that are similar to ADHD and need different types of treatment.

If the doctor determines that a child has ADHD, he or she offers the parents help in dealing with the problem. Many children are prescribed medication to help control their behavior. At the moment, there are a huge number of medicines that can completely cure this condition. Medicine can help children: focus attention, calm the nervous system, balance behavior, improve memory and attention.

Some medicines the child will take only before school, some - every day as part of the treatment course. Medicines are offered to children in the form of sugary liquids, tablets, capsules and gummies. Only a doctor can prescribe treatment, after consultation with the parents.

Children with ADHD need not only medicine, but also lifestyle changes. In this case, the therapist and psychologist can offer parents an individually designed lifestyle change plan, give advice on what will be useful and what should be avoided.

Children also benefit greatly from relaxation and behavioral therapy. In relaxation therapy, the doctor will teach the child to relax, calm down, make deep breathing exercises, relax various muscle groups. Behavioral therapy can teach children to set goals and achieve them.

If a child is hyperactive (that is, such a diagnosis has been made), not only relatives and a doctor must know about this, but also teachers and the director of the school that the student attends. Then the child will be able to get additional help with their studies, if necessary. The school can offer parents an individual learning plan, a quiet place in the classroom, provide additional time for completing assignments.

In most cases, children with ADHD have a normal, happy childhood, and with the right approach, they completely eliminate the disease.

Positive effects in children with hyperactivity

In addition to problems, attention deficit disorder has positive points. Numerous studies have found that children with ADHD tend to be:

1. Very creative and imaginative. A child who dreams and has dozens of different thoughts in his head can become a great master in the future, solving complex problems and throwing out a fountain of ideas. Children with ADHD can be easily distracted, but unlike others, they see things that others do not.

2. Very flexible and quirky. The child can simultaneously consider several options for solving a problem and is open to various ideas.

3. Enthusiasts. Children with ADHD are rarely bored. They are interested in a huge number of things and bright personalities. They attract people around them, have a huge number of friends.

4. Very energetic and unpredictable. When children are motivated by an idea, they work and complete tasks much faster than normal children. It can be difficult to distract them from a task if they are interested in it and if it is associated with an active lifestyle.

It is worth noting that ADHD has nothing to do with intelligence and talent. Many hyperactive children are highly intelligent and artistically gifted.

Psychologists around the world believe that if children show signs of hyperactivity due to a behavioral disorder, they should be eliminated, the sooner the better. This will avoid disappointments and difficulties that can arise from low self-esteem, as well as friction and stress accumulating in family and others.

If a child has symptoms of hyperactivity that are similar to ADHD, do not neglect the help of a qualified doctor and psychologist. You can eliminate hyperactivity in time by applying simple public measures.

Today, there are a lot of options for eliminating the disease. As therapeutic measures, a change in diet, a set of physical exercises, a change in the home environment, visits to children's circles, and any other distractions that will minimize the problem can be prescribed.

hyperactive child requires a lot of strength and attention from adults. The child must always be listened to, helped him complete the tasks he has begun, taught to be diligent. Hyperactive children need effective parenting strategies that develop structure, consistency and clear interaction with the outside world. They need rewards and encouragement, lots of parental love, support and approval.

Psychologists advise:

1. Clearly organize the child's daily routine and do not change it for a long time. In this situation, the child will be able to acquire the necessary reflexes, for example, to go to bed after reading a fairy tale.

2. Create a calm, predictable environment for the child, without any irritants. This will minimize the occurrence of energy release.

3. Organize an active physical regime for the child with visits to sports sections and classes.

4. Do not limit the child in performing active actions when the situation allows it. This will allow you to spend excess energy.

5. A hyperactive child should not be punished, forced to sit still for a long time or perform any tedious work.

Experience shows that eliminating the problems of hyperactivity in children is doable. The child should be allowed to expend excess energy outside the walls. educational institutions to awaken interest in learning and creativity.

Or just active. Only a specialist in certain symptoms will be able to determine the condition of your baby. Some say that hyperactivity is a disease, others believe that this is the nature of the child. Where is the truth anyway? What is hyperactivity? What is your baby? What to do with the activity of the crumbs in this case? You will learn about this and much more now.

What is childhood hyperactivity?

Children cannot be similar to each other: one is active, the other is calm - they are all individual. Many mothers argue: they say, if their baby is too mobile, then he is hyperactive. However, this is not quite true. Hyperactivity is overexcited that is accompanied by too much activity.

This condition is characteristic of him always, even at night. He cannot sit in one place, walk slowly - too. Everything is done very quickly and not always deliberately. At the same time, you never know what to expect from a hyperactive person in the next minute. He makes all decisions spontaneously. It is believed that such a child is not given enough attention. So he comes up with new pranks. Hyperactivity is She begins to express itself vividly at the age of two years, and to school age momentum is gaining, and then the baby becomes uncontrollable: it ceases to fully comply with discipline, shows its aggression, is rude to adults. There is no authority for such children. About 150 years ago, doctors tried to understand and solve the problem of hyperactivity. To date, some issues have been resolved, but not all. There are many books and advice about this.

