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.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
