Living with ADHD is not easy, neither for children nor for their parents. When this disorder is not managed properly, the child’s life can be uphill and family dynamics suffer. On the contrary, when therapeutic indications are followed, the child can improve considerably.
Five factors that improve ADHD
1. Early diagnosis
Early diagnosis is often the key to relieving any disorder. The sooner treatment gets under way, the better. ADHD is no exception, so the sooner the diagnosis is made, the quicker intervention can be made and the better the results. This is because, Firstly, the earlier ADHD symptoms are detected, the less structured they will be, and secondly, the younger the child, the easier it will be to redirect their behavior.
2. Stability in family life
Living in a stable, harmonious and organized family environment is essential for any child, even more so for children with ADHD. In fact, limits in family life have been shown to help counteract the manifestations of this disorder, which often leads the child to lead a disorganized life. For this reason, psychologists recommend establishing rules, habits and limits appropriate to the needs of each child with ADHD.
3. Parental support
ADHD and school failure often go hand in hand, which is why many of these children end up rejecting school. In addition, since academic problems affect their self-esteem and confidence, it is essential that they have the support of their parents. Children with ADHD need to know that their parents love them, beyond their achievements or school failures.
4. Adapting academic activities
Most children with ADHD find it difficult to concentrate on academic tasks, which directly influences their school results. Therefore, it is essential that the curricular programs are adapted to the needs of the child. This does not mean that they require special education, but rather that the planning of the academic tasks must be adapted to their characteristics.
5. Integration between family and school
For children with ADHD it is important to receive family and school support, but both must also work together for the same goal. In fact, children whose parents are fully involved in school activities show better academic performance than those whose parents stay out of school. Obviously, when parents help their children with homework and stay on top of their behavior at school, children’s performance increases.
Five circumstances that can aggravate ADHD
- The late detection of the disorder. The late diagnosis of ADHD is one of the factors that can exacerbate the disorder. The problem is that, as time goes by, the symptoms become more complex and structured, making them more difficult to treat and even increasing the chances of other pathologies appearing.
- A family education that is too severe or very permissive. The lack of clear rules and limits or, on the contrary, the presence of too strict and inflexible routines, are factors that affect the life of the child with ADHD. These little ones need a well-organized family environment, with specific schedules and routines, but at the same time, parents must be flexible enough to know how to adapt to the child’s needs.
- Lack of communication with parents. The child with ADHD needs to be heard, they need to know that they understand them because only then will they feel safe and supported. When you don’t have a space to express what you feel with confidence, you are likely to feel frustrated and stress and anxiety levels increase, further accentuating the symptoms of ADHD.
- School failure . Often the child with ADHD does not achieve academic goals, either because of the intensity of their symptoms or because they have not had the help of their parents or teachers. However, academic failure is much more than a bad grade, it also affects the child’s self-esteem and confidence, which can lead to school dropout and worsen symptoms.
- Comorbidity with other disorders. There are some personological characteristics that can exacerbate ADHD, such as low tolerance for frustration, stubbornness, authoritarianism, emotional lability, and low self-esteem. Symptoms may also worsen with the development of other disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, learning disorders, mood disturbances, and communication disorders.