Hyperactivity in infants and children under one year: symptoms and manifestations. Hyperactive child - signs of hyperactivity in children and what parents should do

These children stand out from their peers with unstoppable energy. Being constantly on the move, they involve others in their noisy fun. In the classroom, they are inattentive, often distracted, talking. Tasks are performed reluctantly and poorly. They do not react at all to comments or are offended. The team is in conflict.

What is it - the result of poor education or deviations in the psyche of the child? Often, even experts find it difficult to answer this question. It is possible that the child has a disease based on minimal brain dysfunction - a violation of the functional activity of individual subcortical structures and sections of the cerebral cortex. The so-called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which in medical practice is abbreviated as ADHD.
Scale of the problem

Scientists and specialists from many countries have been studying hyperactivity for a long time. However, the world community sounded the alarm when the accumulated data of scientific research showed its scope and social significance.

Statistics show that ADHD among school-age children is ubiquitous. The percentage ratio of the number of hyperactive children to their total number in different countries differs significantly, however, is in the range of 1-18% in the population. The scatter of data is due to the lack of uniform criteria for diagnosing the disease.

Of great concern is the fact that children with ADHD (almost one in ten children) are at risk. Such children, poorly adapting in the team, and then in society, in adulthood may have problems with the law. According to research scientists, up to 80% of criminals suffer from this disease.

The issue of the incidence of ADHD in Russia began to be studied much later than abroad. However, at first, the studies were not systemic in nature. Recently, the situation has changed for the better, as evidenced by the annually increasing number of publications. Despite this, among the general population and even among teachers, pediatricians, there is an ignorance of issues related to this disease. As a result, 70-90% of Russian children with ADHD are left without any treatment. Having constant troubles at school, not finding understanding at home and not getting the parental love they need, such children often seek support in street campaigns. The consequences in most cases are dire.

Causes of the disease

The clinical picture of ADHD is characterized by a wide variety of behavioral disorders, difficulties in perception and social adaptation. This suggests that the disease syndrome can be caused by many different factors.

There are several possible causes of the disease:

1. Biological (hereditary predisposition, complications during pregnancy, birth trauma).

2. Genetic (congenital abnormalities of some brain systems).

3. Social (the nature and inclinations of the parents, the conditions of education in the family and school, the financial situation of the family).

According to many scientists, the presence of other factors (ecology, food colors and preservatives, refined foods, deficiency of vitamins and minerals) can also be the cause of the disease.

Signs of hyperactivity

Among the many signs of this disease, 3 main groups can be named:

1. Lack of active attention: the child is inattentive, often makes mistakes; Easily distracted during class not organized, loses and forgets personal belongings; does not like tasks that require concentration and mental stress.

2. Motor activity: the child is constantly on the move, often without a specific goal, fussing; cannot sit still, constantly moves something, fiddles with his hands, moves his legs under the table; little and bad sleep; very talkative, even with strangers.

3. Impulsiveness: the child answers without listening to the question completely; poorly controls their actions, does not recognize established rules; often conflicts with other children, but quickly forgets insults, shows aggressiveness;

In addition to the listed main features, children with the syndrome often have capriciousness, irritability, excessive talkativeness, immunity to prohibitions and comments, selfishness, a pronounced desire for leadership, a tendency to communicate with younger people, left-handedness (left-handed child). Approximately half of children with the syndrome have tension headaches.

Depending on the combination of the listed signs, several forms of the disease are distinguished: a syndrome with a predominance of attention deficit; with a predominance of hyperactivity and impulsivity; mixed form.

According to the severity of the symptoms of the disease, ADHD has 3 forms: mild, moderate and severe.

The dynamics of the development of the disease

The first signs of the disease are noticeable even in infancy: the child sleeps little and poorly, is very mobile, overreacts to stimuli - light, sound, has a constantly increased or decreased muscle tone.

By the age of 3-4, it becomes noticeable that the child cannot concentrate, play independently. He is curious, but he is not interested in the essence.

The most pronounced signs of the disease appear in the senior preschool and primary school age, from 5 to 10 years. This is due to the development of the central nervous system during this period.

The second peak of the manifestation of signs of the disease is observed at 12-14 years. It occurs during the child's puberty.

After 14 years, in most cases, the symptoms of the disease practically disappear. There is a compensation for the missing functions of the brain. However, secondary acquired characteristics often remain and form the type of "difficult teenager".

The age dynamics of the development of the disease in boys and girls is somewhat different.
Diagnosis and treatment of hyperactivity

Even if a child has many of the characteristic signs of ADHD, only a neuropsychiatrist can make a correct diagnosis. This will require additional examinations and consultations with parents, a pediatrician, a teacher, a psychologist, possibly a neuropathologist and a psychiatrist. The difficulty of diagnosing ADHD is explained by the absence of any pathological changes in the brain in the patient, which could be detected by hardware during a medical examination. In addition, the matter is complicated by the presence in patients with the syndrome of a large number of symptoms similar to those of other neuropsychiatric diseases or borderline mental states.

A complete examination of the child can take several years and requires a lot of patience and perseverance from the parents.

In the United States and Western European countries, children with the syndrome are treated mainly with medication. Psychotropic drugs are effective and easy to use. However, along with positive qualities, they also have negative ones: by suppressing the signs of ADHD, the disease itself is not treated; the positive effect of treatment is short-lived, i.e. after the end of the course of taking the drug, signs of hyperactivity appear again and treatment can last for years; there is an effect of addiction to the drug, which requires a gradual increase in its dosage; there are side effects in the form of headaches, loss of appetite, insomnia, irritability.

In Russia, the main emphasis is on behavioral movement therapy with or without drug support. The question of the use of drugs is decided by the attending physician in each case separately.

The goal of ADHD treatment is to restore or compensate for impaired functional connections of the child's central nervous system and to adapt it in the team and society.

Treatment should be comprehensive and generally include:

parental counseling;

Pedagogical and socio-pedagogical work with the child;

Motor activities with a child;

Psychological therapy;

Medical support.

