Why Psychological Help Is Important For Children With ADHD
There is a myth according to which ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) It is nothing more than a stigmatizing label used to designate certain minors who are more active and curious than normal, or who have a tendency to not obey the rules of each or the school.
Nothing could be further from the truth: it is a very real neurodevelopmental disorder that, if not treated in time, will greatly damage the quality of life of the child, even beyond the academic field or their relationship with their parents. parents. In this article we will see why this is due and why in the face of this type of psychological phenomena it is necessary to have professional help.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose symptoms arise primarily during school years and are related to problems managing the ability to concentrate on the tasks at hand, as well as a tendency to constantly look for sources of external stimulation
Thus, children with ADHD tend to be extremely restless (as the word “hyperactivity” suggests), behave in a relatively impulsive manner, and have problems following classes in the context of school.
Although when we think about it we usually associate it with childhood, this disorder also continues to express itself during adulthood. However, It is especially in childhood when it is important to intervene to provide psychotherapeutic and educational support adapted to these people given that otherwise they will accumulate educational deficits that will not only cause them great discomfort, but will also greatly complicate the challenge of being autonomous and educated individuals during adulthood.
Losing the opportunity to take advantage of the years of schooling has a very high cost that remains “entrenched” and that is difficult to remedy when many years have passed since ADHD began to develop.
On the role of psychological support for children with ADHD
Although up to this point we have seen a brief description of what this disorder is, the truth is that it is a very complex alteration that cannot be summarized to understand all its nuances. Likewise, ADHD cannot be “solved” with magic recipes either; No, psychotropic drugs such as methylphenidate, prescribed by doctors, are not intended to be a way to cure the disorder, but rather a way to mitigate some of its symptoms.
The key is to offer support so that the child is aware of what is happening to him or her and can develop his or her own tools to modulate his or her behavior so that he or she can adapt to different day-to-day situations. That is Beyond medical logic, it is necessary to help you learn ways to modify your own behavior and your way of managing your emotions And this requires proper support from educators and the family, yes, but it is also necessary to have psychological help. Below you will find a summary of the different functions that a psychologist performs in the cases of boys and girls with ADHD.
1. It offers a space to express yourself and focus the problem positively
A psychologist’s office is a place where it is possible to express emotions and feelings without being judged, and this fact is usually recognized as such and appreciated even by small children. In situations like this, children are encouraged not to be afraid to express themselves, which favors what is known as emotional ventilation, transforming the communication of emotional states into something constructive and from which they can begin to work by setting objectives.
ADHD often leads to very frustrating situations, and this easily leads to low self-esteem problems. For this reason, one of the aspects that is most worked on in therapy consists of make the boy or girl understand that what happens to him or her is not his or her fault, and that, at the same time, he or she can learn to better know his or her own potential and also detect its positive qualities.
3. Training in the development of study skills
Something as simple as sitting for ten minutes to study a lesson given in class is often a challenge for a boy or girl with ADHD. However, there are techniques and strategies to facilitate this, and it is possible to learn them in sessions with the psychologist.
4. Learning in self-motivation methods
As we have seen, impulsivity is usually one of the characteristic aspects of the behavior of a young person with ADHD. However, This predisposition to set out in search of stimulating experiences does not always have to be a problem ; It can also be transformed into a source of motivation.
5. Guidance for parents
Help for children with ADHD does not end at schools or the psychologist’s office, but must also extend to the family environment. To achieve this, psychologists work advising parents, both resolving doubts and giving guidelines and instructions about what to do to raise and educate minors in the best way.
6. Help you have an adequate learning space
Beyond the behavior and mental processes of the child in question, We must not forget that the material environments to which we are exposed also greatly influence the way we manage ADHD For this reason, psychology also offers personalized assistance to create study spaces that take this diagnosis into account, and that make things easier for you when it comes to learning.
Another key to reinforce in a boy or girl with ADHD has to do with the routines associated with the management of time and the resources available to you Through these routines, you will be able to structure your daily life without falling into pure impulsiveness and without indefinitely postponing the goals that can bring you more in the medium and long term.
Are you looking for professional psychological support services?
If you are looking for psychological assistance services for young people and families in the face of phenomena such as ADHD and learning disorders, Get in touch with me I am a psychologist specialized in cognitive-behavioral psychology and I provide care both in my office located in Madrid and online through video call sessions.
