CHILDREN'S HEALTH INTRODUCTION
Watching your child grow from a helpless
infant to a child full of boundless energy
is one of the most amazing aspects of being
a parent. Along with all of this rapid
change come new health concerns that parents
should be aware of.
Fortunately, most children grow up without
any significant difficulty. However, it is
important for parents to know specific
symptoms that might be cause for concern.
The following discusses health concerns that
affect children.
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a
neurological condition that affects about
one in twenty children. Common symptoms of
ADHD include impulsivity, boredom,
restlessness, hyperactivity, and
inattention. Children with ADHD generally
cannot sit for more than a few minutes at a
time and have trouble sleeping. Most have
normal intelligence, but they may seem like
slow learners because they cannot pay
attention or follow instructions. Most
researchers believe that the disorder is
caused by genetic factors and is not related
to bad parenting. However, the symptoms of
ADHD can be very similar to those of fetal
alcohol syndrome or drug exposure in-utero.
There are no medical tests to diagnose ADHD,
and therefore it can be difficult to
diagnose specifically. It is particularly
difficult to diagnose ADHD in toddlers, as a
certain level of hyperactivity is common to
most children between the ages of one and
four. As children grow older however, most
will calm down, but children with ADHD
continue to be hyperactive. They can be more
emotional, talkative, and disobedient than
other children, as well.
Watching your child play
or attend class with other children is a
good way to determine if there is
hyperactivity. Signs to watch for are:
-
Inability to follow
simple instructions
-
Disrupting other
children’s play
-
Repeatedly disobeying
rules
-
Emotional outbursts
-
Unnecessary roughness
such as pushing, shoving, or biting
If you suspect that your
child may have ADHD, consult your
pediatrician. The doctor will want to rule
out any medical condition and may refer your
child to a child psychologist or
psychiatrist. Most likely, an evaluation
will be performed to assess the behavior. If
the evaluation suggests that your child has
ADHD, the doctor will most likely recommend
a combination of therapy, disciplinary
strategies, and possibly medication. There
are a number of drugs that are currently
utilized to treat the symptoms of ADHD in
children.
AUTISM
Autism is a developmental
disorder that affects a child’s ability to
develop the ability to socially interact and
communicate. Children with autism commonly
develop repetitive behaviors and have great
difficulty in adapting to change in their
routines or surroundings. Autism will affect
the way a child learns, relates to others,
and/or responds to sensations. However, no
two children with autism will have exactly
the same symptoms. Some have very few
symptoms while others have severe
disabilities. Approximately one in 500
children have autism, and there are an
increasing number of those who are
diagnosed. This is generally thought to be
because of improved education about the
disorder, as well as improved diagnostic
testing.
Symptoms of autism are
usually most pronounced in the areas of
social skills, speech and communication, and
repetitive behaviors. Some of the most
common symptoms include:
-
Social Skills –
Inability to relate to or communicate
with others. Limited eye contact and
desire to be alone. Dislike of physical
affection such as cuddling.
-
Speech and
Communication – Approximately 40
percent of children with autism do not
speak at all. Others may be only able to
repeat something that is said to them.
Some may be able to speak quite well,
but cannot engage in a back and forth
conversation. As well, there might be an
inability to understand physical
communication such as waving, or
gesturing. Those who can speak may often
speak in a monotone fashion with little
awareness to the volume of their
speaking.
-
Repetitive Behaviors
– Children with autism often have very
set routines that cannot be altered
without serious distress. They may
repeat tasks over and over.
Currently, there is no
known cure for autism, but early education
can be extremely helpful to minimize the
symptoms. Teaching a child the skills to
communicate, play with others, and learn
effectively can be crucial for future
success. Therapeutic medicines have been
successful for some but are yet to be as
effective as education and behavioral
intervention.
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