According to scientists, the most favorable age for treatment is 5-8 years. If the syndrome is not treated, then its symptoms can manifest themselves in adulthood. At the same time, secondary, sociogenic ones are added to the primary signs of the disease due to the constant lag in studies and conflicts with others.

At the first suspicion that a child has ADHD, you should contact a neuropsychiatrist or psychologist for advice. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are the key to an optimistic prognosis of the disease.

Due to the slow development of some brain functions and the development of compensatory mechanisms of the central nervous system, it is not recommended to send a child with hyperactivity to kindergarten or school early.

Overworking the child should be avoided, whether it is classes, watching TV or sitting at the computer. The duration of classes at an early age should not exceed 10-15 minutes and alternate with a break of 5-7 minutes.

You need to praise the child if he deserves it. Hyperactive children are immune to prohibitions and reprimands, but very sensitive to praise.

It is necessary to abandon physical punishment, using exclusively modern methods of raising children, based on democratic principles. Mutual communication with a child should be based on trust, not fear.

Parental love for a child should not be suppressed. He must feel that, despite poor successes or bad behavior, he is loved.

To develop a correct model of behavior in a child, it is necessary to give him an example of a healthy lifestyle and the right actions.

It is necessary to direct the motor activity of the child in the right direction: he is shown active games in the fresh air, classes in motor sports.

It is necessary to support and encourage the child in the manifestation of his inclinations. It boosts his self-esteem.

Foods with food colorings and preservatives, refined foods should be excluded from the child's diet. It is necessary to give preference to natural products, fresh vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins.
Conclusion

A hyperactive child is not just individual cases of children's illness, but a social problem that has state significance for society. The number of children with ADHD is alarmingly high and continues to grow. The vast majority of them do not receive any treatment and assistance. Left to themselves, deprived of parental love and understanding of others, children with the syndrome often find solace in the use of alcohol and drugs. They are called "problem child". It is necessary to change the attitude of parents, teachers, doctors to this non-childish problem. One of the most important tasks is to improve the methods of diagnosis, treatment and pedagogical work with sick children.

A hyperactive child needs to be treated. And treat correctly.
Recommended literature:
Bryazgunov I.P., Kasatikova E.V. A restless child or All about hyperactive children. 2nd ed., rev. and additional – M.: Psychotherapy, 2008. – 208 p.
Bolotovsky G.V., Chutko L.S., Popova I.V. hyperactive child. St. Petersburg: NPK Omega. - 2010. - 160 p.

Hyperactive children are becoming more and more common in the modern world. What signs give out a hyperactive child, what parents should do, how to raise a hyperactive child, how ADHD is treated - these questions will be answered by a psychologist.

What is an ADHD diagnosis, or who are hyperactive children

If your child has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), don't panic. This does not mean that he will 100% have learning problems or difficulties in communicating with peers. It’s just that such children need to be given more attention so that the manifestations of hyperactivity are smoothed out. Early correction and treatment of ADHD will allow you to educate a mentally and physically developed personality.

ADHD is usually a consequence of hypoxia in the fetus during pregnancy or at the time of natural childbirthwhen the child's brain received less oxygen. A child with this syndrome is characterized by increased muscle tone, while he is very sensitive to sounds and light stimuli. Sleep in children with ADHD is restless, during periods of wakefulness they show excessive mobility and arousal.

These babies often start walking and talking earlier than their peers. At the same time, relatives rejoice at the abilities of the crumbs and believe in his special giftedness. But already from the age of three, parents begin to notice signs that cause concern. It becomes clear that the baby is unable to focus on any one activity. He may not listen to an interesting tale to the end or quit the game if he needs to concentrate.

Most of all, behavioral problems become noticeable at events that require organization (for example, holidays in kindergarten), a hyperactive child cannot stand in one place, he constantly spins and sways.

At school age, another feature is revealed that is very upsetting for the relatives of a hyperactive baby. The child cannot sit at a desk for a long time, concentrating on classes. He is constantly distracted by something, often gets up, walks, can interfere with classmates. Impulsive actions and overly active behavior are not the only problem at school. Already in the first grade, it turns out that the child is not easily given the assimilation of educational material. Difficulties may arise with counting, reading and writing. Parents are naturally very upset. Indeed, in the first years of life, their hyperactive baby developed so quickly that he seemed just a child prodigy. And now he does not stand out among his classmates or may even lag behind them.

The problems of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have long been dealt with by neuropathologists, child psychiatrists, psychologists and speech therapists.

What to do with a hyperactive child

The treatment of hyperactive children can be conditionally divided into: 1) medical assistance and 2) the conditions and efforts that parents must create for the child. Moreover, the role of parents is no less important for medical treatment, and in some cases it is decisive.

Treatment of hyperactive children

A neuropathologist prescribes medication and general strengthening physiotherapy to a hyperactive child, which are aimed at normalizing the work of the central nervous system.

Medical treatment for ADHD

For children diagnosed with ADHD, neuropathologists prescribe courses of medications that inhibit arousal and normalize the activity of the nervous system. First of all, the child needs B vitamins, which have a beneficial effect on the central nervous system, and nootropic drugs (for example, glycine or hopantenic acid, only a doctor can prescribe more serious drugs). Also, a specialist may recommend additional treatment - herbs with a calming effect. Usually it is fennel, lavender, motherwort, valerian, mint, St. John's wort. Remember that self-medication is unacceptable, especially when it comes to children. All these funds can be given to a child only with the permission of a doctor.

Non-drug treatment for ADHD

To help hyperactive children, not only medications are used. They are recommended massage procedures that help relieve increased muscle tone, as well as physiotherapy (electrophoresis with drugs to improve blood circulation in the brain). In addition, the biofeedback method (BFB) and therapeutic exercises are effective in the treatment of hyperactivity.

If possible, it is worth enrolling the child in the pool. Swimming has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and enables children to use up excessive activity. At home, you can carry out very useful water procedures: baths with salts and soothing herbs.

