An analogue lifestyle with little screen time, lots of sport and exercise is beneficial for children and young people with ADHD. — Feeepik
IN adults, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has become, in the age of the internet and social media, a prevalent self-diagnosis.
Its symptoms typically start in early childhood but sometimes aren’t diagnosed until later in childhood, or until adulthood – if at all.
Along with inattentiveness and hyperactivity, symptoms of the common childhood neurodevelopmental disorder include impulsive behaviour.
What should parents do if they think their child may have ADHD? How can they help? What should they know? Three experts offer tips:
“It would be wise to get a diagnosis to clear up any suspicion, since uncertainly helps neither the parents nor the affected children,” says paediatric psychotherapist Dr Josepha Katzmann, speaking in a podcast of the German Association of Psychotherapists (DPtV).
A positive diagnosis should be explained to the child in language they can understand, she says.
“The child should know that having ADHD isn’t their fault. They have particular traits that make many things more difficult, but in some ways are also strengths.”
Many ADHD children can benefit from professional support, she points out, for example via specific psycho- and ergotherapies. At home, too, there are things that can help.
Structure and routines:
Katzmann advises parents to create a clearly structured environment and unambiguous rules for the child.
“Structures help not only the child but also parents, who then know what they’re supposed to do. This reduces conflicts and feelings of helplessness.”
Positive reinforcement: “Praise your child for good behaviour and small successes. This bolsters the child’s self- confidence and motivates them,” says paediatric psychotherapist Mila Ould Yahoui in a webinar by the German magazine Psychologie Heute (Psychology Today).
Limited screen time:
“An ‘analogue’ lifestyle with little screen time, lots of sport, exercise, social interactions, nature and a balanced diet is beneficial for all children and adolescents,” remarks, in the same webinar, Dr Sarah Hohmann, director of the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Hamburg-Eppendorf University Medical Centre.
Sound sleep:
“Develop good sleep hygiene with bedtime routines that enable the child to calm down,” says Ould Yahoui, who recommends that they read before going to bed rather than watch something or play video games.
Parental involvement is less important for ADHD adolescents. At that age, information about the disorder takes precedence.
“Adolescents are often grateful when their difficulties are made more explicable and they can better understand them,” Katzmann says.
In therapy, strategies are developed with adolescents to help them manage their everyday lives, she explains. The strategies are aimed more at improving their ability to cope with the difficulties than at “making the difficulties go away.”
It’s important to know, Katzmann says, that “ADHD is a disorder that can change as you get older.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you automatically ‘outgrow’ it though. Many adults continue to have problems with concentration, structure and impulsivity.”
So if the symptoms, and/or their degree, change over time, management strategies must be adjusted accordingly. – dpa
