| There are two out-of-character behaviors that | | | | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) |
| parents may begin to see in their children as early as | | | | Just about everyone has heard of this and ADD. |
| the age of eight. With both, you may at first attribute | | | | Parents should be careful not to diagnose their own |
| them to just moodiness or stubbornness or being | | | | child with ADHD or ADD just because they are |
| fidgety and distracted. | | | | occasionally forgetful or daydream or act without |
| Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) | | | | thinking every once in awhile. If your child does have |
| If your child occasionally disobeys, talks back, and | | | | ADD or ADHD, the symptoms will show up by about |
| argues with you, especially when they are tired or | | | | the age of seven. |
| hungry or maybe under a little stress, it could just be | | | | The true symptoms can be a myriad of conflicting |
| part of his or her normal development. But if this | | | | things. A child with ADD or ADHD can be both |
| behavior gets to the point where the child is constantly | | | | hyperactive and a daydreamer. The hyperactive part |
| and blatantly hostile and uncooperative, enough that it | | | | of the child may fidget, move around constantly, talk |
| affects his or her relationships with teachers, friends | | | | excessively, and be unable to play quietly. When the |
| and family, it's possible that your child may have | | | | child is the daydreamer, he won't pay attention and will |
| Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). Some of the | | | | make careless mistakes, can't remain focused, is easily |
| more typical symptoms are:o Temper tantrumso | | | | distracted, and will frequently misplace things. Add to |
| Arguing with authority figureso Trying to annoy | | | | these the characteristic of impulsivity and the child can |
| peopleo Displays of anger and resentmento Mean and | | | | become a handful. |
| hateful talk | | | | A mental health professional can help you by |
| There really is no definable cause for this behavior, but | | | | pinpointing diagnoses and recommending treatment |
| many things can play a part in a child exhibiting these | | | | which may mean therapy, an exercise plan to help |
| types of outbursts. If you feel your child's behavior fits | | | | burn all that energy, and doing things around the house |
| into this description, you may want to consult a mental | | | | to minimize distractions. If necessary a psychiatrist |
| health professional and have him or her evaluated. | | | | may even prescribe medication that can help if these |
| ODD can be treated with parental techniques, but | | | | things strategies do not work. Ultimately, the best form |
| these children often can be extremely difficult for | | | | of treatment is therapy and medication combined. |
| parents to deal with on their own. | | | | |