Another important point in the development of hyperactive children is remedial classes under the guidance of specialists - a speech therapist, a psychologist. The purpose of such classes is the development of speech, coordination of movements, fine motor skills, attention and memory, the ability to control one's behavior and restrain excitement.

What should parents of a hyperactive child do?

The next step in helping a child is to create comfortable conditions in the family. Naturally, all parents try to make their child as good as possible. But in this case, a special approach is important. It is necessary to properly organize the daily routine and nutrition, be attentive to family relationships, devote time to developing games and activities. Below are detailed recommendations for parents of a hyperactive child.

Schedule

Proper daily routine is very important for children with ADHD, as it helps them become more independent and organized. A great option is to compose it in writing and hang it in a conspicuous place in the children's room. If the baby has not yet learned to read, the routine can be indicated by pictures: getting up, exercising, having breakfast, etc. Of course, everything will not work out right away, but over time, the child will acquire the skills of self-organization, obedience, and accuracy that he needs very much. It is extremely important to develop in a child the ability to plan things and bring them to the end, to develop responsibility for all their actions.

To make it easier for the child, help him by making clues. Write or draw on pieces of paper the things you need to do during the day and hang them on the refrigerator. For example, sort out books, pack things for school, put away toys on a shelf, and many other simple tasks.

Walks in the open air

Fresh air strengthens the body, calms the nerves, and also helps hyperactive children get rid of excessive physical activity. Therefore, do not forget about the need for regular walks. When picking up a child from kindergarten or from school, do not rush home. Spend an hour and a half at the playground. This is a great opportunity for a child to get unloaded after a strict routine in an educational institution. Let him jump, run, ride on a swing. Just remember that kids with ADHD get overtired too quickly. If signs of fatigue become noticeable, sit on a bench and let the child calm down and have a good rest. And then slowly take a walk.

A very good effect on hyperactive children is exerted by activities related to motor load - roller skating, scootering, skiing, etc. Try to keep the baby busy with some interesting activity, come up with an exciting game, make a snowman in winter, throw snowballs, ride down a hill. On weekends, if possible, go out of town to be in nature. Clean air and a calm environment have a positive effect on the nervous system of hyperactive children. From such a useful and exciting leisure time, the child’s emotional background will improve, and it will be easier for him to focus on his studies, as well as complete the tasks that you give him.

Proper nutrition

Hyperactive guys most often have stomach problems. Why is this happening? The reason lies in the excessive tearfulness and anxiety of such children, their imbalance, frequent mood swings. That is, they are often under stress. And stress, as you know, in the most negative way affects digestion. This means that the diet and diet of these children require special attention. Make sure your child gets healthy meals regularly. It is necessary to teach him to eat at the same time, to exclude fast food, chips, sweet carbonated drinks from the diet. Vegetables and fruits, as well as preparations with bifidobacteria, will be very useful.

Hobbies and sports sections

The next step is to find an exciting hobby for the baby. Nowadays, there are many different sections and circles. The advantages of such leisure are obvious: by doing something interesting for him, the child learns to focus on one activity and sit still for 40 minutes. In addition, he gets used to communicating in a team where the discipline of behavior is constantly maintained. And this is very important for preparation for study.
So, a small child will be very interested in the lessons of modeling, appliqué, drawing. Such activities develop fine motor skills well, which in hyperactive children is very often not well formed.

Very useful and vigorous activity: aerobics, dancing, various sports. Thanks to such activities, the child will be able to splash out excess activity, as well as develop a sense of balance, coordination of movements, and strengthen various muscle groups.

Separately, it is worth talking about chess. This game contributes to the formation of children's abilities for abstract and logical thinking, it simultaneously involves two hemispheres of the brain, which contributes to its harmonious development. In the left hemisphere, the processes associated with the creation of successive chains are activated, while the right hemisphere models possible situations. Also, chess develops a child’s memory well, because both short-term and long-term memory are used during the game. Moreover, the child works with different types of information: digital, visual, color stimulus. Young chess players receive many valuable skills, such as the ability to predict the development of events, make important decisions, calculate different options, etc. Problems with concentration, memory, inability to organize oneself are characteristic of all hyperactive children. Therefore, it can be argued that the regular game of chess is one of the most effective methods in their education.

Playing sports in teams will also bring considerable benefits to children. We are talking, first of all, about such sports: football, basketball, volleyball, water polo, hockey. The children will be able to usefully spend their excess energy, learn to interact with their peers, following the rules of the team game, and control their actions. And with hyperactivity, this is very important.

But in no case should you overload the child. Do not give it to many circles at the same time. Hyperactive children should not be overworked, otherwise they will form a negative attitude towards all types of activities that are offered to them, including studying at school. Choose exactly the activity that attracts the child the most.

All relatives of the baby should clearly understand what ADHD is. Such children do not always manage to control their actions, they often cannot calm down in time. This should be treated not as a disadvantage, but as a feature. Therefore, all family members need to develop a single tactic of behavior and strictly adhere to it. The main rule is to avoid extremes when raising a child. On the one hand, you should not overprotect him, and on the other hand, you should not make excessive demands and treat the baby too strictly.

Remember that mood swings in parents and their different reactions to similar cases negatively affect the psyche of a child with ADHD. Therefore, the behavior of parents should be even and calm, the most appropriate tactic, according to psychologists, is “affectionate severity”. In no case do not get annoyed and stock up on great patience. It will come in handy, because usually any questions and requests when communicating with hyperactive children have to be repeated more than once.

Raising a child with ADHD is a difficult challenge for parents. To make it easier to cope with this difficult task, it is advisable to seek the help of a professional psychologist. A good specialist will carefully study the situation, analyze it and select a model of behavior that is suitable for your family, advise ways that will help you successfully cope with certain problems.