What is the difference between children's activity and hyperactivity?

Active children are very smart, they are fidgets who constantly want to know everything. They know the world thanks to their restlessness. But at the same time, they listen to adults, they can be carried away for some time with an interesting activity. For example, modeling, applique or folding puzzles. It all depends on the interests of the child. Excessive emotions are rarely shown in them. If nothing bothers active children, they are not hungry and not sick, then only their laughter is heard. Mobility often manifests itself only at home - at a party or for a walk, the baby behaves differently, more modestly and quieter. An active child does not conflict with children, but if he is offended, he will give back without hesitation. He himself does not provoke scandals. Physical activity accompanied by cheerfulness, enthusiasm, vigor, obedience. During the day, the child gets very tired, so he sleeps very well at night.

Hyperactive children can also be captivated, but not more than 10 minutes. They do not have a calm state. The kid demonstrates his behavior absolutely everywhere, does not know what shyness is. He speaks quickly, jumping from topic to topic. Asks a lot of questions. Without waiting for an answer, he asks further. It is noticeable in the speech that he does not finish the endings, he wants to say something so quickly. Sleeps in constant anxiety, spins, falls out of bed, possible Emotions and behavior are uncontrollable and uncontrollable. Physical activity quickly develops into aggressiveness. In a company, hyperactive children quite often conflict with everyone.

Hyperactivity in children: symptoms

Is your child unable to sit still in one place? No need to immediately run to the doctors and think that he has childhood hyperactivity. First, pay attention to the features of your baby's activity:

• restlessness and impulsivity;
• inattention;
• aggression, nervousness and endless tantrums;
• problems in communicating with peers and adults;
• resistance to learning;
• clumsiness, inability to bring things to an end;
• indiscipline.

All of the above signs characterize hyperactivity. The symptoms you found should alert you. It may be worth taking some measures to improve the behavior of your child. After all, aggression is shown too often and pronouncedly.

Any parent will get tired of fighting this kind of behavior. These kids quickly lose contact with friends, as a result, no one wants to be friends with them, and even adults try to avoid communicating with such personalities. If they have received a task, they will never be able to complete it completely, as they are too overexcited, inattentive and may forget about the serious work entrusted to them. Pay attention to hyperactivity in children. Their symptoms may vary. After all, as already mentioned, each child is individual.

Nutrition for hyperactive children

Everyone knows that the nutrition of each child should be complete and balanced, and most importantly - useful. If parents allow ordinary children to eat chocolate or candy, then such a product should be excluded from the diet of hyperactive children. At the end of winter - beginning of spring, it is necessary to give a complex of vitamins to improve memory and brain activity. As soon as the first vegetables and fruits begin to appear on the gardens and on the trees, be sure to include them in the daily menu. And in general, they should always be present on your table.

Fish once a week, and preferably two, should be present in your baby's diet. The same applies to all products where there is magnesium, iron, calcium, etc. But the child should not even see pastries, cakes, sausages, purchased dumplings. They are harmful not only to health in general, but also to the behavior of the child. This has been proven by doctors for a long time. In addition, it must be remembered that children with hyperactivity need to be given food only on time. Many do not believe that the behavior of the baby depends on the diet, but science has proven that this is so.

Why hyperactivity appeared

Where did this behavior come from? Maybe inherited? Many parents think so. However, the causes of hyperactivity must be sought elsewhere. Think about how your pregnancy went. Perhaps the mother was a lot of nervous, sick or taking drugs that later affected the baby. It even happens that a woman led an overly active lifestyle, thanks to which the baby began to get used to it even in the womb. Difficult labor can also cause hyperactivity in the baby. In addition, quite often the cause may be a lack of attention from others. Perhaps the relatives of the child do not communicate enough with him or play. Then the children try to attract the attention of adults with their terrible behavior.

Factors that provoke hyperactivity

Parents are happy if their child is cheerful, cheerful and active. However, when the baby wakes up aggression and incomprehensible behavior, adults do not understand what provoked this situation. First of all, pay attention to your own attitude towards your baby. Perhaps you are not being kind enough to him. This behavior is possible if the child often eats food that contains pesticides. It has a very harmful effect on the baby. Carbonated water is also on the list of prohibited foods.

Therefore, try to avoid eating junk food. Relationships in the family, inattention to the child - all this affects the state of the baby's nervous system, remember this.

What do the doctor's say

The opinions of experts are divided. Some are sure that hyperactivity in preschool children is a normal phenomenon, others say it is a serious disease. The pediatrician refers the patient to a neurologist and a psychiatrist. European scientists believe that there is no such disease as hyperactivity. It’s just that the child is very smart and restless, and over time he will definitely outgrow it. Hyperactivity is a myth, not a disease. It was invented in the early 80s to justify the increased activity of the little ones. In addition, it turns out that the age of the children also matters. The study showed that schoolchildren's behavior changes by the second or third grade. They become more calm and balanced. If the child is too nervous and inattentive, perhaps he has a mental disorder. However, according to European doctors, it is not necessary to stuff children with psychotropic and other drugs. The consequences may be undesirable. In the future, the child will no longer be able to feel normal without medication. This further affects his psyche. It is better to achieve the normal behavior of the fidget with affectionate words and conversations. You must always remember: all the achievements or problems of the child are the fault of the adults themselves and the environment.

