Attention disorder manifests itself around the age of two years on average in children. Detecting the attention disorder will make it possible to set up a tailor-made support.
attention disorder
We talk about “Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity” (ADHD). It is a neurodevelopmental disorder that manifests itself in different ways: inability to maintain attention, to finish a task, frequent forgetfulness, distracted behavior, refusal to accept tasks that require some attention. These children are scattered, have trouble concentrating. These disorders will appear from the age of two years. The earlier they are detected, the more effective the treatment will be.
The attention disorder does not generate direct suffering for the child, he suffers functional repercussions, he will isolate himself, lose self-esteem.
Signs of neurodevelopmental disorder
Some attention disorders are accompanied by hyperactivity. Motor hyperactivity is manifested by incessant agitation, an inability to stay in place, to remain concentrated for more than five minutes on an activity. Pauline Monteil, neuropsychologist, quickly identifies these disorders:
These children with attention deficit disorder climb everywhere, don’t walk but run…
She specifies that it is often from the age of 6 that the difference between these children and the average of other children is perceived. His job is to observe and collect the elements of behavior to establish a clinical diagnosis.
Hyperactivity is more common in little boys than in little girls. This explains a slight delay in diagnosis in young girls.
The triggering factors are multiple, heredity appears in 75% of cases, the impact of the environment also plays a lot, a lack of oxygen at birth.
What effects on the child?
Attention disorders have a real influence on the behavior of the child. He will tend to be impulsive, to not respect the rules, to constantly go out of the frame. These are children who often have very disturbed sleep, difficulty falling asleep and nocturnal awakenings. Seen from the outside, one can think that the child is badly brought up, because he does not respect the codes. But Pauline Monteil clarifies things:
Attention deficit disorder in children is not a problem of education.
These children often have relational difficulties with children and with adults. Their behavior generates a lot of conflict, a feeling of worthlessness.
We can identify adults who have an attention disorder by professional and sentimental instability, a greater number than the average of domestic accidents, traffic accidents, addictions. On the other hand, they have a great capacity for adaptation.
support for these children
Diagnosing attention deficit disorder takes time. It is then necessary to find the right support strategy through non-drug (psychological, educational, social) or drug management.
Parental guidance allows families to have a better understanding of the disorder. Putting a diagnosis on the disorder also helps parents to feel guilty. We will have to rebuild the self-confidence of these children and improve the quality of life of the families.