Evan, five years old, hardly stands, much less sits, still for more than a few moments. Jessie is eight — she’s adorable…she never finishes anything on time…she’s a dreamer. Cal is fifteen — he is so impulsive that his parents worry he’ll try drugs on a whim.
What do these kids have in common? Do they remind you of your own children?
The most talked-about childhood syndrome of the eighties and nineties is ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). This developmental disorder disrupts a child’s life and often results in low self-esteem, poor grades and even social and emotional problems. These problems usually are not outgrown — without help. But does your child have ADHD?
ADHD is characterized by the following groups of behaviors:
Inattention
— making careless mistakes
— difficulty sustaining attention
— problems with listening
— failure to finish schoolwork or chores
— difficulties organizing
— trouble sustaining mental efforts
— losing things
— being easily distracted
— forgetfulness
Hyperactivity/Impulsivity
— fidgeting/squirming
— trouble staying seated
— inappropriate running/climbing
— difficulty playing quietly
— being on the go/driven
— talking excessively
— blurting out answers
— difficulty awaiting turn
— often interrupting
All children display many of these behaviors at some point. But-according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, Fourth Edition, for a child to be diagnosed with ADHD, six or more of these symptoms of inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity must have persisted for at least six months.
Is Your Child Hyperactive? Inattentive? Impulsive? Distractible? offers an invaluable step-by-step program already used by thousands of parents to help you change these behaviors at home. Don’t just watch it happen; help your child help himself.
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