The Brighter Side of a Child with ADHD

The Brighter Side of a Child with ADHD

You have probably known and observed children who have difficulty paying attention. They may be over talkative, easily distracted and causing distractions to others, moving from one activity to another, or behave in troublesome ways that annoy other people and may also cause care takers, peers to respond in anger and impatience.  Children with serious difficulties involving such behaviors may have Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity disorder. Sometimes you would hear comments like, “You can’t expect good things from this child,” “this child don’t have a future,” “My child is a headache to me,” and many more.

Basically, ADHD has two parts: the inattention side and the hyperactive-impulsive part. Children meet the criteria for inattention if they show a set of behaviors such as carelessness with their work, forgetfulness in their daily activities, and other attention related problems. The hyperactive-impulsive part is divided into hyperactivity and impulsivity. Hyperactivity can be characterized by difficulty in playing quietly, restlessness, fidgeting and talking excessively. Impulsivity is seen in children who cannot wait for their own turn, interrupt or intrude others and becoming impatient.

The Attentive-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is usually recognized as early as before a child reach seven. It is also estimated that prior to school age, children with ADHD are usually regarded as “difficult” by their parents, relatives, and friends, who are responding to the child’s hyperactivity and impulsivity. Because of inability to focus on his/her schoolwork, disruptive and erratic behavior in the classroom, children with ADHD will possibly earn low grades, can be suspended and expelled unless provided with a special class with tutors.

Children diagnosed with ADHD can be a big problem to parents and if not properly handled, it may cause more damage to a child’s future. Parents may have many worries with their child with this kind of disorder such as “How will other people react to my child?”, “Can my child make it to school?” “Will my child succeed in school or can he achieved a rewarding career?”

While it is important to recognize the challenges that a child with ADHD may face, it is also important that parents should be reminded that children are gifts from God. We should not forget what the psalmist said, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”(Ps 139:13). The being of a child is a whole part of God’s wisdom and creation. We have to recognize the greater purpose of God in all His creation. Jeremiah 29:11 also tells us that God can give your child a hope and a future. Looking at a positive perspective (God’s perspective), your worries to your child with ADHD will banish.

There are famous people who thought to have ADHD but have been noted in their successful life. They were achievers and pioneers. You’re may be familiar with the names listed below:

• Sir Winston Churchill
• Charles Darwin
• Thomas A. Edison
• Albert Einstein
• Henry Ford
• Sir Isaac Newton
• Walt Disney
• Abraham Lincoln

Help discover the brighter side of your ADHD child

Children with ADHD should not be taken for granted or be underestimated in their capacity to achieve in life.  Help the child’s positive attributes to be nurtured and fully develop. You can help your child with ADHD learn to direct energies in positive ways. Remember that ADHD is just one part of who your child is. Instead of focusing on the challenges that your child may face, look at your child’s many strengths and turn help turn it into his/her advantage. You may get help from ADHD specialists so that your child will effectively learn to harness his talents and build self-esteem.

Learn more visit www.hinesfamilycounseling.org