Remember that for a child, a positive assessment of his actions by loved ones is of great importance. Therefore, be sure to praise him for every achievement (however small). For example, the kid drew a picture or was able to solve a difficult problem. Say that you are proud of him, tell others how smart he is. And next time the child will try even harder.

But in no case should you shout at such a baby. By this you will not calm him down, but on the contrary, bring him to excessive overexcitation and loss of self-control. If the baby shows excessive activity, it is better to act with gentle methods. Hold him close to you, stroke his hair, take his hand and start calming him in a quiet voice, repeating the same words: “Hush, hush, don’t worry, don’t worry, tell me what happened.” Repetition has a calming effect on the child's psyche, and the child relaxes.

Great benefit will bring special courses of preparation for school. Classes usually begin at the age of four. The kid will learn to read, write, count, and it will be much easier for him to learn the material at school. Psychologists also advise music lessons, because they have a beneficial effect on the children's nervous system.

***
And finally, it is worth noting - communicate with the child as much as possible. Engage in conversations, read books, offer to invent interesting stories yourself. This is much more useful than watching TV or playing monotonous computer games. Pay attention to the child, listen to him, show care and participation. Remember that your irritability and lack of understanding can cause a child with ADHD a lot of stress.

Translated from Latin, the term "hyperactivity" means activity that exceeds the norm. This phenomenon is quite common in children. But, do not confuse children's restlessness with some kind of functional impairment. If a child becomes excessively inattentive, impulsive, restless, stubborn, then it is worth considering his condition as a disease. Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) not only cause trouble for themselves, but also for those around them.

It is possible to determine the presence of the disease with an experienced pediatrician. A child in such a special condition, caused by impaired brain activity, needs timely assistance. After all, its absence can lead to the formation of an asocial or even psychopathic personality.

Factors provoking the occurrence of hyperkinetic syndrome

The clinical picture is manifested in a violation of behavior, and social adaptation. Whatever the origin of hyperactivity in children, its treatment is possible and necessary to save the child from significant problems in school and work. This disease can be caused by various factors:

• biological, represented by hereditary predisposition, complications during pregnancy;
• genetic, represented by congenital abnormalities of some brain systems;
• social, represented by the nature and inclinations of the parents, the conditions of education in school and family, the financial situation of the family;
• ecological, represented by low-quality food products with dyes and preservatives in the composition, deficiency of minerals and vitamins.

The manifestation of hyperactivity in adults is associated with the presence of childhood ADHD symptoms that have not been eliminated. Many are not even aware of their adult hyperkinetics until they are faced with medical treatment for neurosis or depression.

Signs of ADHD can be confused with other diseases, for example, with. Up to a year, hyperactivity in children manifests itself in poor sleep, increased mobility, excessive reaction to light and sound stimuli, increased or decreased muscle tone.

Of the various symptoms of hyperactivity in children, the following can be distinguished:

• Active motor activity: the child fusses, is in constant motion (often without a specific goal), becomes restless, constantly jerks his arms and legs, his wordy speech is accompanied by swallowing words.
• Complete lack of attention: the child becomes inattentive, disorganized, often makes mistakes, is constantly distracted, forgets or loses his things.
• Excessive impulsivity: the child may experience aggression, conflict in relation to others, immunity to certain rules and prohibitions.
• Intestinal disorders, allergic attacks, headaches.

In adults, hyperactivity manifests itself in chronic lateness for work and business meetings. Such people are restless, disorganized, in constant tension. They often have mood swings, their self-esteem is low, and they cannot manage their anger. In addition, due to constant problems in the educational process and conflict situations with people around, the primary signs of the syndrome are supplemented by secondary ones that have a sociogenic nature.

How to treat hyperactivity in children

Even if a child has many of the characteristic signs of ADHD, only an experienced neuropsychiatrist can confirm the presence of the disease through a series of tests and observations. If hyperactivity is diagnosed early, the child's chances of recovery are significantly increased.

Treatment methods for ADHD are aimed at restoring impaired functions of the central nervous system and its adaptation in society. Treatment is multifactorial. It is represented by diet, non-drug and drug intervention.

Only a specialist can determine. Methods of parental influence on hyperactive children are different. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the patient. But, based on the specific psychology of such children, recommendations can be made that will facilitate the process of education.

Introduction.

1. Signs of hyperactivity in a child.

2. Causes of hyperactivity.

3. Ways to correct hyperactivity. Interaction of parents with hyperactive children.

Conclusion.

List of used literature.

Introduction

Relevance of the research topic. Hyperactivity disorder in children is a very common behavioral and emotional disorder in children. Hyperactivity syndrome is immediately noticeable against the background of others. The child does not sit still for a minute, is constantly on the move, never brings the matter to the end, quits and immediately takes on another. Symptoms are observed in 3-5% of the child population.

Often children with symptoms of this disease are called hyperactive. The disease in children under one year is less common than in infants. Hyperactivity in children under one year old has individual signs. Treatment of hyperactivity in children is the work of an experienced psychologist.

Hyperactivity syndrome in children is expressed in increased mobility. The child is not able to sit still, constantly spinning, now he was doing one thing, a minute later - another, and therefore it is not surprising that everything remains incomplete. A child with signs of hyperactivity is constantly on the move, when spoken to, does not seem to hear or pay attention. Due to restlessness, he does not perceive the material well, he is poorly trained.

The purpose of this work is to consider the causes of the appearance of a symptom of hyperactivity in children and to determine the ways of correction.

Tasks:

• consider signs of hyperactivity in a child;
• study the causes of hyperactivity;
• determine ways to correct hyperactivity, ways of interaction between parents and hyperactive children.

1. Signs of hyperactivity in a child

As a rule, such kids are called “motors”, “perpetual motion” or “like on hinges”, because they are constantly in motion. They cannot sit still, they constantly jump, run, their hands endlessly touch something, throw it, break it. Such children are very curious, but their curiosity is a momentary phenomenon, therefore, as a rule, they rarely catch the essence.

Curiosity is not characteristic of hyperactive children, they do not ask questions “why”, “why” at all. Even if they ask, they forget to listen to the answer.