Games with hyperactive children

Any child needs to be able to lure. Games for preschool children are offered to a greater extent active. So the kids will use their energy for good. To develop attention and obedience, you can play the game: "Do it the other way around." Adult lowered right hand- the kid raised his left. The adult closed one eye, and the baby closed the other, etc. Play the Edible - Inedible game with the child. Only the theme needs to be changed very often so that the baby does not get bored. For example, you voice the names of furniture - the child catches the ball, say another word that is not related to the subject - beats. Working with children increased activity held regularly. So they will feel that they are given enough attention, and will behave energetically, but without unnecessary, unnecessary emotions. Play noisy and emotional games with your kids from time to time.

Thanks to them, the kids develop dexterity, thinking. Mobile children love the game "Silence - chant". An adult prepares 3 circles in advance, the colors of which correspond to the traffic light. Show the baby red, at this time let him run, scream, knock, etc. (2 minutes). Show the yellow circle - the child should talk and do everything very quietly. Green color means to shut up and do nothing at all for 2 minutes. With each "session" time increases. The next mobile, but quiet game will captivate children for a while. This "The Sea Worries Once" is a fun that has been known since ancient times. It forms obedience and fantasy in fidgets. Available for all ages Interesting games. Parents and caregivers who are interested in reducing the child's hyperactivity should learn to make noise, scream, run and jump with him. You'll see how the baby will change.

With hyperactivity, work with children is carried out regularly. They need to feel constant attention from others around them. Organize your child a clear daily routine. Try to get him to eat and go to bed at the same time. Be sure to listen to the opinion of the child, do not ignore him, even if it seems to you that he is saying absurd things. If you think that the baby is wrong, prove your point of view, but not harshly. The child will believe reliable facts, find and give examples. Try to formulate your request clearly, without shouting, in a friendly tone. When the child began to be naughty or hysterical, try not to punish or beat him, but to distract him with a game.

Even a banal kiss will calm the raging baby. If no requests and persuasion work, leave him alone - you'll see, when he realizes that there is no one to throw tantrums, he will calm down. It is undesirable for a child to often say the word “no”. It is necessary to formulate the ban in such a way that it looks like a request. If you forbid him to put an object in the socket, try to explain why it is dangerous. A punishment incomprehensible to a child will provoke a terrible hysteria and scandal. It is also not necessary to order, it is better to just calmly ask. If the child does not want to apologize, it is not necessary to force him, since once again the nerves of each family member will be damaged.

As mentioned above, games for preschool children should be a compulsory activity, and they should play both with other children and with adults. Hyperactive children should not be given several tasks at the same time: after completing the first one, such a child will still forget what to do next. It is better to ask to complete a particular task in stages. Do not give a sedative to the baby - it negatively affects his general condition. It is better to provide regular good nutrition instead of medicines, and do not forget about vitamins - there should be a lot of them. Firmness in education should be present, but only without negative emotions. Achieve from the baby the ability to bring things to the end, not stopping halfway. Every child has different symptoms of hyperactivity. Affectionate and kind attitude will change his behavior.

Conclusion

In the case of hyperactive children, remember that you need to use specific parenting and play techniques if you want to achieve the desired result. Parents and teachers should work together with these kids. A kindergarten teacher or psychologist should explain to parents that the family can only have a quiet and calm environment so as not to provoke tantrums of the crumbs. From the very birth of a child, you need to gently demand accuracy and obedience. He must be able to respect others, communicate with them in the proper tone: not be rude or rude. Hyperactive kids are not very different from active tomboys. A little perseverance - and you can communicate with them quite normally. Just every little man wants constant attention. The sooner teachers and parents begin to work on the child's hyperactivity, the more effective the result will be.

Childhood hyperactivity: a diagnosis or an individual feature of the child?

Hyperactivity is called excessive activity of the child, his restlessness, rebelliousness, inattention, constant nervous excitement. Hyperactivity is a sign of imbalance in the child's nervous system. In medicine, ADHD (stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is defined as a developmental disorder of a neurological and behavioral nature, in which children's hyperactivity is quite pronounced, and often it is associated with such a phenomenon as attention deficit. ADHD develops in young children. The syndrome is accompanied by excessive impulsivity and activity, poor concentration of attention, inability to control one's emotions and actions. As a rule, only a medical professional can confirm the diagnosis of hyperactivity: teachers and psychologists do not have the right to confirm or refute this diagnosis.

