Understanding ADHD in Children With Waystone Psychology

ADHD is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in children. It is typically first diagnosed in childhood and may persist into maturity. Children with ADHD may struggle to focus, manage impulsive behaviours that cause them to act without considering the consequences, or control their level of activity. It is typical for kids to occasionally struggle with their attention spans and manners. However, these behaviours are not outgrown in children with ADHD. The symptoms persist, can be severe, and can make it difficult to interact with friends and family.

A child with ADHD might daydream a lot, forget or lose things a lot, squirm or fidget, talk too much, make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks, have a hard time resisting temptation, have trouble taking turns or have difficulty getting along with others. Depending on which types of symptoms are strongest, an individual may struggle with predominantly inattentive presentation, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation, or combined presentation.

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Our experience enables us to offer clients a straightforward process to recovery. Having said that, you can rest assured that we do not use a cookie-cutter approach but rather treat each client with the individualized care and attention that you deserve.

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Behavioural Therapy For Children With ADHD

EAssessing whether a child has ADHD is a multi-step process. The symptoms of many other conditions, including anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and specific types of learning difficulties, might be similar to those of ADHD, which cannot be diagnosed with a single test. A checklist for grading ADHD symptoms and obtaining a medical history from the kid’s parents, teachers, and occasionally the child themselves are typically used in the diagnosis of ADHD.

While counselling and medication can be used in ADHD treatment. The recommended first-line approach for pre-schoolers and younger kids includes behavioural techniques in the form of behavioural therapy, parent management training and school intervention. Close monitoring, follow-ups, and making changes as needed along the way. These are all components of effective ADHD treatment strategies.

Waystone: Caring Psychologists With a Unique Vision for Success

Whether or not your child has ADHD, the signs of inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity can be problematic if left untreated. Making friends can be challenging for students who struggle with attention, self-control, or who frequently cause trouble at school. These irritations may later result in low self-esteem and hostility within the family. Treatment has the potential to significantly alter your child’s symptoms. Your child can get on the path to success in all areas of life with the correct help. Get in touch with us at Waystone Psychology right away to book a consultation if you’re interested in learning more about ADD and ADHD therapy in Ottawa.

At Waystone Psychology, our role as psychologists is to work together with the client to develop coping strategies and provide support. We help our clients develop new ways of adapting to life’s challenges in order to promote healthy functioning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is ADHD?

ADHD, or Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common learning disorders affecting children as well as adults. People with ADHD will have higher than normal activity levels, difficult remaining still for long periods of time, and limited attention spans. While these symptoms are common in children in general, in children with ADHD these issues are much greater than is common for their age and can cause issues with social, educational, and family functioning.

What causes ADHD?

Many different studies discuss whether or not ADHD has additional causes aside from family genetics. ADHD tends to run in families but there are also other possible risk factors including brain injury or exposure to alcohol or drugs during pregnancy.

How do I know if I have ADHD?

Many individuals who have ADHD have trouble with impulse control, paying attention, hyperactivity, or restlessness. Some other common symptoms include disorganization, forgetfulness, or poor time management.

Although you may relate to these symptoms, the first step regarding ADHD diagnosis is to reach out to a healthcare professional. At Waystone Psychology we have a team of experienced psychologists and cognitive behavioural therapists who can get you the answers and help you need.

What is the difference between ADD and ADHD?

ADD (attention deficit disorder) and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) mean the same things. ADD is just an outdated term without the “H” for hyperactivity. An individual might not have hyperactive behaviours but the diagnosis will still be ADHD.

How to focus with ADHD?

Focusing with ADHD can be a difficult task for many people. There are a variety of different techniques that may or may not work depending on the individual. Some of these techniques can include:

  • Only keeping tasks that need to be accomplished in front of you and leaving distractions out of your line of sight
  • Making to-do lists and holding yourself accountable
  • Practicing goal setting and creating deadlines
  • Geting regular exercise to tire yourself out
  • Finding time during the day to unwind

Picking up on these techniques can be difficult, that’s why it’s extremely common to reach out to healthcare professionals like those at Waystone Psychology to further help your ADHD journey. Contact us today to learn more or book an appointment.

What is stimming ADHD?

Stimming is a common term that refers to self-stimulatory behaviour. Self-stimulatory behaviour with ADHD can look like repeated specific movements. Some examples can be hand or finger movements, rocking your body back and forth, or fidgeting with objects.

What can worsen ADHD symptoms?

ADHD symptoms can often worsen (or improve) depending on the lifestyle habits you have. Lack of sleep, eating too much junk food, skipping breakfast, lack of exercise, or living in a messy or cluttered space can all impact your ADHD symptoms negatively.

What are ADHD treatment options in children?

ADHD treatment options in children typically include a combination of medication, behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes. Here are some of the most common ADHD treatment options for children:

Medication is often the first line of treatment for ADHD. Stimulant medications are often prescribed to help manage the symptoms of ADHD.

Behavioral therapy is a type of treatment that focuses on changing specific behaviors in a child. Children with ADHD can benefit from behavioral treatment by learning new skills and coping mechanisms to manage their symptoms. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) has been proven to be successful in treating ADHD.

Parent education and training can assist parents in developing coping mechanisms for their child’s ADHD symptoms. This can involve things like establishing a routine at home, scheduling schoolwork, and utilizing positive reinforcement to reward appropriate behavior.

For students with ADHD, school interventions like extra tutoring, counseling, or behavior plans may be provided. These treatments can improve a child’s academic performance and symptom management in ADHD patients.

Children with ADHD can better manage their symptoms by making lifestyle adjustments including exercising frequently, eating well, and getting enough sleep. Additionally, parents can assist their children in better managing their symptoms by establishing a calm and structured environment at home.

At Warmstone Psychology., we work with you to create an individualized ADHD treatment plan that meets your children’s specific needs.

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