Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

A child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has difficulty concentrating and may also demonstrate disruptive, overstimulated or aggressive behaviour and have trouble controlling impulses. This impacts on school performance and makes it very hard for the child to stay on task. ADHD is one of the most common forms of behavioural disorder that starts during childhood, and can go on to affect teenagers and young adults with increasingly damaging results. Psychiatrists believe that ADHD is a neurobehavioural developmental disorder that if allowed to go untreated can have a negative influence on the sufferer’s life. However, treatment of ADHD has developed to new levels with greater success through language and behavioural therapy.

Individuals with ADHD find it far more difficult to focus for any prolonged length of time on something without becoming distracted. ADHD sufferers have greater difficulty in controlling their thought and speech patterns, which may manifest itself in inappropriate behaviour or communication with those around them. Although many children experiencing normal behavioural development may be boisterous and excitable, a continuing pattern of inability to concentrate or to become easily distracted points to ADHD.

What are the signs of ADHD?

There are three types of ADHD. The predominately inattentive form indicates a person who has difficulty in completing a given task, finding it challenging to pay attention to details or to follow instructions or conversations. Predominately hyperactive-impulsive ADHD sufferers find it hard to keep still and younger children may be continually running, jumping or climbing. They can be restless and impulsive, often interrupting others during conversations and will have a tendency to speak at inappropriate times. Finally, a combined type ADHD sufferer has a combination of both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive forms of the condition.

The general signs of ADHD in children are:

• The child is overactive, restless and fidgets
• The child is constantly chattering without any noticeable understanding or reaction to responses
• The child may continuously interrupt others, causing disruption particularly in classroom situations
• The child cannot concentrate for long periods on specific tasks and appears to become easily bored
• The child may be inattentive and find it difficult to follow conversations

What causes ADHD?

As yet, scientists are still uncertain if there are any biological causes for ADHD, although many believe there to be a correlation between the condition and certain chemical imbalances in the brain. Studies have shown that a person’s risk of developing ADHD is higher if a close relative has had the condition, although no definitive hereditary link has yet been proven. The condition is much more prevalent in boys and some studies have also indicated that certain food additives, particularly some colourings, can have an impact on ADHD behaviour. The onset of ADHD usually occurs in early childhood and symptoms may last into adulthood. However, there is a marked decrease in the intensity of the symptoms as the sufferer grows older.

How can ADHD benefit from Verbal Behaviour?

Dealing with ADHD can be challenging and exhausting for parents. There are often negative reports from school and even other parents or family members, leaving our parents feeling dejected and isolated. Working with Verbal Behaviour Consultants can help open up the lines of communication between the child and their parents, enabling them to verbalise clearly their thoughts, needs and wants without having to resort to extreme behaviour that could be deemed as inappropriate. But it’s not just a matter of teaching the child – the process involves the parents as well. Understanding how to communicate in such a way that the child both understands and can respond in a positive way to instructions or information is as important as ensuring that the child has the verbal capacity to convey their own thoughts and feelings without resorting to extreme behaviour. For our learners who are yet to acquire such language skills, we have programmes for non vocal behaviour modification.

At VBC, we have an in depth knowledge of ADHD, its effects on both the sufferer and the family. Using a system of one to one therapy, support networks of families who are undergoing the same issues and the very latest in psychological techniques, we use Verbal Behaviour to help all children and young adults come to terms with their condition and to achieve a level of progress that could be expected in children of their own age with typical developmental abilities. If you would like to know more, contact us in confidence for a friendly and informal chat to discuss your needs.