Hyperactivity and its causes

ADHD occurs in unborn children. However, in some this syndrome does not progress, while in others it is expressed especially clearly. Why? This happens for the following reasons:

1. hereditary predisposition.
2. The consequence of severe pregnancy and childbirth (severe toxicosis, the threat of abortion, fetal hypoxia, prematurity, pathology of the childbirth itself, injury during childbirth).
3. Infections and toxicity (for example, heavy metals) of a child at an early age, malnutrition.
4. Unfavorable situation in the family: stress due to frequent scandals and conflicts, strict and improper upbringing, alcoholism and drug addiction of parents, unfavorable living conditions.
5. Neurological pathologies in a child.

In fact, one of the above reasons cannot provoke the development of ADHD. As a rule, hyperactivity is a consequence of the complex effect of various provoking factors.

What are the signs of a hyperactive child?

There are signs by which it is easy to determine whether a child is hyperactive or not. Among these signs:

• excessive activity and restlessness: a child with ADHD is in constant motion, he is spinning, fiddling with something in his hands, tapping his fingers, stamping his feet, etc.;
• increased distractibility: hyperactive child everything distracts from the main activity, for example, starting from a flying fly in the room, and ending with an interesting, in his opinion, drawing in a book;
• impulsiveness;
• forgetfulness;
• lack of control over their own actions;
• tearfulness, moodiness and restlessness;
• distraction;
• negativism towards others and aggressiveness;
• impaired concentration;
• increased excitability;
• bad sleep;
• elevated muscle tone.

Having found at least 6 signs from the listed list in a child under the age of 7, an adult can assume that the baby is hyperactive. However, this can only be an assumption: only a physician can make a diagnosis.

Varieties of pathology and its possible consequences

Hyperactivity according to dominant features is divided into the following types:

1. Attention deficit disorder, in which there is no hyperactivity. More commonly seen in girls. With a lack of attention, babies become isolated in own world, become too dreamy, have a wild imagination.
2. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This pathology is rare. As a rule, it is caused by disturbances in the work of the central nervous system and individual features baby.
3. Actually, ADHD is the most common form of pathology in which a child is diagnosed with both attention disorder and hyperactivity.

It is naive to believe that ADHD does not need to be treated. This pathology does not go away by itself, on the contrary, its consequences can worsen over time. So, the consequences of ADHD can be:

• poor school performance;
• low self-esteem;
• difficulties in building relationships with others;
• beatings and fights;
• bullying of peers;
• alcoholism and drug addiction;
• suicide attempts.

Surprisingly, hyperactive children are very capable, they have an excellent level of development. However, due to the lack of concentration of attention, it is difficult for them to cope with their studies.

How to diagnose hyperactivity in a child?

Diagnosis should be handled by specialists such as a neurologist, psychiatrist and psychologist. The diagnosis is not made after the first examination - the baby is observed for six months, using:

• conversation methods;
• neuropsychological testing;
• observation of behavior;
• diagnostic questionnaires.

If necessary, to clarify the diagnosis, the child is sent for examination to a speech therapist, endocrinologist, ophthalmologist, otolaryngologist and epileptologist, since a neurological or somatic disorder may be hidden under the hyperactivity syndrome. To confirm the diagnosis, it is imperative to conduct an MRI of the brain, general and biochemical blood tests, echocardiography and EEG. Based on the results of these studies, a diagnosis is made.

Features of the treatment of ADHD in children

1. Metabolic, aka medical. The drugs in each case are selected individually, according to the symptoms of the pathology.
2. Neuropsychological: consists in the psychomotor correction of the ontogenetic blocks of the brain organization of the child's activity.
3. Syndromic: consists in the use of special games that have a beneficial effect on the development of individual elements of the syndrome. For younger preschoolers, educational games are often the most effective way to combat ADHD.
4. Behavioral: complex various kinds psychotherapy, which allows you to form the desired behavior patterns.
5. Personal: use different tricks individual and group psychotherapy, which help to resolve external and internal psychogenic conflicts, have a beneficial effect on personal growth and relationships with others.

The treatment of ADHD should be approached very responsibly. Initially, preference should be given to non-drug methods of therapy. But if they turned out to be ineffective, provided that all the recommendations of the specialist were carried out unquestioningly, you should not refuse medical treatment.

Games for hyperactive children

The psychology of hyperactive children is significantly different from that of other kids: they need to be given more attention, as they are easily distracted and miss important points during lessons. Therefore, individual games for hyperactive children are a great opportunity to develop those skills that are difficult for them. It is better to start with games aimed at the development of one function. For example, it can be an exercise only for the development of attention or exclusively for the cultivation of perseverance. When a child has mastered one function well, the game can include tasks for the development of two functions at once - the one that is already familiar, and the one that still needs to be brought up. When the child learns to control his actions, you can begin to involve him in collective games.