Despite the constant movement in which the child is, he has some coordination disorders: clumsy, awkward in movement, constantly drops objects, often falls, breaks toys. The body of hyperactive babies is constantly covered in scratches, abrasions, bruises and bumps, but they do not draw conclusions from this and fill the bumps again.

Characteristic features in behavior are absent-mindedness, negativism, restlessness, inattention, frequent changes in mood, stubbornness, irascibility and aggressiveness. Such children often find themselves at the center of the unfolding events, as they are the noisiest.

A hyperactive child does not understand the task, hardly learns any new skills. Quite often, the self-esteem of hyperactive children is underestimated. The child does not know how to relax during the day, calms down only during sleep.

Often such a child does not sleep during the day even in infancy, but his nighttime sleep is very restless. Such children attract attention when they are in public places, because they touch, grab, and do not listen to their parents all the time.

2. Causes of hyperactivity

There are many opinions on the causes of hyperactivity in children. The most common ones are:

• genetic predisposition (heredity);
• biological (birth trauma, organic damage to the baby's brain during pregnancy);
• socio-psychological (alcoholism of parents, microclimate in the family, living conditions, wrong line of education).

Hyperactivity of the child manifests itself in preschool age. At home, hyperactive children are constantly compared with their older brothers, peers who have good academic performance and exemplary behavior, from which they suffer greatly.

Parents are often annoyed by their indiscipline, obsession, restlessness, emotional instability, carelessness. Hyperactive children cannot approach the implementation of various assignments with due responsibility, help their parents.

At the same time, punishments and comments do not give proper results. Over time, the current situation only worsens, especially when the child goes to school. Difficulties immediately arise in mastering the school curriculum, hence self-doubt develops, disagreements in relationships with peers and teachers, and violations in the child's behavior increase. Often it is at school that a child has problems with attention.

Despite the above, hyperactive children are intellectually developed, as evidenced by the results of numerous tests, but it is extremely difficult for them to concentrate and organize their own work.

Impulsiveness is very characteristic of hyperactive children, the child constantly does something without thinking, answers the questions asked inappropriately, interrupts others. During games with peers, one does not follow the rules, which is why conflict situations arise with the participants.

A hyperactive child with impaired attention cannot complete the task, he is not focused, cannot concentrate on repeatedly repeated activities that do not bring momentary satisfaction, often switches from one activity to another.

Hyperactivity decreases significantly or disappears by adolescence, but impulsivity and attention deficits tend to persist into adulthood.

3. Ways to correct hyperactivity. Parental interactions with hyperactive children

The main manifestations of hyperactivity are active attention deficit, impulsivity and increased motor activity. The causes of this syndrome have not yet been fully established.

In the behavior of the child, this syndrome is manifested by increased excitability, restlessness, dispersion, disinhibition, lack of restraining principles, feelings of guilt and anxiety. Such children are sometimes said to be “without brakes”.

Since hyperactivity that is not detected in a timely manner can later become a cause of school failure, manifestations of inappropriate behavior, special attention should be paid to young children who show signs of this syndrome. But only a doctor has the right to make a diagnosis of hyperactivity.

Depending on the characteristics of the child, the doctor may recommend either a balanced diet, or vitamin therapy, or medication. But only medical assistance will not be able to adapt the child to environmental conditions, to instill in him social skills. Therefore, in working with a hyperactive child, an integrated approach is needed.

V. Oaklander recommends using two main techniques in working with hyperactive children: smoothing out tension and following the interests of the child.

Classes with clay, cereals, sand, water, drawing with fingers help to relieve stress for a child. In addition, an adult can follow the interests of the child, observing what fascinates him at the moment, what attracts his interest. For example, if a child approaches a window, an adult does it with him and tries to determine what object the child's eyes have stopped on, and tries to keep the child's attention on this object, describing in detail the details of the object.

R. Campbell believes that the main mistakes adults make when raising a hyperactive child are: - lack of emotional attention, replaced by medical care; - lack of firmness and control in education; - inability to nurture anger management skills in children.

If an emotional contact is established between an adult and a child, a hyperactive child shows hyperactivity to a much lesser extent. “When such children are given attention, listen to them, and they begin to feel that they are taken seriously, they are able to somehow light up the symptoms of their hyperactivity to a minimum” - W. Ocklander.

Corrective work with such children can be carried out within the framework of play therapy. But since hyperactive children do not always perceive the boundaries of what is permitted, special attention should be paid to the restrictions and prohibitions introduced in the process of working with a child. They should be done in a calm, but at the same time confident tone, be sure to provide the child with alternative ways to meet his needs. For example: “You can’t pour water on the floor, but if you want to bathe the doll, let’s put it in a basin.”

Relaxation exercises and body contact exercises are invaluable help, because. they contribute to a better awareness of the baby of his body, and subsequently help him to exercise motor control. For example, parents lie down on the carpet with their child and move along it, preferably to calm music: they roll, crawl, “fight”. If the child is small, then the parent can put the child on his stomach and perform arbitrary movements and strokes. Children quickly calm down, feel safe, relax and trust themselves to an adult. You can, sitting on the carpet (the parent sits behind the child), do the following exercise: the parent takes the child’s arms and legs alternately and performs smooth movements with them. You can play ball in this way, holding the child's hands in your hands. Thus, empathy develops, the child enjoys interaction with the parent, trusts him, feels his support.

Sometimes hyperactivity is accompanied by outbursts of aggression caused by the constant dissatisfaction of others and a huge number of remarks and shouts. Parents need to develop an effective strategy for interacting with their child. When parents observe their child, actively engaging in joint play activities, they begin to better understand the needs of their child and accept him for who he is.

Parents must understand that the child is not to blame for anything and that endless remarks and jerking of the child will lead not to obedience, but to an exacerbation of behavioral manifestations of hyperactivity. Parents need to learn to restrain the endless stream of comments.

