Nephew With ADHD
by Lisa Medoff
Dear Readers,
Melissa posted a question about her 10-year-old nephew, whom she has been raising for five years. Her nephew has been diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and takes medication to help him get through the day. Melissa feels that she does not have the patience with her nephew that she had when her own grown children were young. She wants to him to do well, but feels very stressed because she and her family find it difficult to be positive with him.
For children with ADHD, images and sounds whirl constantly in their heads, making it very difficult to concentrate on any one task. Think about how hard it would be for you to get work done if colored lights flashed in front of you, music blasted, and your chair jerked around. Children with ADHD have a lot of trouble sitting still, planning ahead, and concentrating for long periods of time. They also have difficulty controlling impulsive behavior, which means that they often act first and think later.
Dealing with children with ADHD can be aggravating for parents and caregivers. However, it is important to realize that your reaction to the child can have a big impact on his future behavior. Adults often treat children with attention problems with frustration and anger, instead of helping them learn how to control attention and impulses. These interactions set up a pattern that can lead to a downward spiral and unhappiness for everyone involved.
Here are some ideas for Melissa and other caregivers of children with ADHD:
-
1
- 2
