Several studies on ADHD have shown that
children with ADHD generally have lower
self-esteem than their healthy peers and their global self-esteem, social acceptance and school skills
are most affected. For most of us, it is
extremely important to be accepted by the group. Naturally this becomes more difficult when an
individual is so much different to the rest of the group, e.g. clumsy on the
sports field, unable to sit still in class, always in trouble with a specific
teacher etc.
In 2001, the New York University Child
Study Center conducted a survey of 507 parents. It found that kids with attention
deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) were nearly three times more likely to have
difficulty getting along with, and more than twice as likely to get picked on
by, peers, compared to children without ADHD.
One of the problems is that children
with ADD/ADHD or autism spectrum syndromes like Aspergers’s are very often not
able to pick up on nonverbal clues that the rest of us can without thinking. The result is that these children are often
misunderstood and that there behaviour could in many cases be seen as
irritating by others. ADHD behaviors,
such as frequent interrupting and lack of standard social etiquette, may be
misinterpreted as intentionally hurtful. Other behaviors simply provide easy
targets for teasing during the precarious middle-school years. These behaviors
may include: poor eye contact, too much activity, both verbal and nonverbal,
and failure to notice social cues. Misinterpretation of such behaviors often
causes trouble for both the ADHD child and his schoolmates. Naturally, this makes them vulnerable to
verbal (and phyiscal) bullying.
The truth of the matter is that words
can hurt - deeply. There are many heart-wrenching stories from young people
being teased by their peers. All
children in the "in-between" years are susceptible to bullying by
classmates, but kids who have ADHD may receive a disproportionate amount. If a
child faces mean words and acts on a regular basis, the effects take their toll
on his or her schoolwork and overall
happiness.
Parents can help their preteens hold
back the tide of teasing by teaching social skills at home. Practice
maintaining eye contact during short conversations. Emphasize the importance of
using transitional expressions when greeting or leaving friends, such as
"Hi" and "Bye," and of saying "Please,"
"Thank you," and "I'm sorry." Ask your child to try
counting to five in his head before making any comments or responding during a
conversation. This five-second margin will reduce inappropriate verbal blurting
and help teach him to become a better listener.
If preteens do not see how they may
draw negative attention, they may come away from social interactions feeling
that they are hopelessly and inexplicably disliked. Parents may advise their
children to "just ignore it," but this strategy can be difficult for
ADHD students. As you help your child build social skills, continue to listen
to their problems. Provide a forum to discuss interactions and help them come
up with their own strategies for dealing with the teasers of the world. Involve
your children in activities at which they can be successful. Respond to your
preteen when he shows what an interesting, loyal, and compassionate person he
is becoming. Reinforce connections to his friends who show positive qualities.
Tell about your own childhood (or present-day!) encounters with hurtful people
and share your solutions.
Young people take cues from those
around them. Compassion may not be the strongest suit for many preteens, but
school can be an ideal setting for changing this paradigm.
That "magical, protective
shield" that we all wish for our children must be built over time. While
no single technique can eliminate the teasing words or actions that hurt
feelings, there's a lot that parents and teachers can do to help.
Health Corner News
Deficiencies in certain types of foods can
worsen ADHD symptoms
in children and adults. Getting adequate levels of the right foods optimizes
brain function. Foods rich in protein -- lean beef, pork, poultry,
fish, eggs, beans, nuts, soy, and low-fat dairy products -- can have beneficial
effects on ADD symptoms. Protein-rich foods are used by the body to make
neurotransmitters, the chemicals released by brain cells to communicate with
each other. Protein can prevent surges in blood sugar, which increase hyperactivity.
Balanced Meals. When
children are on a well-balanced diet, including vegetables, complex
carbohydrates, fruits, and plenty of protein, their behavior tend to be more
consistently under control. Recent
studies have confirmed that the exclusion of food colourants from the diet and
the inclusion of omega 3 fatty acid supplements have a positive effect on ADHD
symptoms.
Ned Hallowell, M.D., founder of the Hallowell
Center for Cognitive and Emotional Health, in Sudbury, Massachusetts, and New York
City, advises all of his ADHD patients to think about their plates when
preparing a meal. Half of the plate, he recommends, should be filled with
fruits or vegetables, one-fourth with a protein, and one-fourth with
carbohydrates.
Hallowell also advocates eating several
servings of whole grains, which are rich in fiber, each day to prevent blood
sugar levels from spiking and then plummeting.
Well, there you have it. A balanced meal that excludes food colourants
still is the best way to support the person with ADHD. Wander off this path and prepare for
peril.