To do this, parents and other close people who live with the child during the day write down all the comments that were made to the child. In the evening, adults read the list and discuss which of the comments could not be made, noting those that led to an increase in the child's destructive behavior.

Many parents complain that their children are “powerful”, never get tired, no matter what they do. However, this is not so: excessive activity of the child after emotional overstrain, restlessness can be a manifestation of a general weakening of the brain. Therefore, it is necessary to build a daily routine in such a way as not to overload the child, and strictly observe this daily routine. To prevent overexcitation, such a child should go to bed at a certain time, watch TV as little as possible, especially before bedtime. Since a hyperactive child sleeps little and restlessly, it is advisable to take a walk with him in the evening before going to bed, or do something calm.

For the safety of the child, parents must establish certain prohibitions. There should be few prohibitions and they should be clearly and concisely stated. A ban for young children may consist of 2-3 words, such as “hot, iron”. For children of preschool and primary school age, the ban should contain no more than 10 words.

Hyperactive children, due to their impulsiveness, cannot wait long. Therefore, all encouragement promised to the child by adults must be provided to them immediately, otherwise the child will constantly remind adults of the promise, which can cause a negative response from the parents.

It is difficult for a hyperactive child to control his behavior, so you cannot demand from him to be attentive, sit still and not interrupt an adult at the same time. For example, while reading a fairy tale, a parent can give the child the opportunity to take their hands with a toy and insert cues.

Hyperactive children do not always adequately perceive parental love, therefore, more than others, they need confidence in unconditional parental love and acceptance.

• It is necessary to try as far as possible to restrain one's violent affects caused by the behavior of the child. Emotionally support children in all attempts at constructive, positive behavior, no matter how small they may be. Cultivate an interest in knowing and understanding the child more deeply.
• Avoid categorical words and expressions, harsh assessments, reproaches, threats that can create a tense situation and cause conflict in the family. Try to say “no”, “no”, “stop” less often - it’s better to try to switch the baby’s attention, and if possible, do it easily, with humor.
• Watch your speech, try to speak in a calm voice. Anger and resentment are hard to control. Expressing dissatisfaction, do not manipulate the feelings of the child and do not humiliate him.

• If possible, try to allocate for the child a room or part of it for classes, games, solitude (that is, his own "territory"). In the design, it is desirable to avoid bright colors, complex compositions. There should be no distracting objects on the table and in the immediate environment of the child. A hyperactive child himself is not able to make sure that nothing outside distracts him.
• The organization of all life should have a calming effect on the child. To do this, together with him, draw up a daily routine, following which, show flexibility and perseverance at the same time.
• Determine the scope of duties for the child, and keep their performance under constant supervision and control, but not too hard. Often celebrate and praise his efforts, even if the results are far from perfect.

And here the most important activity for children is absolutely indispensable - the game, since it is close and understandable to the child. The use of the emotional influences contained in the intonations of the voice, facial expressions, gestures, the form of the adult's response to his actions and the actions of the child, will give both participants great pleasure.

Conclusion

Hyperactivity is commonly understood as excessively restless physical and mental activity in children, when excitation prevails over inhibition. Doctors believe that hyperactivity is the result of very minor brain damage that is not detected by diagnostic tests. In scientific terms, we are dealing with minimal brain dysfunction. What are the causes of hyperactivity

The causes of this syndrome have not yet been finally established. But many experts note the following among the reasons:

• toxicosis of pregnancy;
• pathology of childbirth;
• infections and intoxications of the first years of a baby's life;
• genetic factors;
• chronic alcoholism of parents.

Signs of hyperactivity appear in a child already in early childhood. In the future, his emotional instability and aggressiveness often lead to conflicts in the family and school.

The most important thing is a sincere desire to help the child on the part of the parents .. You need to try to keep the atmosphere at home calm. It is very important to properly organize the daily routine. The child should have a safe way out of his hyperactivity for others. Sports are good, with the exception of the struggle that provokes aggressiveness - it is quite enough for hyperactive children. There should also be no competition. When a child competes with someone, trying to prove that he is the best, he gets excited and excited. But this is exactly what hyperactive children do not need, their nervous system is already excited.

List of used literature

1. Altherr P. Hyperactive children: correction of psychomotor development: a textbook for students of higher educational institutions. M.: Academy, 2011.
2. Artsishevskaya I.L. The work of a psychologist with hyperactive children in kindergarten: a manual. Moscow: Book lover, 2008.
3. Deputy I.S. Intellectual development of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: monograph. Arkhangelsk: CPI NArFU, 2011.
4. Lyutova E.K. Cheat sheet for parents: hyperactive, aggressive, anxious and autistic children: psycho-corrective work with hyperactive, aggressive, anxious and autistic children. M.: Creative center "Sphere", 2010.
5. Tokar O.V. Psychological and pedagogical support of hyperactive preschoolers: textbook.-method. allowance. M.: Flinta, 2009.

Probably, only people who do not have them have not heard about the hyperactivity of children. Today, this term is on everyone's lips. And, probably, most parents believe that their child is hyperactive, because he is such a fidget, all the time in motion, which is called "an awl in the ass." But an active and mobile baby is not always exactly hyperactive. And this definition should not be abused, because hyperactivity in children is not just their hallmark, but not quite a normal state, that is, a kind of deviation from the norm. Moreover, such a condition requires a certain “treatment”. That is why parents should know how to distinguish a hyperactive child from an ordinary mobile one, and if the diagnosis is confirmed by a specialist, then it is imperative to study it in as much detail as possible, because the role of parental tactics in raising such children is very significant.

Signs of hyperactivity in a newborn

Hyperactivity in pediatrics is considered a pathological condition in which the child is overly active and excitable. And if normal children can also show flashes of hyperactivity (if they are tired, overexcited, upset, or for other reasons), then a child with this diagnosis is in this state all the time, regardless of any circumstances.