1. The game "Where what was." Goal: development of concentration. Game progress: you need to arrange several toys in front of the child, ask the baby to look at them for a while and remember them, after which the child should turn away. The adult removes one of the toys and asks the child to turn back. The task of the baby is to say which toy disappeared and where it was. Gradually, the number of toys can be increased.
2. The game "Centipedes". Purpose: development of discipline. Game progress: the child's fingers lie on the edge of the table. At the command of an adult, the “centipedes” (fingers of a child) must move in the indicated direction, changing it in time at the signal of an adult. It is important that all 5 fingers of each hand take part in the game.
3. Hand talking game. Purpose: to learn to control their actions. Suitable for especially aggressive children, those who often break toys. Game progress: invite the child to circle the silhouette of their pens on a piece of paper with a pencil, cut them out and animate them by drawing eyes, noses and mouths with colored felt-tip pens. Then start a conversation with the revived hands: ask who they are and what their names are, what they like to do and what they don’t like, whether they are obedient or not. If the child does not want to be included in the conversation, say the dialogue yourself. The main thing is to emphasize that the pens are good, that they can do a lot (you can list what exactly), but sometimes they are naughty. Finishing the game, conclude an agreement with the pens and their owner, in which the pens will promise that during the day they will do only good deeds - clean, repair, greet, play, will not offend anyone and will not break anything. For hyperactive children, it is better to take a shorter contract time, gradually increasing it if the baby agrees to such conditions. Each time with the palms you need to conclude a new contract.
4. Game "Pass the ball". Purpose: to remove excessive physical activity. Game progress: standing in a circle or sitting on chairs, the children must pass the ball to each other as quickly as possible so as not to drop it. You can complicate the task by launching several balls into the circle.
5. Game "Changeers". Goal: development of communication skills. Chairs should be placed in a circle. Then the participants in the game choose the driver, who removes his chair beyond the circle line. Thus, there are one fewer chairs in the circle than the participants. The driver says: “Those who have ... change places (dark hair, white tights, there are dolls, etc.). After that, children with the named sign should change places, and the driver at this time should take someone's chair. The one who did not have time to take his place becomes the driver.

What methods to use in working with a hyperactive child?

Thanks to the use of these techniques, a hyperactive child becomes calmer, more balanced, more attentive. When working with children with ADHD, experts recommend using:

• medical nutrition;
• physical therapy and breathing exercises;
• autogenic training;
• play therapy;
• family psychotherapy;
• dance, music and drama therapy;
• art therapy and isotherapy;
• photo-, biblio- and fairy tale therapy.

1. Praise the child for all his achievements, be attentive to him.
2. Come up with a daily task for the crumbs, which he must complete himself.
3. Strictly follow the prescriptions of specialists (for example, massage, gymnastics, or taking medications that were prescribed for the treatment of ADHD).
4. Tell the teacher about the problem of the child, ask that your child be treated more carefully.
5. Always remain calm, do not raise your voice at the child, do not scold him. Be in solidarity with the opinion of the second parent.
6. Don't overestimate, but don't underestimate either.
7. Introduce your baby to outdoor games and sports.
8. Set clear boundaries between what is allowed and what is not. All your requirements must be met by all members of the family.
9. Give your child maximum attention.
10. When walking with a child, avoid too crowded places - this can cause overexcitation of the baby.
11. Follow a strict daily routine with the whole family. Put your baby to bed and wake up at exactly the same time.
12. Don't let yourself watch TV for a long time. Do not overexcite his nervous system.
13. Let your child understand how dear he is to you. Hug and kiss your baby more often.
14. Let your child make choices.
15. Having noticed the child's ability for any activity, contribute to their development.

Hyperactive children need special education. And if the parent does everything right, by adolescence there will be no trace of this syndrome, and the child will grow up to be a smart, successful, intellectually developed and happy person. Of course, adults will need a lot of effort and patience. But the happy future of your own child is worth the effort.

How, by whom, and on the basis of what symptoms and what test results, is the diagnosis of ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) diagnosed? How to distinguish a simply active and restless child from a hyperactive one? How to understand in which case the physiology is to blame for the bad and uncontrollable behavior of the child - almost imperceptible changes in the work of the brain, and in which - the shortcomings of our upbringing and the wrong attitude towards our own child? How to understand - he is going crazy because he cannot control himself, or because he desperately lacks our love and in his antisocial behavior he sees the only way to appeal to us: mom! dad! I feel bad, I'm lonely, help me, love me!..

G.N. Monina, in her book on working with children with attention deficits, defines ADHD as “a complex of deviations in a child’s development: inattention, distractibility, impulsiveness in social behavior and intellectual activity, increased activity with a normal level of intellectual development. The first signs of hyperactivity can be observed before the age of 7 years. The causes of hyperactivity may be organic lesions of the central nervous system (neuroinfections, intoxications, traumatic brain injuries), genetic factors leading to dysfunction of the neurotransmitter systems of the brain and disorders in the regulation of active attention and inhibitory control.

Such characteristics as inattention, distractibility, impulsiveness are inherent in any child, especially when it comes to the only and slightly spoiled child by mothers and grandmothers. But the main difference between a hyperactive child and an ordinary child who is bored or uncomfortable or just in such a mood today is that a hyperactive child is always, everywhere and in any environment: at home, at school, and with friends. It simply cannot be otherwise. This is not his fault - such is the constitution of his psyche. He is not able to own and manage either his emotions, or how to control his body (observations indicate that three-quarters of these children suffer from dyspraxia, simply put, clumsiness). He cannot be blamed for this. The use of harsh educational measures will only exacerbate the feelings of inferiority, imbalance and short temper that are already inherent in children with ADHD.

