There was a time when your child was inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive, you sent him outdoors to run off the extra energy. Once he had expended all the bubbling energy and come back indoors he would be in a better frame of mind to concentrate and study. Today, with few places for a child to run and play hard, he gets trapped in the classroom and may be labeled ADHD.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in boys than in girls. Although the primary symptoms must be prevalent for at least six months before a medical professional is able to diagnose it as such, more often than not, the doctors just begin with the treatment, including medication, much before that. This is usually done after a teacher at school identifies problematic behaviors
As a homeschooling parent, how do you deal with a child in the age group of six to twelve years, who seems to exhibit impulsiveness, inattentiveness or a combination of both? Do remember that the behavior has to be consistent all through the day and not just for short periods of time for ADHD to be diagnosed. After all behavioral patterns differ for adults as well in different environments. Who remembers being attentive when the teacher’s voice was begging you to go to sleep? However there was no way the guy hitting homeruns is in any way inattentive.
Don’t confuse general lethargy towards studies and books with inattention due to ADHD. This is what commonly happens with most kids who are just bored with their books and don’t listen to their teachers.It is only when the consistently monitored behavior is negatively impacting academic work, relationships with others and unduly affecting life in general that you should consider potentially labeling it ADHD and getting a medical professional’s opinion. Please remember that even a normal child, specially a teenager, is more than likely to display these symptoms of ADHD.
Some amount of day dreaming, restlessness and rebellion are absolutely normal for most children. It is only when this behavior starts affecting the child’s grades over a long period of time that you need to take action.