Signs of hyperactivity in children under one year old are not pronounced, and it is almost impossible to diagnose the disorder at this age. But it is possible to suspect the development of a violation even in a newborn child. Hyperactive babies are very restless, sleep poorly and little (including at night), often their biorhythms go astray - the child “confuses” day with night. Many people refuse daytime sleep very early, and it is impossible to put them to bed in the evening. The muscle tone of such a baby is increased, not least for this reason, frequent profuse vomiting is noted, when, it is not clear why, the child vomits in a fountain shortly after feeding.

Hyperactive newborns do not like swaddling and are constantly trying to get rid of tight diapers. They are also annoyed by clothing that is restrictive and causes any discomfort. In general, they are very sensitive to the slightest irritation - whether it be sounds, a sharp temperature drop or inappropriate lighting - and they immediately begin to scream angrily and demandingly when other children are just being capricious at this time.

Already from the first months of life, the limbs of a hyperactive newborn child are constantly in motion, as if he is running somewhere. Such babies begin to sit, crawl and walk earlier than usual, and often they immediately begin to run and rush about without any caution or fear. And all because they do not have a sense of fear, which is especially pronounced later - at 3-5 years and at an older age.

Hyperactive child: signs

Obvious signs of hyperactivity in children begin to appear from the age of 2-3, and most of all - during the period when the baby attends kindergarten.

This is because he finds himself in an environment that is different from the previous one, in which completely different - rather rigid and clear - rules and requirements operate. Now the child must obey, obey, follow instructions, analyze his actions, predict their consequences and live in a team, which for a hyperactive baby, everything as a whole and each individually is not just difficult, but even hardly possible at all. And the endless difficulties that he has to face in this new world, further intensify the manifestations of the disorder. Often, it is at this age that the first signs of hyperactivity in a child can be noticed. But they are even more pronounced with the beginning of school attendance, and attempts on the part of teachers and parents to “discipline” a restless and inattentive student often lead to serious consequences in his development.

So, an approximate portrait of a hyperactive child of preschool or school age is as follows. It is difficult for such a child to sit still. Even at the dinner or study table, doing homework or eating, he fidgets and moves all the time: tapping his feet, waving his legs, looking for something to do with his fingers, leaning in different directions or, at least, turning his head around, examining who knows what and when this (almost certainly) seeing nothing concrete. It is generally difficult for him to concentrate and keep his attention on one thing. Even if it's something really interesting to him, it can't keep him busy for long.

That is why hyperactive children do not watch their favorite cartoons to the end, do not finish playing their favorite games, do not finish their favorite construction sets, do not finish reading their favorite books ... However, they do not like to read at all, as well as to engage in lessons or any activity that requires mental activity, concentration and attention , despite a fairly high level of intelligence, great abilities, a creative and talented essence, a well-developed intuition! With all this, they write ugly, read and retell poorly, do not shine in mathematics and other disciplines. There is no point in even buying puzzles for them: hyperactive children are simply not able (cannot, a priori do not know how) to sit still for at least some time. And they also have very poorly developed fine motor skills (fasteners, lacing, weaving, etc. - not for them).

The activity of such a child does not have a specific focus or goal. He is constantly in motion, twitching, rushing about, running, jumping, spinning ... But this energy is not directed in any one direction, but is scattered in vain.

The child does not know, does not understand and is not aware of why he acts one way or another. His actions are aimless and unmotivated. He can get up in the middle of the lesson, run around the class, interfere with the teacher or other students all the time. And in addition to everything, such a kid is not capable of following the instructions of the teacher: he simply does not hear them. Therefore, conflicts usually arise with educators.

Relations with children are no better. A hyperactive child often bullies, teases, sticks to others and even shows aggression, and all this, we recall, happens to him voluntarily, as if unconsciously. Because of his excessive impulsiveness, he always hurts someone, grabs the hand of a person passing by, he cares about everything, he suddenly wedged into someone else's conversation and also abruptly and illogically leaves it. A child with hyperactivity is very often excessively talkative, and he does not hear the interlocutor: he answers the questions asked to him without listening to the answers to the end and immediately switching to something else; he himself can ask, but interrupt or run away already at the second word of the respondent.

He often argues, argues, argues. Sometimes it happens that a hyperactive person withdraws into himself, as if he “turns off” from the conversation, having gone to another reality, and then he can just as suddenly “turn on”. And therefore, such a child, as a rule, has few friends: other children do not accept the “black sheep” in their company, they ridicule him, avoid him. Social adaptation is very difficult and painful. Often the child begins to reproach himself for failure among his peers, feels guilty and bad, which further increases the complexes, self-doubt, low self-esteem, irascibility and imbalance. For this reason, it becomes very difficult to communicate with hyperactive children: some are constantly annoyed, excited, dissatisfied with something; others withdraw into themselves, go into their own world, understandable and accessible only to them.

However, sometimes it happens that hyperactive children appear in the role of a leader, rallying a team around them. It must be admitted that this is rather unsafe, because they do not have a developed sense of fear and danger, and even such children feel pain is dulled.

That is why they always start extreme games, exposing themselves and others to very serious danger: they jump from trees, run along the roadway and on railway tracks, climb into raging rivers, and so on and so forth - they don’t care. It is not surprising that the clothes and shoes of such children wear out in record time: parents almost constantly have to renew their children's wardrobe.

A hyperactive child is very clumsy, sloppy and sloppy. It seems that no matter what he takes on, everything is done wrong: he will knock over the plate, break the pen, tear the paper ... Even if the table is far from him, he still manages to hook it and turn something over. He doesn't fit into a doorway, he can't put on his jacket or pants properly, he can fall just by standing still. Inattention reaches such a degree that, just holding something in his hand, the child can no longer find it. That is why he loses books all the time, forgets notebooks somewhere, and is not even able to find the necessary things in his own briefcase. It is not surprising that hyperactive people never have order anywhere and cannot be. They lack self-control and self-discipline. By the way, very often they have urinary incontinence (both night and daytime).

