Tag Archives: adhd and focus

ADHD & Focus, Child Health, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

Tips for developing social skills for your child

As kids grow and start interacting with friends and family, they begin developing social skills by learning scripts for how they should behave in certain situations.

But for children with learning disabilities, this can be challenging. These activities can help strengthen their understanding of social scripts which will help to build their confidence in social situations.

 

Social skill building activities

  • Read or tell your child stories about friendship and social interaction. Explain what made the interaction successful
  • Role play social interactions your child struggles with so they get the practice they need
  • Explain facial expressions and body language to your child using real-life examples that the two of you have experienced together
  • Start a story involving social interaction and ask your child how they would handle the situation. Coach them if necessary.

 

Putting the social skills to practice

Once your child gets some practice with social scripts, it’s time to let them put their skills to the test.

Let them spend time among their friend and other peers. Sometimes the best way to learn a new skill is to be immersed in a situation and learning first hand – same goes for building social skills.

You can also get them involved in activities that introduce them to new people.

Extracurricular activities such as sports, summer camp or art classes will expose your child to new people and new situations, giving them another opportunity to learn social scripts and find new activities.

Another great way to teach these social scripts to your child is to talk with them whenever possible.

Eating dinner as a family, shopping together or just simply asking your child about their day will all provide opportunities to interact and build their social skills.

 

ADHD & Focus, Child Safety, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

An Overview of ADHD symptoms

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder presents itself as a lack of ability to focus, hyperactivity and the inability to control behavior. It can be a combination of these symptoms, or only one of them. When these behaviors are noticeable and disruptive, the individual is often diagnosed with ADHD.

 

The People Who Have ADHD

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 3 to 5 percent of all children have ADHD. Other experts say this figure is even higher, at 8 to 10 percent. Mental health professionals are reluctant to diagnose ADHD in children under the age of 5.

The demands of a structured school day are usually the circumstance that exposes ADHD symptoms. Difficulties in school will cause school professionals to urge parents to have their children evaluated for ADHD.

More than half of the children diagnosed with ADHD continue to struggle with the disorder as adults.

 

Symptoms

Children or adults suffering from ADHD regularly demonstrate three or more of the listed behaviors, which have lasted for at least six months.

• Easily distracted
• Unable to follow directions or complete tasks
• Makes careless mistakes
• Does not listen when spoken to
• Inability to wait their turns
• Struggle to process information accurately
• Have difficulty organizing and remembering daily tasks
• Do not enjoy activities that require concentration, sustained efforts or sitting still
• Frequently loses things
• Difficulty playing quietly or independently
• Talking excessively
• Blurting out answers before questions are completed
• Interrupting others

 

Managing ADHD

ADHD cannot be cured, but it can be successfully treated with combinations of different types of medication, psychotherapy, education and training. The most common ADHD medication is stimulant medication, which will calm a person with this disorder.

The ability of a stimulant to calm ADHD symptoms is also a good way to confirm the diagnoses because a stimulant would have the opposite effect on a person without ADHD.

 

The Importance of Treating ADHD

Although some individuals do not agree that so many children and adults need to be evaluated for ADHD, the alternative is not good for those with the disorder.

Children with uncontrolled ADHD symptoms get punished frequently and are unable to establish friendships. These children also fall behind in reaching academic milestones. Adults with ADHD struggle more with employment, personal relations and parenting issues.

Research has provided the tools to help people with ADHD have happier, healthier and more successful lives.

 

ADHD & Focus, Bullying, SYN Digital Enrollment Director, SYN The Bully Expert

Managing bullying and ADHD

Raising children is one of the most difficult and rewarding things a person will ever do. Being the parent of a child with ADHD can be overwhelming, but with some adjustments, a family can come together and make life easier for the child.

One of the problems children with ADHD face is bullying from others, especially at school. Even though ADHD is rather common among school-aged children, any child who is different faces the possibility of being singled out.

 

What parents can do to stop bullyingkids-on-track

When bullying occurs for any reason, whether due to a disability or simply because kids are still learning how to treat others, the best way to combat it is to be proactive. Parents should stay in contact with teachers and find out if there are any problems in the classroom.

Also, parents need to make it clear to their kids that if anyone picks on them, they can come to them and talk about it. Keeping dialogue open is the best way to earn a child’s trust.

The parents of bullies also have to be proactive. Generally, the first notification a parent may get about their child exhibiting bullying behavior should come from a teacher.

However, it’s possible to spot bullying behavior before being notified of it. If the child is withdrawn, sullen, acting aggressive or out of character, the parent may be able to discuss concerns with the child’s teacher and learn what he or she can do to help those involved.

 

Who is a bullying victim?

Bullying is a big problem in American schools, but awareness is being raised both in and out of the classroom to identify and understand bullying behavior.

Often, the victims are “different” from their peers; either they’re too smart or not smart enough, like “weird” hobbies or have a disability of some kind. Maybe they’re a different race than everyone else in class, or they have an unusual appearance. Sometimes, a child is bullied for no apparent reason at all.

Whatever the reason, many schools are taking a zero-tolerance stance on bullying, and with good reason. Bullying has led to older children and teenagers committing suicide, and it can make many aspects of a child’s life difficult.

