Your guide to dealing with the “hyperactive and distracted child” during exam season | Mirror

Exam season does not go unnoticed by families of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The burden does not fall only on the child, but also on the parents, whether before or during exams. Perhaps for this reason, some countries, including Australia, have decided to allocate additional time for exams. For those who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Dr. Mohamed Hamed Abdo Ibrahim is a pediatrician specializing in behavior modification and learning difficulties، Turning most homes into camps filled with pressure and distress is one of the wrong behaviors that must be stopped immediately.

Regarding how to manage the behavior of children with distraction and hyperactivity during exams, Dr. Mohamed Hamed spoke to Al Jazeera Net, directing his advice to parents.

• How can one prepare for exam season in light of distraction, hyperactivity, and movement?

The form of readiness depends on the type and severity of the disorder, and the treatment plans drawn up for it. The disorder is called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and not the other way around. Movement in itself is not a problem, even if it is excessive, but the real problem is distraction, so we differentiate between three:

• Hyperactivity without distraction.
• Distraction without hyperactivity.
• Hyperactivity and distraction.

Each of them has a completely different treatment plan and preparation for the exams, as follows:

Getting ready A hyperactive child without distractionFor exams, by engaging in physical activity for no less than 12 minutes and no more than 25 minutes one to two hours before the start of studying, in order to relieve excess energy.

As for Distracted child It helps with studying and exams with 5 basic things, the most important of which are:

• Install a study location.
• The lighting must be vertical from two different sources.
• Keep the place away from distractions.
• To face the desk, the wall.
• The wall and desk should be in uniform colors, without decorative designs.

He should prepare Hyperactive and distracted child By exerting physical effort before studying for half an hour to an hour, and using exam forms to increase concentration, for 10 minutes to a quarter of an hour after muscle effort.

For everyone, preparing for the study process itself requires procedures before, during, and after, the most important of which are:

• Enter the bathroom before starting to study.
• The desktop should be free of any tools other than a book and a pen.
• There is a timer and an end date for each lesson or subject.
• It is forbidden to have any device inside the room, such as a telephone or television, even if the academic material is on the computer. It is recommended to print the part to be reviewed.
• Having juices or your favorite drink besides water.

• Are there any tips on how to review?

Yes, it includes a set of steps that if the distracted child adheres to, his achievement will be higher, which are:

• Converting information into a drawing similar to a mind map.
• Highlight key words. A distracted child needs key words to be able to focus on the information.
• The child uses a means of explaining himself, such as a blackboard, or explains what he understands to the dolls in his room, or to his mother.

• What is the effect of medications – in the case of children receiving treatment for hyperactivity – on concentration?

In the case of severe hyperactivity, we are forced to intervene with drug treatments, which contain substances that are perceived as tranquilizers, but they increase the brain’s ability to control random commands. Only in the case of distraction, if it is of a moderate or severe degree, then we resort to some medications that increase concentration. And attention, and it sometimes has side effects such as excessive appetite or increased motor activity.

Therefore, if the diagnosis is not accurate, medications may contribute to increased hyperactivity or increased distraction and mental dullness. Therefore, resorting to medications in this case is a very delicate issue that the doctor must deal with with caution, because it may produce adverse results.

• What are the most recommended foods and those that are not recommended for a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?

All foods are recommended for a child with ADHD, except for foods that contain preservatives or sugars. Preservatives are full of toxins that accumulate on the central nervous system and impair its performance. Over time, they also cause a reduction in IQ levels from 4 to 7 degrees. On the other hand, it is recommended Increasing foods that increase concentration, such as black raisins, almonds, and walnuts, as well as dates, and natural juices without excess.

• Is there a way to reduce movement and excess energy?

Maintaining physical activity and exercising regularly and not only during vacation, because it is a type of mental, psychological and physical training, as well as practicing hobbies, such as drawing and modeling with clay, as they are a valve for the soul, a release of pressure, and help to relax, and also games to develop concentration and attention, whether they are paper, Or in the form of games that reduce distraction and increase concentration.