Question

Describe some of the symptoms children with attentional problems exhibit? How can these symptoms be treated to effectively help the child cope better and improve their learning? What advice would you give to parents who do not want to medicate their child ( hint think of alternative therapies and treatments).

IN 350-400 WORDS

Answer 1

Answer- It seems normal to some extent when a child is lost in day dreaming during a class, forgets his homework, acts without thinking or does not pay attention on others. But an increasing rate of inattention may be the symptoms of ADHD which may cause problems for a child at school as well as at home. The children who can't sit still, never follow instructions and do not pay to attention to anything may have Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD or Attention deficit disorder ADD. The signs and symptoms of attention problems exhibits after the age of seven, however, it is very difficult to distinguish between a normal child and a child with attention deficit disorder. The symptoms of children with increasing attention problems can be described with the help of the following points-

• Children with ADD have problem in staying on track. They do not complete a task if they found it boring. Completing their classwork and homework is very difficult for them.
• Children with attentional problems find it difficult to stay focused if there are disturbing elements around them. They always require peaceful and quiet sorroundings to stay focused on a certain task.
• They generally do not listen attentively what others are saying to them and are lost in their own imaginary world.
• These children have problems in remembering and recalling things. They do not pay attention or follow instructions and make silly mistakes.
• They can not stay organized and frequently misplace their belongings like books, toys and other items.

There are many strategies which can be applied to treat the child with attentional problems. Generally, a teacher is the first one who recognizes the children with ADD. So, there should be a mutual efforts of teachers, parents and professionals to improve a child's learning skills. Several methods which can be followed are-

• Its very important for a child to understand the value of attention and identify their strengths. A teacher should always teach attention management strategies to her students.
• A teacher should always keep the instructions simple and structured. Use of smart class, charts and other visual teaching aids make the learning process interesting. These techniques would be beneficial to improve their learning skills. Changing teaching strategies frequently is also a good option for them.
• Parents and teachers should provide these children some time to move around. A child with the problem of alertness would feel mentally energetic after getting breaks after some time.
• It is very important ot know the areas of interest of the child having attentional issues. He should be encouraged to do creative things in which he is interested. While doing a task, the student should not be distracted by his environment.
• Medication is also helpful in dealing with attentional problems. A child is able to improve mental alertness and concentration with the help of medication. Medicines also reduce the level of hyperactivity and impulsivity. This is also a good option for a child with attention deficit disorder.

There are some parents who do not want to medicate their child. They can consult a psychiatrist for behavioural treatment of their child with the help of behavioural therapies. This helps a child to behave in socially appropriate manners. Positive reinforcement would also be helpful to reduce the attention problems. Behaviour modification and self assessment strategies are also very helpful. The children should also refrain from rushing throughout their tasks or homework. By following these strategies, a child can cope better and improve their learning.