Typically, parents do not seemingly realize when certain ADHD symptoms are present in their child or adolescent. How can that be? We often see what we want to see, because to see the child or adolescent’s negative or inappropriate behavior is often too difficult to accept, nonetheless manage.
There has been so much talk lately about the overdiagnosis of ADHD. The fact that a child has a diagnosis or does not have a diagnosis does not matter to me. Instead, I look for persistent symptoms that interfere with (or as the new DSM states, impacts) the life of a child or adolescent with ADHD.
The operational word here is persistent. I am not talking about behaviors that the child exhibits once in a while, but rather, those that occur consistently over time. Some of the behaviors that parents should notice, as I state in my book, ADHD and Social Skills: A Step-by-Step-Guide for Teachers and Parents, are the following, as adapted from the Conners Rating Scale:
If you have noticed any of these behaviors, please feel free to send me your questions about how to manage those behaviors.
There has been so much talk lately about the overdiagnosis of ADHD. The fact that a child has a diagnosis or does not have a diagnosis does not matter to me. Instead, I look for persistent symptoms that interfere with (or as the new DSM states, impacts) the life of a child or adolescent with ADHD.
The operational word here is persistent. I am not talking about behaviors that the child exhibits once in a while, but rather, those that occur consistently over time. Some of the behaviors that parents should notice, as I state in my book, ADHD and Social Skills: A Step-by-Step-Guide for Teachers and Parents, are the following, as adapted from the Conners Rating Scale:
- Restless in the “squirmy” sense
- Excitable, impulsive
- Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities
- Is an emotional child
- Restless or overactive
- Does not appear to listen to what is being said to him/her
- Leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected
- Inattentive, easily distracted
- Has difficulty waiting his turn
- Does not know how to make friends
- Fidgeting
- Disturbs other children
- Talks excessively
- Runs about in situations where it is inappropriate
- Has poor social skills
- Fidgets with hands or feet
- Demands must be met immediately—easily frustrated
- Blurts out answers to questions before the questions have been completed
- Interrupts or intrudes on others
- Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli
- Restless, always up and on the go
If you have noticed any of these behaviors, please feel free to send me your questions about how to manage those behaviors.
Dr. Esta Rapoport is experienced in working with children with ADHD and other similar special needs and their parents. She has a B.A. from N.Y.U.an M.A. from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an Ed.D from Boston University. Her book, ADHD and Social Skills: A Step-by-Step-Guide for Teachers and Parents has been endorsed by elite professionals in the field.
Her social skills training includes interventions to help children with ADHD and similar special needs to learn how to develop positive social skills so that they can make friends and succeed in school and in life. She also helps these children to improve their executive function, in terms of learning how to organize their lives both at home and at school so that they can reach their educational and personal goals with less stress.
Contact her to schedule an appointment in Westchester County NY or to answer any questions at 914-629-4225 or estamrapoport@gmail.com.
Her social skills training includes interventions to help children with ADHD and similar special needs to learn how to develop positive social skills so that they can make friends and succeed in school and in life. She also helps these children to improve their executive function, in terms of learning how to organize their lives both at home and at school so that they can reach their educational and personal goals with less stress.
Contact her to schedule an appointment in Westchester County NY or to answer any questions at 914-629-4225 or estamrapoport@gmail.com.
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