As a parent, it is always a huge task to raise an ADHD child. Unlike traditional childcare where normal rule-making is effective, an ADHD condition poses a new proposition to parenting. Considering my past struggles with ADHD, I would not like my child to go through the same ordeal. However, the existence of external social factors such as the internet makes it difficult to control the behavior of ADHD children. Having consulted widely, I came into a conclusion that my six-year-old child might require a thorough behavioral management therapy, medication, and a proper diet.
A few months after diagnosis, my child started manifesting some common symptoms. Whenever given class assignments, he never finished them in time. Also, he developed a habit of daydreaming and making careless mistakes. As a parent, this is worrying since it easy to imagine the trauma he undergoes while in school. Based on the life-threatening discrimination I underwent in my childhood days; I can imagine what he is enduring in school. It is always a child’s joy to mingle and work in unison with others. However, with his current habit of making careless mistakes, I fear that the condition might get worse. The most challenging concept with ADHD children is that whenever they experience impulsivity, it is difficult for their behavior to be controlled. Impulsivity refers to a hyperactive period through which a patient acts less hastily and cautiously ( Rapport et al., 2013) . It is through this behavior that ADHD children can easily harm others or even themselves unintentionally.
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After witnessing some behavioral changes with the child, it was time to act. Behavioral management therapy can be the best treatment for ADHD children. In this therapy, only positive behavior is rewarded. As a parent, I must draft behaviors that are acceptable and those that are not. By following through this rule, I believe that they can help him identify the permitted mode of conduct. Even though behavioral management therapy may not be effective at first, it helps a child to understand the consequences associated with a given type of behavior ( Neudecker, Mewes, Reimers & Woll, 2015). As a parent, this therapy can help him control the impulse of the action. After the child was subjected to this therapy, I found it challenging since it requires patience, empathy, affection and a lot of energy to see through the process. Considering that ADHD children are stubborn, it is easy to imagine the challenges encountered by parents when implementing this therapy. Physical outbursts, unwillingness to follow instructions and excessive rage are some of the behaviors I considered punishable. However, this process needs patience and adherence to the instructions provided. At first, I could not implement the therapy properly since I could not punish negative behavior consistently. As much the effectiveness of behavioral management therapy is determined by how strict a parent is, it is important to be flexible sometimes. While it is important to regulate the behavior of ADHD children, it worth noting that their adaptation to the set rules is not similar to that of normal kids. As a parent, I was keen to ensure that I do not undermine my child’s ability to explore the environment in a good way. Even though some behavior may fall under the punishable category, they can still provide important lessons to an ADHD child. With this knowledge, I came to a conclusion that not all quirky behaviors are worth discouraging in behavioral management therapy.
Besides adopting behavioral management therapy, encouraging the child to take part in physical exercises is another important aspect I consider key. For ADHD patients, physical exercises cushion them from experiencing lower depressive and anxiety episodes ( Charach, Yeung, Volpe & Goodale, 2014). Also, it is evident that exercises can help control concentration levels, sleep patterns, and overall brain stimulation ( Thapar, Cooper, Eyre & Langley, 2013). It is through this concern that I had to devise ways through which I could subject my child to proper physical exercises. Rope skipping, bike riding, and football are some of the exercises that I considered important for my child. Since football is my hobby, I believe that I can inspire him to take sporting activities seriously. Also, keeping in mind that my ADHD sufferings were alleviated by indulging in intense sporting activities, it is easy to imagine their impact on ADHD children.
Embracing good sleeping routines is another strategy that can be employed to control aggressiveness among ADHD patients. With this knowledge, it was important for my child to get enough sleep since it is thought to improve the brain functions. Studies have indicated that lack of enough sleep aggravates ADHD symptoms ( Cairns, Daniels, Wood & Brett, 2016). Therefore, it no secret that quality sleep can boost the ability of the body to control energy levels ( Cairns et al., 2016). As a result, patients can benefit from reduced hyperactivity tendencies. It is also worth noting that quality sleep can improve their mood and socialization abilities. With this knowledge, it was prudent to regulate bedtime hours to cushion the kid from severe ADHD symptoms. However, much of these strategies were implemented after carrying out thorough research and wide consultations. As a parent, it is always challenging to determine what is best for an ADHD child. The parenting role is made harder due to the unpredictability of the illness. Even though it is advisable to discuss the adopted strategies with the victim, but how can I expect solid answers from a person who may act irrationally? Even though regulating sleeping patterns may seem appropriate, it still difficult to determine if it is working or not. As a parent who has undergone the same ordeal in a childhood life, I may not even be sure if my decisions are accurate. Considering that I love the child and it is my responsibility to serve his interest, I would not tire to work harder till his life is ultimately improved.
Having undergone a torrid experience in my past, I would still consider medication the mainstream treatment to the illness. As much as exercise and behavioral management can be effective, their integration with mainstream medication can produce better results. Stimulants are one type of medication that can reduce the severity of ADHD. Research postulates that stimulants can improve how different sections of the brain interact with each other ( Bessey, Coulombe & Corkum, 2013). Therefore, when children are subjected to these drugs, they tend to benefit from improved motor skills, language, attention, and self-regulation ( Zhou et al., 2015) . Methylphenidate is an example of a common stimulant that is normally used to reduce the effects of ADHD on its victims ( Arnett, MacDonald & Pennington, 2013) . Having not received proper medication in my childhood why not take care of my child? As a parent, it is always a hard step to determine when a given drug is required and steps through which the side effects can be alleviated. Even though it is a parent’s responsibility to visit a pediatrician for advice, it is costly to manage the frequent visits required. Having implemented some of the medications on my child, it was evident that his condition was improving. However, am worried of the future since ADHD symptoms normally reoccur based on the patient’s social environment. For instance, the stigma being perpetrated by his colleagues in school can jeopardize the whole behavioral management therapy.
References
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