Children detected with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) have brains that develop slower when compared to other kids their age. This neurodevelopmental disorder does, by no means, diminish the child’s intelligence.
Patients have a shorter attention span and are unable to control their emotions resulting in hyperactive and impulsive behavior. Remember, the structure, chemistry, and functioning of an ADHD brain biologically differ from the brain of a child not suffering from this disorder.
ADHD behavior patterns in kids generally come to the fore between ages 3 and 6. The child may have trouble thinking, planning, and completing tasks, thus leading to frequent verbal outbursts. It’s diagnosed as a disorder when symptoms displayed are excessive for the child’s age and regularly interfere with their day to day functioning.
So if the child’s actual age is 6, the ADHD executive age would be 4. It basically means that kids who have ADHD are a few years behind their biological age despite having a brain full of information.
As a parent of a child who has ADHD, you must refrain from setting developmental expectations as per your kid’s chronological age. Here are the common issues to understand to acknowledge and understand this gap:
Poor Organization Skills
Your ADHD afflicted child might excel in a subject like maths, scoring higher than his other batchmates. Yet, he may completely forget a task like submitting his homework on time.
Some may struggle to remember routine actions like the sequence of events to ensure they head out in time for school each morning. In addition to poor time management and having trouble planning and prioritizing tasks, there is even a tendency to forget or lose everyday items.
Give Unsolicited Advice
Such children have a habit of talking incessantly and interrupting others by butting in rudely. They cannot fathom why such behavior is considered undesirable and will not think twice about repeatedly behaving in this manner.
Sometimes, even going to the extent of dictating terms by telling others what, when, and how to do certain things. It does not matter to them how their actions are perceived as they are unaware that others also have an opinion.
Lack of Focus
It’s genuinely hard for kids with ADHD to remember even the simplest of tasks when assigned with a host of instructions. When you send them on an errand, they will go with full enthusiasm but will invariably forget the purpose of their trip.
They quickly lose focus to such a degree that besides forgetting to get what they had to, it will not strike them even to come back. The latter happens, especially when something catches their attention the other end.
Rigid In Their Way of Thinking
ADHD makes a child very rigid in their outlook of life. He or she is not even open to looking at a solution from another person’s perspective. You cannot expect such children to adapt or adjust using a flexible approach.
When they are forced into doing something against their will, they are likely to display their anger. It is common to see violent streaks suddenly emerging at the slightest provocation, in ADHD affected children.
However, it’s advised to approach them with kindness and compassion, as their ADHD executive age is lesser than their biological age and they might not be able to comprehend what the problem was in the first place.
ADHD is common in a lot of children, and some even grow up without knowing they have ADHD. These kids need support and help in order for them to cope with their trials and tribulations.
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