October is ADHD awareness month. ADHD is a shortened way of describing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
ADHD is a life-long condition that affects the brain. The altered brain acitvity that ADHD causes means that the person can experience these symptoms:
- Difficulty concentrating on a task
- Unable to sit still
- Feeling constantly ‘busy’ (be it physically or mentally).
- Feeling ‘on edge’ or anxious a lot of the time.
- Finding it hard during occasions that require you to wait.
- Talking excessively or interrupting others without meaning to.
- Impulsiveness, often doing things without thinking.
- Taking risks
- Being easily distracted
- Forgetting things on a regular basis
- Appearing untidy or disorganized.
- Carelessness and lack of attention for detail
- Mood swings, often referred to as a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ response as mood can change and escalate quickly without meaning to.
ADHD is a life long but does not need to be a life limiting condition. I can’t emphasise enough how passionate I am to advocate for the children who have been wrongly labelled as ‘naughty’, the children that have had multiple exclusions from their school unnecessarily and the children who miss out on experiences because they are in a constant battle with themselves through no fault of their own.
ADHD can be overwhelming for both the person with it and the family surrounding them. However, with a personal approach and a good support network ADHD does NOT have to mean your child is limited to what they are able to experience and achieve!
You can find more info and support via these links:
https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/conditions/adhd-and-mental-health/
https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/
AutisMum 