Dr LeCrone
01-03-2006, 01:55 PM
“Johnny just won’t sit still. I think he had a motor inside his body. He’s into everything. I have to watch him every minute of the day or else he will destroy the house. He must be hyperactive!”
One of the most commonly used – and misused – words to describe children is hyperactivity. Professionals estimate that anywhere from 2 percent to 20 percent of all children could be labeled as hyperactive. Despite the common use of the term, hyperactivity is a disorder that is not fully understood.
Hyperactivity may be defined as a persistent pattern of poor attention, impulsiveness, poorly planned behavior and excessive physical activity. The causes for hyperactive behavior are varied. Some children may show this trait because of confusion and a general lack of structure at home. Still others may be acting out emotional difficulties.
A program to control hyperactivity may be rather complex. The most widely used treatment for this disorder has been the use of medication. A child under the care of a physician may be prescribed medicine that serves to bring his behavior under control. In general, drug therapy has been found to be an effective and efficient method of controlling hyperactivity. It is a controversial approach, however, that should be viewed cautiously.
In addition to medication, most treatments of hyperactivity include a plan to provide the child additional structure and control in the home environment. Parents are encouraged to establish a regular routine of activities for the child so that he will know what behaviors are expected to him.
Because children who are hyperactive are often discouraged youngsters, strong doses of encouragement are beneficial in helping the child to change his behavior. The hyperactive child seldom hears a parent say, “I like it when you act that way. It certainly is pleasant to have you around.” Too often, the child has learned that the only time that he gets attention from Mother and Dad is when he acts “bad.” The child who is given encouragement will come to understand that he is noticed when his behavior is “good” and will repeat these behaviors.
Many parents of hyperactive children complain that they cannot praise their child for acting positively because the occasion never arises. Yet, it is a very rare child, indeed, who does not spend at least a few moments each day that he is at least not being bothersome. He may not be in the middle of a good deed, but he is not being disruptive, either. Rather than “letting a sleeping dog lie,” the hyperactive child could benefit from having attention paid to him for not being bothersome.
Attention has been given to other less proven forms of treating hyperactivity, namely diet control. Although some reports of successful treatment of this behavior have been attributed to the manipulation of a child’s diet, there does not appear to support this method as the most efficient approach to curbing hyperactivity.
There is no sure cure for hyperactivity, but methods of effectively coping with it are available. Hyperactivity can be improved by a medication program guided by a physician, parent education of child management, methods, and positively changing the child’s environment.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1984
One of the most commonly used – and misused – words to describe children is hyperactivity. Professionals estimate that anywhere from 2 percent to 20 percent of all children could be labeled as hyperactive. Despite the common use of the term, hyperactivity is a disorder that is not fully understood.
Hyperactivity may be defined as a persistent pattern of poor attention, impulsiveness, poorly planned behavior and excessive physical activity. The causes for hyperactive behavior are varied. Some children may show this trait because of confusion and a general lack of structure at home. Still others may be acting out emotional difficulties.
A program to control hyperactivity may be rather complex. The most widely used treatment for this disorder has been the use of medication. A child under the care of a physician may be prescribed medicine that serves to bring his behavior under control. In general, drug therapy has been found to be an effective and efficient method of controlling hyperactivity. It is a controversial approach, however, that should be viewed cautiously.
In addition to medication, most treatments of hyperactivity include a plan to provide the child additional structure and control in the home environment. Parents are encouraged to establish a regular routine of activities for the child so that he will know what behaviors are expected to him.
Because children who are hyperactive are often discouraged youngsters, strong doses of encouragement are beneficial in helping the child to change his behavior. The hyperactive child seldom hears a parent say, “I like it when you act that way. It certainly is pleasant to have you around.” Too often, the child has learned that the only time that he gets attention from Mother and Dad is when he acts “bad.” The child who is given encouragement will come to understand that he is noticed when his behavior is “good” and will repeat these behaviors.
Many parents of hyperactive children complain that they cannot praise their child for acting positively because the occasion never arises. Yet, it is a very rare child, indeed, who does not spend at least a few moments each day that he is at least not being bothersome. He may not be in the middle of a good deed, but he is not being disruptive, either. Rather than “letting a sleeping dog lie,” the hyperactive child could benefit from having attention paid to him for not being bothersome.
Attention has been given to other less proven forms of treating hyperactivity, namely diet control. Although some reports of successful treatment of this behavior have been attributed to the manipulation of a child’s diet, there does not appear to support this method as the most efficient approach to curbing hyperactivity.
There is no sure cure for hyperactivity, but methods of effectively coping with it are available. Hyperactivity can be improved by a medication program guided by a physician, parent education of child management, methods, and positively changing the child’s environment.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1984