Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder - Essay Example

Running head:  Understand Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Insert         Insert Grade Insert 27 January 2012  Understand Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Introduction Attention Deficient Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder related to the mental health, which is prevalent among children. According to Mayo Clinic (2011), ADHD affects millions of children and its symptoms include hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and difficulties in sustaining attention. In addition, ADHD is noticeable as early as the age of 3 -7 years; in the United Kingdom, it affects one child in 25 boys and one in 100 girls (Bupa Health Information, 2011). Such children often struggle to fit in the social life, and as a result, they suffer from low self-esteem, perform poorly at school, and have difficulties maintaining relationships. Apparently, ADHD cases are being regulated, since awareness has been created over the years; as a result, the condition is becoming acceptable in the society. This research paper will focus on understanding children with ADHD and the impact ADHD has on a child’s social, family, and school life. In addition, the special attention related to ADHD process will be analyzed. ADHD impact on the Family Life, School Life, and the Childs Social Life Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can affect all dimensions of a child’s life, as well as his parents, siblings, and friends. According to Harpin (2005), this disorder becomes more prominent at different staged in their lives; in some cases, ADHD can persist even in adulthood, and as a result, disrupting their personal and professional lives. According to Carey (1999, p.666), the environment surroundings such as school, family, and society influence the ADHD symptoms in a child. Schools According to Lee, et al. (2010, p.8), “ADHD is persistent, prevalent, heterogeneous and heritable neurodevelopment disorder which affects 3-10% of school aged children.” These children also pose the risk of low education attainment, mainly as a result of poor concentration in school; according to Worcester (1999, p.53), ADHD patients are likely to have problems socializing in school. These children display problems in movement, hence requiring longer time to accomplish a task, and as a result, school life may be challenging for them. At school, teachers may find it hard to control ADHD students, since they may not be in a position to adhere to the rules of the institution. In addition, ADHD children are bound to fail academically despite the teachers’ effort to assist them; this is influenced by low self-esteem and rejection from their peers (Harpins, 2005). Therefore, teachers should be trained by professional psychologists on how to deal with psychiatric disorders in children. In addition, parents with ADHD children should inform the teachers about a child’s condition beforehand. This will enable a teacher to offer additional assistance to the child, for instance, in reading, mathematics, spelling, and speech therapy among others (Bupa health information, 2011). Families ADHD in children affects their families as well, especially parents; this is due to the uniqueness of the child’s behavior, which differs from that of normal children. As a result, parents may be in a dilemma on how to deal with the situation. Needless to say, ADHD is usually an added cost to the family due to healthcare expenses. In addition, parents of ADHD children may get frustrated when other family members refuse to care for the child. Moreover, their ADHD child may be stigmatized, which is evident when peers do not invite them for parties or play (Harpins, 2005). ADHD children have poor sleep behavior, and as a result, parents’ rest is affected, leaving little time for themselves. Family relationships are affected by this financially and socially strenuous task (Harpins, 2005). In addition, siblings of children with ADHD suffer from emotional disorders due to unwilling care taking and victimization from their ADHD siblings. Family members can attend to classes and support groups where individuals with similar experience can share their knowledge and experience. DeMarle, Denk & Ernsthausen (2003 p308) emphasize that, professionals should practice open communication when dealing with parents of an ADHD child. This process assists them to ease their anxiety; a follow up on the progress should be made as well. Social life ADHD children’s social life is affected as well. In school, other children may not want to be associated with the children suffering from ADHD, leaving them out from games and other social activities. In addition, the child suffers emotionally from stigmatization, and as a result, he develops low self–esteem and refuses to engage in any social activities for fear of unacceptability. Often, children with ADHD victimize their siblings or peers (Harpins, 2005), and as a result, no one wants to be around them due to fear of aggression. Families also find it difficult to organize family outings due to the hyperactive and boisterous behavior that arise from the ADHD children, which may be embarrassing for the family in public. Impact of Special Attention Related to ADHD ADHD children require special attention throughout; they take most of parents’ time, leaving the other siblings emotionally distressed. Siblings of ADHD children are expected to care for them; however, they do not receive this kind of attention from their parents (Harpin, 2005). These siblings may feel left out or unloved, as all the attention is diverted to their ADHD siblings. Moreover, ADHD children consume most of their parent’s time, for instance, these children do no sleep consistently, and as a result, the parents hardly get time to rest or attend to other siblings (Harpin, 2005). As a result, this could lead to marital problems and broken family relationships. Difficulties in family relationships are as a result of the added stress that the families experience (ADHD library, 2004). In schools, a teacher dealing with ADHD students has to give them extra attention and assistance in order to meet the needs of these children. Nevertheless, it is important for these children to have reasonable special care in order for them to excel in the future. Neglecting a child with ADHD will only contribute to his failure, due to low self-esteem. Conclusion Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder is common among children; however, it has become acceptable in the society through awareness. An ADHD child requires special attention at home and in school, but families with ADHD children experience hardships while raising their children. The family has to accept the added burden of caring for the child, which involves both financial and emotional support. Siblings of ADHD children suffer emotionally due to lack of attention, and as a result, they may refuse to take care of the ADHD siblings. Needless to say, the ADHD children’s social lives are affected, since their peers decline associating with them and do not invite them for social events such as parties. Therefore, a balance must be created between caring for ADHD children and other family members in order to improve on family relationships. In schools, teachers should be trained on how to deal and understand ADHD children, and as a result, they will administer the required assistant to assist them excel. References ADHD library. (2004). Adjustment and Social Competence in Children with ADHD Siblings. Retrieved from http://www.adhdlibrary.org/library/adjustment-and-social-competence-in-children-with-adhd-siblings/ Bupa health information. (2011). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children. United Kingdom. Retrieved from http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/a/attention-deficit Carey, W. (1999). Problems in Diagnosing Attention and Activity. Pediatrics 103; 664. Retrieved from http://www.pediatricsdigest.mobi/content/103/3/664.full.pdf+html DeMarle, D., Denk, L., & Ernsthausen, C. (2003). Working with the family of a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Pediatric Nursing 29(4). Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=9&hid=104&sid=1f52a075-cf76-4a51-9bcb-88a9ed3ba482%40sessionmgr104. Lee, C. et al. (2010).The pursuit flexibility of children with attention-deficit/ hyperactive disorder. Medical & health science journal, vol 4. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&hid=104&sid=1f52a075-cf76-4a51-9bcb-88a9ed3ba482%40sessionmgr104 Harpin, V. (2005). The effect of ADHD on the life of an individual, their family, and community from preschool to adult life. Arch Dis Child, 90(1). Retrieved from http://adc.bmj.com/content/90/suppl_1/i2.full Mayo Clinic. (2011). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/adhd/DS00275/DSECTION=symptoms Worcester, S. (1999). Eight principles to remember in managing ADHD. Family practice news, 29(20). (Attached document). Read More