How to handle children with ADD?
ADD is a behavior and attention related ailment. Children with ADD exhibit troublesome and impulsive behavior, which can be extremely disturbing and annoying to the parents. It must be understood that the traditional “carrot and stick” type of guidance may not be effective with ADD afflicted children. They will require a far more serious and detailed approach of guidance. It is also important to understand that ADD in children is not because of bad parenting; the actual causes and reasons for ADD is still not determined and is a subject of intense scientific research. Parents can take heart from the fact that children with ADD can be controlled and can also be taught to cope with their affliction. The role played by the parents in the treatment of children with ADD is very important for the overall success of the treatment. Apart from following the treatment regimen religiously, parents must also be prepared to make some sacrifices of their own. They must be extremely patient and must not lose heart if the children are not responding to their instructions. Children with ADD may be incapable of grasping concepts and instructions, so, the parents must be very patient and perseverant with their wards.
Apart from teaching the right behavior to children with ADD, parents must also be very observant and anticipate the mistakes and prevent them from occurring. This type of anticipatory training can reduce the psychological trauma for both, the children and parents alike. Parents will also have to make life style changes so that they set the right example that children with ADD can follow. These kinds of sacrifices are necessary for the overall development of the children. Treatment for ADD in children is more behavioral and life style based; it is not that much dependant on medication. Suppressants and stimulants are prescribed but parents will have to be very careful with these medicines and must take care not to over indulge. Children with ADD can be very tiresome and can exhaust the patience and energy of the parents; it can be very tempting for the parents to give suppressants to children to gain temporary calm and relief from the mental exhaustion that they are subject to. But, such medication can also lead to side effects and lifelong repercussions for the children. The responsibility of the overall development of children with ADD lies entirely on the parents; they must prepare themselves mentally and physically for the hard grind that is ahead of them, till children with ADD cross their adolescence.