Such children do not need to do anything on purpose in order to mischief: everything happens involuntarily, and they are never to blame! And, believe me, this is not just an excuse - it really is. A hyperactive child cannot live differently, even if he made efforts to do this, although he is also not capable of this. It is impossible to influence his behavior: neither persuasion, nor requests, nor punishments, nor orders work.

It is noteworthy that a hyperactive child is not dexterous: he performs laborious and painstaking work very slowly and with difficulty. Also, as a rule, he is not good at ball games and cycling: neither coordination of movements, nor control over muscle contractions, nor his balance are well developed. But on the other hand, he is a master of grimacing and grimacing!

The reason for such a large complex of "troubles" lies, by and large, in the peculiarities of the functioning of the central nervous system of hyperactive children: it does not tolerate any kind of load - both physical, and mental, and emotional, and mental. The consequence of such loads are frequent headaches, a feeling of fatigue and depression, colic, disorders in the functioning of the digestive tract, increased salivation and sweating, a tendency to allergic manifestations, and even various kinds of neuroses, speech disorders, heart attacks. By the way, hyperactive children do not eat very well, but they drink a lot.

How to spot a hyperactive child

It should be noted that although hyperactivity is a very specific deviation from the norm, pathology as such is far from being spoken of in all cases, and it may well be that it is simply a feature of a child's character or temperament. But very often, hyperactivity is one of the most characteristic signs of a neurological-behavioral disorder, known in medicine as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children (ADHD). In this case, it usually creates certain problems for others.

Experts distinguish between several forms of ADHD: with a predominance of inattention, with severe hyperactivity, in combination with other disorders. Not even every specialist is able to make an accurate diagnosis: a huge number of accompanying symptoms and conditions that need to be monitored over a long period of time matter. But in most cases, doctors advise focusing on the following signs.

We can say that a child is hyperactive if for six months in various life situations and in different places (at home, at school, in the company of people close or unfamiliar to him) his behavior corresponds to at least six points from the following list:

• Doesn't respond to comments.

If you are talking about a child with attention deficit disorder, then in addition to hyperactivity and impulsivity, as evidenced by the above qualities, inattention is also a characteristic feature of this disorder. It can be diagnosed by confirming the presence of at least six of the following (also persisting for six months or longer under any circumstances):

• The child is not able to just sit quietly or stand still for a while. Even sitting, he is constantly in motion, all the time breaks off and rushes somewhere, gets up - sits down; standing - shifts from foot to foot, twists them around him, tramples, dances, waves his arms.
• He is constantly striving somewhere, directed somewhere, moving, running, climbing (and, as a rule, this is completely inappropriate).
• Often the child very abruptly or unexpectedly takes off and runs or, on the contrary, appears “out of nowhere”.
• He is very fussy, restless, unbalanced, twitching and crawling all the time. The twitching and fidgeting during excitement is especially pronounced.
• The activity of the child is aimless and unfocused, it is his natural state, and not a way to achieve something.
• He is not able to do something calm, requiring perseverance, to play calm games.
• The child talks a lot - at least about anything, does not finish the phrase, “swallows” the words.
• He likes to interfere in other people's conversations or affairs, interferes, interrupts and often annoys others with this.
• Answers a question before the answer is finished docking. Asks a lot - and does not listen to answers. Interrupts.
• Unable to wait and wait, endure.
• In the classroom, he shouts from a place, whispers, spins, creates unnecessary noise.
• Doesn't respond to comments.
• Shows aggression, anger, imbalance, irascibility.

If a child is hyperactive with attention deficit disorder, then the signs characteristic of this disorder will certainly appear at the age of 2 to 7 years, and in the neonatal period there will be manifestations characteristic of him (poor sleep, anxiety, and so on).

In general, let us recall once again that ordinary children can very often become overexcited and show increased activity, but such cases are episodic and, as a rule, have their own reasons (lack of parental attention, physical exhaustion, an overabundance of emotions, life upheavals, etc.) . Moreover, today children are increasingly very mobile and active. In hyperactive children, such a state (increased nervous excitability and motor activity) is not only normal for them, it is also “useless”, that is, the child rushes somewhere or climbs simply because he cannot stay even for a second. And this is the main difference by which you can suspect this disorder in your child. Moreover, boys are hyperactive 4-5 times more often than girls. Fair-haired and blue-eyed children are also more susceptible to this syndrome.

Parents may only suspect hyperactivity or ADHD in their child, but a specialist must confirm the diagnosis. If this is done, mom and dad will have to reconsider the principles of upbringing and relationships with their child. These are special children who are not affected by universal techniques and methods. They need a special approach, a clear daily routine, proper rest and sleep, a special diet, and most of all, parental love and support. Therefore, every parent of a hyperactive child is obliged to study this issue and make the best possible efforts so as not to break a small hyperactive personality. And this is so easy to do ... By the way, such a child often takes unimportant and trifling things very close to his heart, and at the same time does not allow himself to be consoled and caressed (repels, freaks out), although he really needs it.

Be aware that many hyperactive children become "difficult" teenagers, often rebel and go down a destructive path. This can be prevented by establishing a warm, trusting relationship with the child in advance. He must know that in any life situation you will be on his side, you will be able to understand, accept and continue to love him, no matter what. And then, with the problems that arise in his life, he will first of all turn to you, and not look for a solution on the streets.

And finally. Be very careful when diagnosing ADHD. There is a high degree of subjectivity in this, but there are no specific methods and methods to accurately determine the presence of the syndrome. Many children who do not suffer from ADHD, for a variety of reasons, may show one or another characteristic of this disorder.

And even if the diagnosis is confirmed, always remember that a lot depends on you, on how you will be able to understand and accept such a child who is simply arranged differently. Remember, we said that such children in the majority are very talented and capable. By the way, scientists with a high degree of probability suggest that such world luminaries as Mozart, Beethoven, Picasso, da Vinci, Einstein and others suffered from ADHD ... It is worth finding a vein in your child that should be developed. What do you think?

Especially for - Larisa Nezabudkina