Hamilton, a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario, has reported that the prevalence of ADHD among all age groups was twice as high in boys as girls in the town. The prevalence of ADHD in kids has risen exponentially in recent years, and the most disturbing thing is that nobody seems to know why. Labeling a child with disorders like ADHD can cause devastating effects on their self-esteem, especially when their teachers and friends start viewing and treating them differently. So the best thing you can do for your child is to take them to an ADHD specialist for kids in Hamilton On as soon as you find your child exhibiting ambiguous signs and symptoms.
According to recent statistics released by the Ontario Child Health Study, currently, there are 9.0% of boys and 3.3% of girls deal with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. Further, as per the CDC (United States Centers for Disease Control), in 2011-13, approximately 6.2 million children between the ages of 3 and 17 were diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) all across the United States. This means that around 10% of American children of this age are dealing with this.
Hamilton is, fortunately, a regional center for health care services and facilities in the country. Hamilton’s hospitals offer advanced treatments and employ some of the most talented ADD specialists.
Two therapies an ADHD specialist for kids in Hamilton On can help you with are:
Behavior modification
A child with ADD shows a few problematic behaviors that affect the whole family and the child’s well-being. Behavior modification is a technique based on American behaviorists Skinner’s operant conditioning. The sole idea behind this therapy is that you need to encourage the desired behavior in your child through rewards (positive reinforcement) and reduce unwanted behavior through punishments or consequences (negative reinforcement). Behavior modification techniques work wonders on younger children, but adolescents and teens can also be benefitted from this approach. For this, you can try implementing a reward system for completing a certain number of good behaviors.
Track your child’s progress with gold stars and provide a specific reward when your child has accumulated a certain number of stars. You must ensure that your child actively participates so they can become the master of their behavior. If you need to start a behavior modification program with your child, many specialists in Hamilton can help you plan and implement one according to your child’s condition.
Social Skills training
There is no denying that social skills do not come naturally to children, but those with ADHD may have difficulty picking up social skills. With time, practice, and assistance from an ADD specialist for kids, a child can overcome social challenges and relationship problems. A child with Attention deficit disorder might face social issues like:
- Conversation with others. Children with ADHD tend to interrupt others instead of waiting for their turn to speak.
- Considering other people’s feelings. Due to their impulsivity, ADHD kids are careless about what they say. They need to be taught about making personal remarks or jokes to others.
- Personal space. Kids with ADHD are unaware of personal space and may stand too close or handle other people’s belongings without asking permission.
Remember that caring for an ADHD kid should never be a solo endeavor. You can always take the help of an ADHD specialist for kids in Hamilton On who has studied and done research on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. These professionals are always on top of things as far as this disorder is concerned. So without any delay, approach them! ADHD is not something that can be left untreated to go on its own. You need to consult an ADHD specialist for the right kind of exercise your child needs to take and keep constant communication with them.