Despite the fact that the first symptoms of ADHD can appear already from the very birth of a child (increased muscle tone, poor sleep, constant regurgitation a large number food), problems with such a child begin, as a rule, in kindergarten and become most visible in elementary school. This is due to the fact that, getting into the children's team, the child is forced to obey general rules, to behave quietly, to control your emotions, to concentrate your attention on training sessions that are far from always interesting. Plus, the stress associated with changing the usual environment and the need to contact a large number of people is added to this, which a child suffering from ADHD is simply not capable of.

And if the kindergarten still assumes some more freedom in the choice of activity, then the elementary school strictly regulates both the duration and intensity, and the choice of activities. Learning activities present a great challenge for children whose ability to concentrate and control their behavior is impaired.

Disorders that suggest that a child has hyperactivity are divided into three groups: attention deficit, motor disinhibition and impulsivity.

American psychologists P. Baker and M. Alvord offer the following scheme for monitoring a child in order to identify possible signs of hyperactivity.

Active Attention Deficit

1. Inconsistent, it is difficult for him to hold attention for a long time.

2. Doesn't listen when spoken to.

3. Takes on a task with great enthusiasm, but never finishes it.

4. Has difficulty organizing.

5. Often loses things.

6. Avoids boring and mentally demanding tasks.

7. Often forgetful.

Motor disinhibition

1. Constantly fidgeting.

2. Shows signs of restlessness (drumming with fingers, moving in chair, running, climbing).

3. Sleeps much less than other children, even in infancy.

4. Very talkative.

Impulsiveness

1. Begins to answer without listening to the question.

2. Unable to wait for his turn, often interferes, interrupts.

3. Poor concentration.

4. Cannot wait for reward (if there is a pause between action and reward).

5. Cannot control and regulate their actions. Behavior is poorly controlled by rules.

6. When performing tasks, behaves differently and shows very different results. (In some classes the child is calm, in others he is not, in some lessons he is successful, in others he is not.)

According to P. Baker and M. Alvord, if at least six of the listed signs appear constantly (for more than six months) at the age of up to 7 years, the teacher can assume that the child he is observing is hyperactive.

In Russia, psychologists traditionally identify the following signs that are symptoms of ADHD in a child:

1. Restless movements in the hands and feet. Sitting on a chair, writhing, wriggling.

2. Cannot sit still when asked to do so.

3. Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.

5. Often answers questions without thinking, without listening to them to the end.

6. When performing the proposed tasks, he experiences difficulties (not related to negative behavior or lack of understanding).

7. Difficulty maintaining attention when performing tasks or during games.

8. Often moves from one incomplete action to another.

9. Cannot play quietly, calmly.

10. Chatty.

11. Often interferes with others, sticks to others (for example, interferes with the games of other children).

12. It often seems that the child does not listen to the speech addressed to him.

13. Often loses things needed in kindergarten, school, at home, on the street.

14. Sometimes performs dangerous actions without thinking about the consequences, but does not specifically look for adventures or thrills (for example, runs out into the street without looking around).

All these signs are combined into the same three groups:

• excessive physical activity;
• impulsiveness;
• distractibility - inattention.

Only the figure of the necessary presence of signs differs somewhat. Russian experts consider the diagnosis legitimate if the child has at least eight symptoms from the above list for six months.

The presence of these signs in a child is not a sufficient basis for a diagnosis. This is just a reason for an additional examination by the appropriate specialists. Unfortunately, practicing psychologists note the fact that the label “hyperactivity” is often attached by employees of educational institutions to any uncomfortable child and serves as a kind of cover for the teacher’s unwillingness or lack of experience or ability to properly organize work with children.

Therefore, we repeat once again - neither a teacher, nor parents, nor a school psychologist or a psychologist in a kindergarten can make a diagnosis of "hyperactivity" on their own, without special diagnostic studies and consultations with a neurologist and psychoneurologist. Therefore, if after the next series of tests or just after the next trick of your child, a teacher, psychologist or administration preschool or schools call you in and “diagnose” your child with hyperactivity, then you have every reason to doubt their professional competence. The most they can do is to advise you to contact a specialist. Moreover, it should be noted that this consultation is completely voluntary!

In other words, no one - neither the principal or administration of the school, nor the psychologist, nor the educators or teachers, nor the parents of other children - have the right to require you to undergo a mandatory medical examination or research. On the other hand, neither a psychologist, nor a teacher or educator, nor a school director or head of a kindergarten have the right to inform other children or their parents of the results. psychological tests or any other medical research conducted in an educational institution, to other children, their parents, or to anyone else, except for the legal representatives of a minor child. This is a violation of medical confidentiality.

