5 Tips For Managing Inattentive Type ADHD In Children

Have you observed that your child has trouble paying attention? Do they frequently move during inappropriate times, interrupt others and act impulsively? If such problems persist and have a significant influence on your child's day-to-day functioning, Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be present.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the development and function of the brain [1]. This disorder, which begins in childhood, frequently continues even a person reaches adulthood and affects approximately 5 percent of the global population [2].

ADHD can affect children and adolescents' social connections and academic performance, but effective therapies are available to manage its symptoms. Learn about Inactive type ADHD and tips for managing your ADHD child.

What Is Inattentive Type ADHD?

Inattentive ADHD (formerly referred to as ADD) is a subtype of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder In which patients present with symptoms of procrastination, distractibility, short attention span, and forgetfulness [3].  A child with inattentive ADHD makes careless errors because they struggle to maintain focus, follow specific directions, and organize tasks.

They are easily distracted by outside stimuli and frequently misplace items. They may leave work incomplete and act as if they are not listening to you. These are all signs of ADHD of the Inattentive Type; they are not character flaws.

Tips For Managing Inattention Type ADHD Child

1.     Catch Their Interest

Occasionally divert the child's attention with care. Use the child's name to indicate that you are speaking directly to her/ him. For instance, whenever speaking to a child, first say her or his name, then the instruction. In this way, the child will be more engaged and will listen to you.

For example, "children, please open your sketchbook." Observe that a general instruction to the class such as, "now, let's do some drawing" by the time it reaches his/her ears, would be lost. The child will not give a response to this question, he/she may ignore this question.

2.     Building relationships with parents

Children with ADHD need intimacy like all other children and the feeling of belongingness. However, they need additional intimacy and a strong relationship with their parents so that they can manage their condition. Children with ADHD can get easily fidgeted, so they need attention from their parents to become calm. Since such kids require attention, parents need to be very open and communicative with them. Parents need to create a comfortable zone where children can feel safe to communicate with them in their own ways. The children might not be able to speak, or give attention, but when parents have strong intimate relationships with them, it will help the children to reach a stabilized attentive state more easily and quickly.

3.     Clear instructions and break down tasks

A child with ADHD might not be able to understand the social cues or complex sentences because of his disorder. Therefore, he/she might seem uninterested. It is the job of the parents to give clear instructions to their children in complete sentences so that the children can easily understand what is being communicated to them. A parent should not simply point over to things and stuff and expect the special children to tag along or follow them. Those children need special attention for even completing the basic tasks such as eating or going to the toilet. Therefore, cooperative parents will be able to manage the condition of their children with ADHD quicker.

In addition to giving clear instructions, children with ADHD should not be assigned complicated or multi-faceted tasks. They should not be asked open-ended questions as their caliber still needs to be developed first for giving them complex tasks. Therefore, it is recommended that parents or caretakers divide the complicated task into smaller steps and help the children complete the different steps of the tasks. The children will be attentive in this way and will be able to accomplish the task eventually through gradual steps.

4.     Instruct Children to Use Reflective Listening

Instead of concluding every sentence with "Now, do you understand? ", which puts the child on the defensive, encourage the child to use reflective phrases such as "You want me to..." or "You're stating that..." in conversation. This will ensure that they heard what you just said and reinforce the message as they repeat it again. Additionally, it will serve as a useful communication tool for future interactions. 

5.     Keep Calm and Find Individualized Counseling

You can't do it all! You cannot assist an impulsive child if you are upset. If you keep calm and exercise self-control throughout an outburst, your child will be more likely to do so as well. Before attempting to soothe your child, take a moment to breathe, relax, and gather your thoughts. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed your child will become. So, instead of yelling at or condemning your child for being unfocused, try to understand and help him.

Your child may also require both your support and expert assistance. When coping with any form of ADHD, it is usually beneficial to consult a therapist or psychologist. Find a therapist for your child and provide them with another outlet. Don't be scared to ask for help if you require it.

Numerous parents are so preoccupied with their children that they disregard their own psychological needs. He/she can direct you and provide you with extremely helpful advice for assisting your child. A therapist can also help you and your child manage your stress and worry. Moreover, parents may also find local support groups to be beneficial.

Takeaway

Your child spends much of their time in school, therefore you will need to keep in touch with their teacher to monitor their academic progress and performance. Together, you can develop various ways of assisting the child. The school can make adjustments to better meet the requirements of your kid. Consult with the principal.

When a child has the necessary treatment, tools, and support, they will be able to concentrate and achieve their goals.