A DIFFERENT TAKE ON ADHD
WHAT DO WE HAVE IN COMMON?
The five things that adults and children with ADHD have trouble regulating, are attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, organization and emotion. Sometimes it is hard to understand the silly things they do. Let us filter our impressions through a new lens. Perhaps some cartoon characters will give you a new perspective on the five faces of ADHD.
Regulating Attention
Peppermint Patty in Peanuts can’t pay attention to the teacher, is often confused about what to do next and ignores what her teacher says – unless the teacher is announcing of course, that it is time for recess! Cookie Monster from Sesame Street struggles in a different way. He hyper focuses and thinks only about cookies. He can’t shift his attention away from cookies.
Challenges with Hyperactivity
Calvin from Calvin and Hobbs has an overactive body and imagination. Take him to the doctor, he slides off the table, turns upside down, with his head on the floor and feet in the air. Ask him a question and he starts chattering away. He is eager to share. When the adults start talking again, he slides along the floor like a lizard pursuing a mosquito on the windowsill.
Difficulty with impulsivity
Hammie from Baby Blues creates friction at home, especially his older sister. He interrupts conversations, messes up his sister’s games, drops dishes, breaks toys, says hurtful things and gets himself into trouble for climbing on the roof. He doesn’t learn from his mistakes (yet) and his mother doesn’t feel she could leave him alone for an instant, much less with the babysitter. Charming and adorable, but he exhausts those around him.
Challenges with organization
Consider Jeremy’s room in Zits. Clothes and papers are scattered everywhere, he loses things, his tests don’t make it home for his parents to sign, he didn’t start brushing his teeth regularly until he met Sara. His parents were not sure that he would make it out of eight grade.
Regulating emotions
Daffy Duck in Looney Tunes isn’t a good sport. When things don’t go his way, then he throws tantrums. He is disappointed a lot. Besides, it’s hard to be constantly bested by a smooth talking bunny.
His emotional intensity leads to overreactions. Sometimes it is hard to feel sorry for him when you are constantly being embarrassed by him.
What to do?
- Attention – use her name, tap him on the shoulder or ask them to look you in the eye before giving instructions.
- Hyperactivity – save “sitting still” for essential times i.e. school or important events. Let your energizer bunny move!
- Impulsivity – allow occasional daydreaming to give their creative brains a chance to re-charge.
- Organization – before you jump into “important” discussions, introduce an idea so kids can ‘noodle’ on it for a while and pull their thoughts together.
- Emotionality – let children know that everybody makes mistakes, including you. Show them how you learn from them.
Sources:
Quinn, P. (Ed.) ADDitude: The Five Faces of ADHD. Monthly subscription magazine.
Roché Herbst
M.A.R. Psych
info@wehcs.com
