What is Hyperactivity?
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http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/learning_problem/adhdkid.html |
"You're not
paying attention."
Can you imagine
what it would be like to hear people talk to you this way every single day? If
you can imagine it, or if it sounds just like what you're used to hearing, then
you know what it's like to have ADHD. Those letters stand for a condition
called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Kids who have
ADHD are not bad, lazy, or stupid. They have a disorder that means they may
have problems paying attention or sitting still in their seats. They can also
act on impulse - this means doing things without thinking about them first.
Kids with ADHD may spend a lot of time in the principal's office. Sometimes
they do things that cause them to get hurt. They might change their friends a
lot.
Who
Gets ADHD? A kid might have
a greater chance of developing ADHD if one of his or her relatives already has
ADHD or another type of behavior problem. But no one is sure why anyone has
ADHD, although scientists and doctors think that it probably has to do with
differences in the way people's brains work. No one gets ADHD on purpose, so it
isn't ever anyone's fault. And ADHD isn't contagious - you can't catch it from
someone like the
flu.
What
Are the Signs of ADHD? Sometimes they
can be disorganized, distracted, or forgetful. They might lose things and have
trouble finishing assignments. They may wiggle around in their seats, move
around a lot, talk too much, or interrupt other people's conversations.
It's important
to remember that everybody does these things once in a while. It doesn't mean
you have ADHD.
Checking
It Out What
Happens When a Kid Is Diagnosed With ADHD? But children who
have ADHD need more than just medicine. They also need help learning how to
change the way they act. Some kids with ADHD can learn to do this by using
relaxation therapy or behavioral therapy. In relaxation therapy, counselors
teach kids how to relax and stay calm by doing deep-breathing exercises and
relaxing different muscle groups.
Behavioral
therapy helps kids with ADHD by teaching them to set goals for themselves and
by using rewards to help them reach those goals. Teachers can give a kid with
ADHD a reward for sitting still in class, for example. And parents can do the
same thing at home, by rewarding their children for paying attention,
completing their chores, or keeping track of their things. Kids with ADHD may
need extra help learning how to do things other kids find easy.
Kids who have
ADHD can become
depressed or anxious.
So for many kids with ADHD, the key to success is not only following the
treatment plan from the doctor, but working to build good friendships with
other kids, too. Many kids with ADHD find that their symptoms get better as
they get older. Adults with ADHD can have happy lives, and they can be very
successful in whatever they decide to do.
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