Counselling And Hypnotherapy: The ADHD Checklist

ADHD Checklist Information

These days, very often when children exhibit symptoms of being children, they are diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and put on prescription drugs. This is a new phenomenon that is a symptom of a world built around the idea that, no matter how you are, there is something wrong with you that can be fixed by purchasing and consuming a product. While there are actually children who have ADHD, they are not anywhere near as numerous as current popular wisdom would have us believe. Here are some symptoms described as being true ADHD when exhibited in the extreme.

Your Child Is Forgetful & Has A Short Attention Span

A child who is diagnosed with ADHD will exhibit extreme inattention in school. His or her behavior will be disruptive and flighty. He or she will not be able to pay attention, even to preferred activities for more than a few moments at a time. He or she will exhibit severe inattention when being spoken to or given directions and will consistently fail to follow through on tasks, homework and chores. (Normal Childhood Behavior)

If your child is sometimes distracted and forgetful, this is not regarded as ADHD. This is being a child. If your child's level of distraction and forgetfulness is extremely high, you might then be face with a diagnosis of ADHD; however, before suspecting any kind of problem, you should check a child development chart to see if you child's behavior is age appropriate.

Your Child Exhibits Hyperactive Behaviors
If your child squirms incessantly, fidgets and jiggles constantly, jumps up and runs around without warning at inappropriate times, makes lots of noise performing normally quiet activities, talks incessantly about nothing in particular, your child may be targeted by school social workers as having ADHD.

On the other hand, your child may be highly intelligent, bored and in need of greater and more interesting stimulation. He or she may need more exercise and time outdoors to run and play. Before entertaining a diagnosis of ADHD, try introducing more interesting and creative forms of stimuli to your child (art, music, and other creative play). Be sure your child gets plenty of vigorous exercise combined with structure and discipline. Swimming, dance and sports are good, energy burning activities. the current education system do not provide these activities normally.

Your Child Exhibits Impulsive Behaviors

If your child answers impatiently before you have finished asking questions, doesn't like to wait in line or wait to be served, always has something to say during conversations and doesn't let others finish talking or participating in an activity, he or she most definatly will be labelled with ADHD .

On the other hand, he or she may be extremely intelligent and inquisitive, rather bossy, and/or even a bit spoiled. Before entertaining a diagnosis of ADHD and putting your child on drugs to eliminate these behaviors, try addressing them directly with role playing games in which you reward correct listening and turn-taking behavior with praise or a points system that allows your child to earn special privileges. Avoid food or small-toys as rewards since this can cause dietary upset and/or a sense of acquisitiveness that interferes with the goal of calming behavior.

Let Your Child Be a Child (not a patient) & You Be a Parent

Always monitor your child's eating, resting and play habits to ensure a balance. Severely reduce sugar intake and make sure your child eats a wholesome diet of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, lean meats and other protein, and pure fresh water. Limit fruit juice intake and severely restrict soft drink, candy and commercial cakes to only special occasions.

Make sure your child gets lots of active, natural playtime and plenty of good sleep. If, after several months of close attention to diet, rest and exercise, your child continues to exhibit behavior that is truly disruptive and/or dangerous, a diagnosis of ADHD may be diagnosed, but don't act too quickly. Medicating your child unnecessarily could have a severe, negative effect on the development of his or her personality and ability to fully realize his or her potential. It may also cause nothing short of a disaster in the family.