| Perhaps one of the most challenging conditions that | | | | they can accept and like themselves despite the |
| can afflict a child early in life is attention deficit | | | | disorder. |
| hyperactivity disorder (also known as ADHD or ADD). | | | | . Social Skills Training. This approach is mainly geared |
| But rather than being engrossed in wondering what | | | | towards teaching children to learn accepted behaviors |
| we, as parents, might have done wrong or what might | | | | necessary in developing and maintaining social |
| have caused the onset of the disorder, it is better to | | | | relationships. An ADD child is known to be hyperactive |
| find ways to help our children cope up with this | | | | and impulsive. They might find it hard to build friendly |
| condition. | | | | relationships with other children since they cannot |
| ADD can be a lifelong burden. Studies indicate that | | | | control their emotions and they generally don't think |
| approximately 30 to 70% of all ADD cases can persist | | | | before they act. Simple things like waiting for a turn in a |
| up to the adult years. What's worse is that majority of | | | | game or toy they want may be impossible for them. |
| these cases can go on undiagnosed and untreated. | | | | What they naturally lack, they might learn to develop in |
| Being an adult with ADD is not an easy call, either. The | | | | a social skills training session. During these sessions, the |
| symptoms of ADD can very much complicate an | | | | therapist explains and models appropriate behaviors |
| afflicted individual's life, which may lead to the | | | | for particular situations and gives the children a chance |
| development of low self-esteem, substance abuse | | | | to practice what they learned. |
| and relationship problems, among others. | | | | . Behavioral Intervention. Children with ADD have short |
| Given this scenario, treating and supporting a child with | | | | attention spans and may find difficulty in organizing. |
| this condition can be considered a dire necessity. It can | | | | Therefore, one major task left for us parents is to help |
| be very vital in order to give our children an equal | | | | them in this aspect. To answer this need effectively, |
| chance in succeeding and living a happy life. | | | | here are some simple behavioral interventions which |
| Aside from the usual stimulant medication routine, there | | | | may go a long, long way: ? Stick to a schedule. Having |
| are also several intervention approaches available to | | | | the same routine day after day can be a great help |
| help an ADD child cope with the condition. Among | | | | for these children and may help them create a sense |
| these are the following: | | | | of order in their otherwise chaotic existence. It is best |
| . Psychotherapy. In clinical settings, the therapist | | | | to write down the schedule (be as detailed as you can |
| generally urges the patient to talk about thoughts or | | | | be!) and post it where they can see it. For this task, the |
| feelings which can be upsetting him (or her) and how | | | | refrigerator door can be your best choice! Teach them |
| he (or she) may have reacted or dealt with the | | | | to write it down! Stress the importance of writing |
| offending situation. From thereon, both patient and | | | | down assignments and other school work. And finally, |
| therapist try to explore alternative ways to handle the | | | | be a good role model. To do this, you may simply need |
| patient's emotions and find ways to change for the | | | | to have a place for everything and keep everything in |
| better. In psychotherapy, the patients are taught how | | | | their proper places at all times. You'll be surprised at |
| they can better cope with their disorder and learn how | | | | how much this can positively affect your child! |