When someone hears the words “ADD” or “ADHD,” one cannot help but think of problems, difficulties, and people that are difficult to deal with. After all, the meanings of these acronyms contain the words “deficiency” and “disorder,” thus making people think of negative things and problems that arise from these conditions. This can be especially heartbreaking for parents with children who have these conditions. As a parent, you don’t have a choice but to not only deal with your kid but to shower them the love and care they deserve. But then again, how can you do this when you are confronted with all the negativity and difficulty with an ADD or ADHD-afflicted child? Simple, you need to seek out what is positive in your child’s condition.
Looking at the positive side
Of course, you would think that this is easier said than done. But then you are confronted with two things: one, you don’t have a choice, and two, dealing with difficult situations should make you seek what is positive or else, you will absolutely be bound for failure. In dealing with ADD or ADHD, the way to seek what is positive in children having these conditions is by looking at the positive in the first three things that you encounter: the symptoms. Hyperactivity, inattention and impulsiveness are the three symptoms that may always be negative when “normal” children or people display them, but for children with ADD or ADHD, these are intrinsic in them. These symptoms will definitely interfere with how ADD or ADHD afflicted children do their schoolwork or establish relationships. But there is definitely something positive in these three symptoms, and as someone with a child ADD or ADHD, you should be able to sort them out.
The positive side of hyperactivity
Hyperactivity is definitely a trait most seen in children with ADD or ADHD. Children who are hyperactive seem like they are controlled by a motor, moving non-stop like the famous bunny mascot of a popular battery brand. When a kid who has ADD or ADHD displays hyperactivity, he or she cannot really sit still or stay put for long periods. They are in constant motion, and without really much of a care, they just run around or do one activity after another, most of the time leaving the previous activity unfinished or at best, only half-done. Hyperactivity may lessen during adolescence and adulthood, but it’s definitely one symptom almost all ADD or ADHD-afflicted children exhibit, and a majority of them carry the symptom even to adulthood. Most adults with ADD or ADHD just manifest this by being restless or being fidgety though. But because of hyperactivity, children with ADHD may accomplish more, stay out longer and be up longer hours. As they cannot be tied down to one thing, it is essential for parents or guardians to harness this quality by making the child do one thing, bump to a new activity, but make sure that the previous activity will be finished eventually.
The positive side of impulsiveness
Children with ADD or ADHD are also very impulsive as they usually act without giving their actions deliberate thought. They tend to rush ahead with one thing without carefully thinking of the implications of their actions. One may argue that most, if not all children are like this, but with ADD or ADHD-afflicted children, even the explanations presented by a parent or guardian just pass from one ear and out to the other. Impulsiveness of children with ADD or ADHD can manifest in various manners, from doing something without much thought to speaking without thought or interrupting other people when talking, which may be considered as tactlessness. This symptom can be turned into a positive by guiding the child to express himself or herself. Foster creativity by allowing him or her to do whatever he or she feel like doing at the instant, but make sure you let him or her exercise caution in whatever new activity he or she thinks of.
The positive side of inattention
Being easily distracted or inattention is another major symptom of children with ADD or ADHD. This is seen as a negative by most people as it just means children with ADD or ADHD simply never learn. A result would be unfinished homework, projects that are incomplete and things that are misplaced. It is generally accepted that for people to succeed they should be focused and determined, something that inattentive people do not have. But then inattentiveness can lead children to explore more things, giving your child a wider array of activities that may spark interests and passions. When having one-on-one time with the child before going to bed, a parent can review what activities he or she did for that day and see what really made a mark or really piqued his or her interest. Then, you could make that activity, whether it’s drawing, reading or helping mom in the kitchen a daily activity for you to see if the child does have talents that may be put to good use.