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Dr Christopher Green in his book "Understanding ADHD", says that if ADHD is present in a child then there is a great likelyhood of what are called comorbid conditions to be present.
These are conditions that are more likely to exist if a child is ADHD.
The list of these comorbids include things like...
* learning disabilities
* tics
* Tourettes syndrome
*coordination problems
* Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
* Bipolar
depression
* conduct Disorder
*Oppositional Defiance Disorder
* anxiety
* sleep problems
* sensory intergration disorder
Understanding ADHD by Dr.Christopher Green is an excellent book for those setting out on the journey. it is easy to read and understand and covers pretty much all the areas on ADHD.
One of the more common comorbids is anxiety. Children who are ADHD are often anxious and this make perfect sense. If a child is struggling to hold it all together; remember all that needs to get done; pay attention ; sit still long enough to pay attention; get himself organised; complete all that is demanded in life on time and these are all the areas that ADHD children struggle on a daily basis, well then it stands to reason that a fair amount of stress and anxiety will be present.
Am I getting it all together ? is the ADHD question.
I know lots of children who are on the specrtrum of ADHD and including my own, they all have a level of anxiety.
The tricky think here is to help them to manage their anxiety so that itremains under control.
Keeping on top of things is a great place to start. Keeping organised at home; at school and with belongings, is another. Having a flexible, age approariate and child approariate routine is an excellent way to help and ADHD child have order in his life .
A healthy dash of wisdom and a good dollop of grace is what helps parent these wonderful children.
I have found that realistic expectations are first prize and just seem to level the playing field in our home. I do not expect my messy boys to be tidy but I do expect them to help tidy up.
I find the comorbid section of the book very helpful but also incredibly destresing at the same time. The traits of ADHD seem to pull and push the child in another direction all on their own and so to have added things like sesnory issues and the like just seem to add on top of.
The picture might not look pretty BUT if we are able to understand some of the specific things our children really find hard to manage or do, well surely we can then come along side them and lend a hand. We can give the right sort of help. Help and solutions that fit the problem. In my eperience there is great liberty in finding out what the problem is. The flip side of this is continually expecting the child to do something that his brain just seems to revolt against. Getting angry with a child who has sensory intergration issues because he will not put on his shoes as they ' feel funny' to him is a waste of time . More than that it is emotionally damaging. Understanding that the brain reads the feeling of things in a highly sensitive way and that a small bump feels like a giant lump - well that understanding throws different light on a problem. Information brings the best and right kind of help. it brings good and right kinds of parenting. So, I know it is scary to fnd out if any comorbids exsist with your child. Be bold and take that step. It will be the right thing to do.
Dr Christopher Green in his book "Understanding ADHD", says that if ADHD is present in a child then there is a great likelyhood of what are called comorbid conditions to be present.
These are conditions that are more likely to exist if a child is ADHD.
The list of these comorbids include things like...
* learning disabilities
* tics
* Tourettes syndrome
*coordination problems
* Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
* Bipolar
depression
* conduct Disorder
*Oppositional Defiance Disorder
* anxiety
* sleep problems
* sensory intergration disorder
Understanding ADHD by Dr.Christopher Green is an excellent book for those setting out on the journey. it is easy to read and understand and covers pretty much all the areas on ADHD.
One of the more common comorbids is anxiety. Children who are ADHD are often anxious and this make perfect sense. If a child is struggling to hold it all together; remember all that needs to get done; pay attention ; sit still long enough to pay attention; get himself organised; complete all that is demanded in life on time and these are all the areas that ADHD children struggle on a daily basis, well then it stands to reason that a fair amount of stress and anxiety will be present.
Am I getting it all together ? is the ADHD question.
I know lots of children who are on the specrtrum of ADHD and including my own, they all have a level of anxiety.
The tricky think here is to help them to manage their anxiety so that itremains under control.
Keeping on top of things is a great place to start. Keeping organised at home; at school and with belongings, is another. Having a flexible, age approariate and child approariate routine is an excellent way to help and ADHD child have order in his life .
A healthy dash of wisdom and a good dollop of grace is what helps parent these wonderful children.
I have found that realistic expectations are first prize and just seem to level the playing field in our home. I do not expect my messy boys to be tidy but I do expect them to help tidy up.
I find the comorbid section of the book very helpful but also incredibly destresing at the same time. The traits of ADHD seem to pull and push the child in another direction all on their own and so to have added things like sesnory issues and the like just seem to add on top of.
The picture might not look pretty BUT if we are able to understand some of the specific things our children really find hard to manage or do, well surely we can then come along side them and lend a hand. We can give the right sort of help. Help and solutions that fit the problem. In my eperience there is great liberty in finding out what the problem is. The flip side of this is continually expecting the child to do something that his brain just seems to revolt against. Getting angry with a child who has sensory intergration issues because he will not put on his shoes as they ' feel funny' to him is a waste of time . More than that it is emotionally damaging. Understanding that the brain reads the feeling of things in a highly sensitive way and that a small bump feels like a giant lump - well that understanding throws different light on a problem. Information brings the best and right kind of help. it brings good and right kinds of parenting. So, I know it is scary to fnd out if any comorbids exsist with your child. Be bold and take that step. It will be the right thing to do.
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