Fortunately, schools and parents can work together to stop bullying behavior before it gets out of hand. Children do not have to like each other, but they should not be permitted to treat each other unkindly or with disrespect.

ADHD & Focus, Bullying, SYN Digital Enrollment Director, SYN The Bully Expert

Bullying and the cognitively disabled

Bullying shouldn’t happen to anyone, but sadly, those with physical or cognitive disabilities are at an especially high risk of being targeted by bullies.

The observable differences between the target and the bully make for easy insults and little chance of reprisal by the targeted child. It is heartbreaking and could do serious damage to the self-esteem of your child.

Below is a great article that any parent, guardian or educator who deals with students who have learning disabilities or ADHD should read.

Understanding Bullying and Its Impact on Kids With Learning Disabilities or ADHD

When we understand the problem – why it happens, what can be done to stop it – and learn to recognize the warning signs, what we learn are the tools we need to put a stop to the problem. Armed with the right tools, we can help put an end to bullying of all students.

ADHD & Focus, Child Safety, Self-Discipline, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

Managing and controlling your child’s ADHD symptoms

If you have a child with ADHD or ADHD symptoms, then you know how overwhelming this can be. What if there was a way to control and reduce your child’s ADHD symptoms, by helping them directing their energy into something more positive?

Most children with ADHD or ADHD symptoms do not have the ability of organizing, thinking and planning ahead, or completing tasks. As a parent, you will need to provide extra guidance for your child, while allowing your child to gain skills of their own.

 

What are some ADHD symptoms?

Before you can find solutions for your child, it’s best to first understand all of your child’s symptoms and how they impact the family as a whole.

Here are a few noticeable behaviors that many children with ADHD have that can disrupt the life of your family.

  • They tend to disregard parental instructions
  • They are very unorganized, as well as easily distracted
  • They’ll begin projects and forget to finish them
  • They will often interrupt conversation and demand to be the center of attention at the worst times
  • They may speak before they think of what to say
  • It can be very difficult for them to go to sleep
  • They can also put themselves in physical danger by doing things that will cause them bodily harm

 

Ways to manage ADHD symptoms

There are ways to help reduce some of these symptoms that will make you and your family much happier in the long run. The first step is to stay positive and healthy by have a more positive outlook on life.

The best way to do this is to try to keep things in perspective. Keep in mind that your child’s behavior is a disorder. They don’t have an evil intention to make you and your family’s life a living hell.

Another thing to keep in mind is to have a sense of humor. As your child gets older, all of those embarrassing experiences you’ve dealt with in the past, will become funny stories in the future.

You’ll need to make some compromises for your child. If you child hasn’t finished their chores or have missed a couple homework assignments, cut your child some slack. You need to understand that if your child hasn’t finish something the way you wanted them to, it isn’t the end of the world.

Help your child grow as a person by believing in them. Put together a list of positive and unique this about your child. Be sure to trust that they will be to learn and mature themselves as the days go by.

 

ADHD symptoms can take a toll on you as well

While you are taking care of your child, you should also take care of yourself, especially during this time.

Be sure to exercise and eat right, as well as look for ways to reduce stress from your life. You should also seek support by talking with a teacher or a therapist.

You should also consider joining a support group for parents of children with ADHD. This will allow you to share your experiences and receive helpful advice from others going through the same situation.

ADHD & Focus, Child Safety, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

Managing ADHD in your child

So you’ve just found out that your child has Attention Defect Hyperactivity Disorder and you are worried about what lies ahead for you and your child.

Below are a few things that every parent with children diagnosed with ADHD should know.

 

It can be managed

Although there is no cure for ADHD, the symptoms can be managed through medication and behavioral therapy. Meanwhile,  specialized or supplemental education such as a private tutor can ensure that your child doesn’t fall behind academically.

The amount of countermeasures needed to manage ADHD symptoms will vary based on the severity of each individual case, but typically children can be nearly symptom free with these simple treatments.

 

Medication

There are three types of medication that children with ADHD could be put on. They are:

  • stimulants – most common treatment, last 4-12 hours
  • nonstimulants – fewer side effects than stimulants, last up to 24 hours
  • antidepressants – can be effective, slight risk increase of suicide

Each have their positive and negative effects, so it is up to you and the doctor to determine which one or combination are right for your child.

 

Behavior therapy

In addition to medication, your child might benefit from more structure through establishing a routine. The goal is to help your child understand what is expected of them by consistently having them perform the same actions on a regular basis.

For example, having a set bedtime that is followed on a nightly basis will help your child understand and recognize that as the bedtime approaches, they are expected to do things like get in their pajamas and brush their teeth.

Limiting choices and distractions in their life will keep them from becoming too distracted or overwhelmed.

 

Your child is not alone

Between 8% – 10% of American children are diagnosed with ADHD. Boys are three times as likely to be diagnosed than girls. In addition to speaking with your doctor, both parents and children might find it helpful to talk with other families managing the symptoms of ADHD.

Together you can learn what works and what doesn’t without having to feel like you’re suffering through it all alone.