Attention please

Vijay’s early years were lost in disciplining him rather than in play. When he entered school his teachers said he was frequently hyperactive,distracted and disruptive. He was fidgety and had difficulty following instructions,often failing to complete tasks. He was obsessed with one idea (Batman) in every written or pictorial task,and sometimes even hit fellow students. Even though Vijay’s grades were low,he was a bright child.

Vijay has Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder,which is a neuro-biological disorder. The brain’s frontal lobes control attention,impulsive behaviour,and other executive functions. About three to seven per cent of school children and about five per cent of adults suffer from Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). These children are met with disapproval,social rejection and other forms of discouragement. The ratio of ADHD boys to girls treated in clinical settings is typically 4:1. It is a myth that poor parenting causes ADHD. However,it is highly probable that poor parenting contributes to the severity of ADHD symptoms.

Children like Vijay who suffer from ADD or ADHD exhibit a tendency to be very intellectual,imaginative and ingenious. You come across people in all walks of life with ADHD,including successful doctors,lawyers and business owners. Albert Einstein and Mozart also were ADHD,says Dr Anjali Morris,who heads the Morris Foundation and has tied up with several schools to help the children with the problems. More than 400 children are provided counseling from various schools.

Diagnosing ADHD involves tracking symptoms (like Vijay’s) in children below seven years of age. These symptoms must be present for more than six months,at home,school and in a social situation. If left untreated,ADHD has a huge impact on the child’s future. Even as an adult it takes a toll on emotional health with a lifetime of pain and frustration.

ADHD can easily be mistaken for other problems like learning disabilities (LDs),unidentified mood disorders or parenting problems,therefore a subjective diagnosis must be made by a qualified professional using a variety of tests.

ADHD is commonly treated with medication used in conjunction with educational support and behavior-shaping programmes. The main focus should be on the child’s strengths and not his challenges or difficulties. Comprehensive effort between doctors,parents,teachers and caregivers is essential for the treatment of an ADHD child and in helping him or her achieve a successful life.

It is necessary to adopt a multidisciplinary approach while diagnosing,assessing,analysing and assisting the treatment of ADHD children. Once the diagnosis is made,the outlook for most children,who receive treatment for ADHD is very encouraging. Each child’s treatment is individually tailored,says Morris.