In the event that a psychologist or class teacher informs you in the correct form about the presence of problems with the behavior and concentration of attention in your child, it is ideal to start with a detailed and confidential consultation with a good pediatrician whom you trust and who will help you develop a plan for further research, advise a good neurologist and, if necessary, a psychoneurologist. And only after receiving the results of diagnostic studies, according to the totality of the opinions of several doctors (at least a pediatrician and a neurologist), the diagnosis of ADHD is made.

We looked at the signs that a preschool or school may suspect a child has ADHD. However, what does a hyperactive child look like in everyday life, when, seeing such behavior, parents can decide for themselves that they need to show the child to a specialist?

First of all, it is necessary to understand the age limits. Although today there is no clear understanding - when and at what age it is possible to diagnose ADHD with certainty, nevertheless, most experts agree that two periods can be distinguished when the signs of this disease are most pronounced: this is the age from 5 (oldest kindergarten group) up to about 12 years and the second period - starting from puberty, that is, about 14 years.

These age limits have their own psychological justification - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is considered to be one of the so-called borderline states of the psyche. That is, in a normal, calm state, this is one of the extreme variants of the norm, but the slightest “catalyst” is enough to bring the psyche out of the normal state, and the extreme version of the norm has already turned into some deviation. A "catalyst" for ADHD is any activity that requires a child to heightened attention, concentration on the same type of work, as well as any hormonal changes that occur in the child's body.

The older group of the kindergarten is actually the beginning of schooling - regular classes and homework appear here, and the need for a certain period of time to do something that is not always interesting, and the ability to behave with restraint during the lesson (20-30 minutes) , the ability to limit their physical activity and correlate their desires with what is happening in the classroom. All this increases the load on the ability to concentrate, which is insufficiently formed in a child with ADHD.

There is another reason why serious experts prefer to diagnose ADHD no earlier than five or six years old - one of the main criteria for attention deficit disorder is the presence of learning disabilities, and they can be established no earlier than the specified age, when the child should be psychologically and physiologically ready to learning activities.

The period of puberty is characterized by a general instability of the child's character, the cause of which is the "hormonal boom" that occurs in the child's body. Therefore, it is not surprising that a child with ADHD, already prone to unstable and unpredictable behavior, finds himself in a more difficult situation than his peers.

However, despite the fact that the diagnosis of ADHD is rarely made in very young children, experts believe that there are a number of signs that suggest a child's predisposition to this disease at an early age. childhood. According to some experts, the first manifestations of this syndrome coincide with the peaks of psychosis. speech development child, that is, they are most pronounced at 1-2 years, 3 years and 6-7 years.

Children prone to ADHD often have increased muscle tone even in infancy, have problems with sleep, especially with falling asleep, are extremely sensitive to any stimuli (light, noise, the presence of a large number of strangers, a new, unusual situation or environment), while awake, are often overly mobile and agitated.

Already at the age of three or four, parents notice that their child is not able to concentrate on one type of activity for a long time: he cannot listen to the end of his favorite fairy tale, play with the same toy for a long time - only picking up one, he immediately throws it and grabs the next one, his activity is chaotic. (So ​​that you are not tempted to hastily enroll your overly active child in the ranks of hyperactive children, I consider it my duty to remind you once again that all the symptoms that we have talked about and will continue to talk about should be of a permanent nature, that is, appear over time (at least six months) and manifest itself in ANY situation, regardless of the mood, the disposition of the child’s spirit, the presence of grandmothers and other personalities in the visibility zone, in front of whom God himself ordered to be capricious and show your character in all its glory.)

With the beginning of systematic studies in senior group kindergarten or in elementary school, parents may notice that their child is extremely restless, very mobile, unable to control his motor activity, to focus on one activity. Moreover, it is characteristic that at first such children sincerely try to do as adults ask them, but they are simply not able to fulfill their requirements.

It should be noted that hyperactivity does not imply a lag in the intellectual development of the child, that is, it means that the presence of hyperactivity in your child does not necessarily mean a lag in mental development. On the contrary, often children with ADHD have rather high intellectual abilities. However, the mental activity of a hyperactive child is characterized by cyclicity. Children can work productively for 5-10 minutes, then the brain rests for 3-7 minutes, accumulating energy for the next cycle. At this point, the child is distracted, does not respond to the teacher. Then mental activity is restored, and the child is ready for work within 5-15 minutes.

Children with ADHD have a “flickering” consciousness, they can “fall in” and “fall out” of it, especially in the absence of physical activity. When a teacher requires students to sit up straight and not be distracted, then for a hyperactive child, these two requirements come into direct conflict. When a hyperactive child thinks, he needs to make some movements - for example, swing in a chair, tap a pencil on the table, mumble something under his breath. If he stops moving, he seems to fall into a stupor and loses the ability to think. Stillness is not a natural state for a hyperactive child, and he needs to focus all his mental, mental and physical abilities on consciously remaining calm. He can't think of anything else at this moment.

