Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common disorder for children in Canada. The general signs of those who have been diagnosed with ADHD include a propensity to act impulsively, increased energy, and need to concentrating.
These factors can diminish a child’s performance in the classroom or cause difficulty at home as they find it hard to control their behaviour. Children are also more inclined to become distracted, have a tendency to interrupt, have difficulty listening, an inability to remain still, and have difficulty doing things quietly.
Thus, it is important for both parents and future child and youth workers to acquire the knowledge and insight on how to aid children with ADHD both in an educational and domestic setting.
Caring for a child with ADHD does not have to be a huge challenge, and there are a number of ways to make their learning experience and everyday life easier. Keeping reading to learn more.
Limit a Child with ADHD’s Focus to Specific Tasks by Creating Stimulating Activities
When it comes to accomplishing a task or schoolwork, children with ADHD can have difficulty keeping their concentration. However, if they develop a genuine interest in following through with the work, then their focus and willingness is much more likely to remain intact.
The best way to keep a child’s attention tied to the task at hand is to make it interesting and exciting. If the work itself is able to constantly stimulate the child, they will be more inclined to remain involved in finishing the exercise. A lack of intrigue can easily lead to distractions, boredom, and a lack of motivation, which will make the child want to abandon the task and search for alternative activities. In schoolwork, it is crucial to give students with ADHD ample time and opportunities to complete assignments in order for them to excel to the best of their ability. Through child and youth worker courses, students learn to recognize how to divide the workload of someone with ADHD in order for them to feel less overwhelmed. By breaking down assignments into sections, it enables the child to comprehend a simplified version of the work instead of viewing it as a complex and daunting activity.
Learn Effective Methods and Training at Child and Youth Worker College
Graduates of child and youth worker college recognize that ADHD does not only affect one’s attention and excess activity, but their ability to control their behaviour and how they approach a task when introduced to it. Children will tend to focus on the immediate reward of the task and will lose interest if they feel the reward is trivial or too far in the future. It is important for child and youth workers to focus on present incentives rather than long-term motivations.
A good approach to consider is to direct praise and encouragement toward the child during the exercise. This action reinforces positivity as well as their likelihood to continue performing. In instances where a lack of praise is present, it may detour the child away from the work since feelings of failure and self-consciousness may arise. They may start to think that they are making mistakes and may become hesitant in trying to produce any kind of material. With a sense of encouragement, the child will want to achieve immediate success and keep their momentum going.