Treatment of attention deficit in children and what is the test for attention deficit?

Many parents and teachers in schools easily complain about poor concentration and lack of attention from children, in our article today we will talk about one problem of distracting children, poor concentration, symptoms and treatment other than hyperactivity disorder .. So follow us.

What is attention deficit disorder in children?

Also called attention deficit disorder ( ADD ), it is a neurological disorder that causes a number of behavioral problems, such as:

There is a close association between ADHD and ADHD but that does not mean that they are necessarily the same in a child, a child can have a disorder without being hyperactive, and certainly there are different features and signs for each of them.

Attention deficit problems in children

As a result, children with ADHD can have several problems and difficulties, such as:

• learning difficulties.
• Attachment problems at school.
• Failure to perform the duties and tasks required of them.

Distraction symptoms in children

There are several signs a child has ADHD that a parent or teacher should be aware of at school, including:

• Lack of attention to detail, especially in class.
• Lack of interest in performing tasks and duties as required.
• Failure to do the tasks required of him, and transferring him to other jobs that he does not perform, and so on.
• In daydreams, you find that he does not listen to what you say and does not follow up on the conversations that revolve around him or even direct him.
• He has a problem with the organization and always finds him surrounded by chaos.
• He never planned, i.e. “live in the moment”.
• He always avoids anything that requires his full attention.
• Everything around him can easily get his attention and make him lose focus.
• Always forgetful and having a hard time memorizing.

TOVA . Distraction Test

When seeking professional help with your child’s symptoms that are causing real problems, the doctor will ask how long these symptoms have been and how severe they are, and will perform a known test called . Carrying out a variable attention test depending on its result, which can diagnose your child’s condition in order to develop the necessary treatment plan.

This test is performed on a computer (audio or visual test) and uses techniques similar to those used in electronic games. Certain interactions are recorded by the computer and 3 variables are measured in the child:

• The presence of errors indicates a lack of attention of the child.
• The presence of errors indicates impulsiveness and incorrect reaction speed.
• reaction time.

This test is somewhat complex and difficult to implement and interpret its results, so it must be performed by a professional who has the competence to conduct the test and analyze its results.

Distraction therapy in children

Some doctors prescribe stimulant medications to increase focus and treat distraction in children, such as methylphenidate and Adderall, but because these drugs have many side effects, they may not be preferred by many parents and may not be the first treatment choice for many doctors.

Therefore, instead of medication, doctors and parents prefer to develop a behavior change plan that they follow together, especially since some children may not have a clear mental disorder but similar problems and behaviors appear due to circumstances, and this plan can develop in the long term Contrast, which can address the problem immediately, but does not help in the long run.

Tips to treat poor concentration and lack of attention in a child

• Explain your child’s problem in a positive, non-violent way.
• Put your child on a fixed schedule that includes tasks they are asked to do without frequent changes, and you can involve them in setting up this schedule that they can stick to.
• Allow your child to take more breaks between his daily tasks and functions so that he is less distracted and less bored.
• Keep your child away from anything that can distract him and reduce his focus while he is doing his homework, such as noise, rooms full of things and lots of colour.
• Talk to your child about his areas of interest. If you notice that your child is looking away during the conversation and you find that he is losing focus, this means that he is finding this conversation boring and will not be able to do it again to focus with you again.

Finally, you don’t have to worry about children’s distractions and jump to the conclusion that your child has this disorder because they may have a passing problem for some time and they might have something that really occupies them. Try to talk to him and encourage him to give his opinion because he may need your help with his problem.