In addition to restlessness and inability to concentrate, such children may suffer from speech deficiency, dyslexia, lack of curiosity (due to the inability to experience any kind of long-term interest in any type of activity), clumsiness, insufficient development of fine motor skills (the ability to make small precise movements), reduced interest in acquiring intellectual knowledge. N.N. Zavadenko notes that many children diagnosed with ADHD have speech development disorders and difficulties in developing reading, writing and numeracy skills.

All this makes it not surprising that very quickly such children completely lose interest in studying at school, the need to attend classes becomes a heavy duty for them, they quickly gain fame as hooligans, in adolescence they can get carried away by antisocial activities, they quickly develop an addiction to various bad habits.

It is difficult for such children to get along with their peers, since in everyday behavior they are characterized by inconsistency, impulsiveness, and unpredictability.

No one can ever predict what a hyperdynamic child will do, primarily because he does not know it himself. Such a child always acts spontaneously, as if under the influence of some kind of inspiration, and although he never consciously wishes harm to anyone and does not want to do any prank or stupidity, but most often his actions have devastating consequences that sincerely upset the culprit of the incident.

Such a child is almost never offended when he is punished, due to the peculiarities of his thinking, he is simply not able to concentrate on anything for a long time, on insults - including, therefore he rarely takes offense, does not remember and does not hold evil, even if with someone then he quarrels, then he immediately puts up and forgets about the quarrel. However, despite these positive character traits, a hyperdynamic child is often unrestrained, irritable, subject to frequent and drastic mood swings, unable to control his actions during any collective activity (for example, during a game or training sessions).

Impulsivity often pushes the child to aggressive or destructive actions - in a fit of anger, he can tear up the notebook of the neighbor who offended him, throw all his things on the floor, shake out the contents of the briefcase on the floor. It is about such children that peers say that "he is mad."

Hyperdynamic children rarely become leaders, but when they do, the company they lead is in a state of constant storm, shock, and stress.

All this makes them if not unwanted members. children's team, then very difficult for life in society, complicates interaction with peers in kindergarten and school, and at home with relatives, especially with siblings and parents (grandmothers and aunts, as a rule, accept their grandchildren without any conditions, such what they are, and devote all their strength to mercilessly pampering their child, “ruthlessly brought up by parents”).

Children diagnosed with ADHD are prone to states of emotional tension, they experience their difficulties and failures very acutely. Therefore, it is not surprising that they “easily form and fix negative self-esteem and hostility to everything related to schooling, protest reactions, neurosis-like and psychopathic disorders. These secondary disorders exacerbate the picture, increase school maladaptation, and lead to the formation of a negative "I-concept" of the child.

The development of secondary disorders largely depends on the environment that surrounds him, is determined by how adults are able to understand the difficulties arising from the painfully increased activity and emotional imbalance of the child, and create conditions for their correction in an atmosphere of benevolent attention and support.

Parents also need to know and remember about such a feature of children with ADHD - as a rule, they have a significantly lower pain threshold and they are practically devoid of a sense of fear, which, combined with impulsiveness and uncontrollable behavior, is dangerous for the health and life of not only the child himself, but also for children, whom he can draw into unpredictable fun.

Another problem, in addition to problems that arise directly with communication and organization of school activities, is the problem of nervous tics. Children with ADHD often have twitches and tics.

A tic is a sudden, jerky, repetitive movement involving various muscle groups. Resembles normal coordinated movement, varies in intensity and lacks rhythm. Tic is easy to imitate, always very noticeable, therefore, as a rule, children suffering from tic attacks are often teased by their peers, repeating the child's nervous twitches. A feature of a tic is that the more a person strains the muscles to prevent them from moving, the more intense and prolonged the tic attack becomes.

You can help your child in this case by acting in two directions:

1. teach him the simplest methods of muscle relaxation - it is the relaxation of a tense muscle that can sometimes help and stop a tick;
2. inspire him that there is nothing wrong with his tic - it's just a feature of his body, and, if possible, explain that they tease the person who reacts in the expected way - explodes, gets into a fight or, conversely, runs away or throws himself into tears.

Teaching a child to treat himself with a sense of humor is not easy, but the only way to survive the ridicule of peers (and they will certainly be, children are sometimes extremely cruel) without harming their psyche is to learn to laugh at themselves along with others. Laughter is the only unexpected reaction that, as a rule, does not bring joy to the one who teases, therefore teasing a person who is laughing at himself is uninteresting and boring.

In addition to all the above troubles, many children with ADHD complain of frequent headaches (aching, pressing, squeezing), drowsiness, and increased fatigue. Some have enuresis (urinary incontinence), and not only at night, but also during the day.

Thus, you can see that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is characterized not only by changes in the child's behavior, but also by problems of a purely physiological nature, changes in the state of his physical health.

Therefore, we emphasize again and again that the diagnosis - ADHD - can only be made by a specialist, moreover, a specialist with a medical education, and not a part-time graduate of several universities at once, including one - psychological. Be attentive to who and what diagnoses puts your child. The misdiagnosis of ADHD can cause serious trouble in your child's life and a kind of "stigma" that will not be easy to get rid of.