Child and adolescent psychiatrist Deseado Guzmán Esquea explains how ADHD affects academic performance and shares tips to help children with this disorder start the new school year on the right foot.

Returning to school after the summer vacation period can be difficult for any child. However, for the
children
with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (
ADHD
) is often an even greater challenge because of the obstacles this syndrome presents for good school performance.

Dr. Deseado Guzmán Esquea
Deseado Guzmán Esquea
a child and adolescent psychiatrist, explains that the
ADHD
is a neurodevelopmental disorder, with a genetic basis in its origin, with a worldwide prevalence of 4 to 6%. He clarifies that this disorder is not directly related to parenting.

“It is a chronic condition, being more frequent in
boys
It is a chronic condition, being more frequent in boys than in girls, where it manifests itself through three subtypes: inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive and mixed”, says the professional of the Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago (HOMS).

The characteristics of
ADHD
at
children
and girls are:

• They are easily distracted.
• They cannot stand still.
• Marked disorder for the completion of tasks.
• They respond before the end of the questions.
• Interrupt or disturb others.
• They find it hard to wait their turn.
• Academic difficulties (in some cases).

Among the signs it presents in adolescents, the professional cites:

• Self-control problems.
• Interpersonal difficulties.
• Frequent conflicts with parents.
• They are more prone to substance abuse.
• Depression and anxiety.
• Academic difficulties.
• Low self-esteem.

“ADHD symptoms are present in two or more settings, such as home and
school.”

Desired
Guzman
Esquea

Psychiatrist
child-
juvenile

“

How it affects their academic performance

A study carried out in the Canary Islands reports that 25% of the cases of school failure in the islands are caused by ADHD.
ADHD
undiagnosed and that, in addition, almost half of the adolescents with this disorder drop out of high school. This is an alarming figure, considering that the dropout rate among adolescents who do not have access to education is
ADHD
is 5%.

A child who, in the classroom, has difficulty with self-control, talks too much, cannot sit still, has disruptive behavior, responds impulsively, daydreams, or does not follow the teacher’s instructions, is a child who should be evaluated for the presence of this condition.

“The
ADHD
affects academic performance to the extent that children with
children
It is difficult for children to pay proper attention in the classroom and to focus on the teacher’s instructions in order to complete tasks,” says Guzman.

Special education?

The diagnosis of
ADHD
is not considered a special educational need; it is seen as an educational need for specific support, which must be attended in a regular educational center.

“These
children
can be in any school, classifying those who present some comorbidities such as learning disorders, which will require some type of effective intervention, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, among others,” he says. “Depending on the needs and requirements, the attention will be individualized”.

Now, do these children receive
children
the necessary attention in the country’s educational centers? In Guzmán’s opinion, yes, and given the reality that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common neurodevelopmental problems in children, many local schools and colleges have opted to create departments and programs that guarantee better school performance.

However, Guzman makes it clear that there is still much work to be done. “We have to orient, psychoeducate, both the public and private educational sector, that these children have behavioral difficulties, that it is not only due to a bad upbringing system, but to an alteration in the development of their brain,” he concludes.

What parents can do

The child and adolescent psychiatrist shares the following recommendations for parents to help their children with
ADHD
to start this new school year off on the right foot:

• Have everything you need on hand when you go back to school.
• Help them maintain order, such as leaving their backpack in the same place every day.
• Keep track of tasks and activities as they are completed.
• Help them with homework and combine it with other more fun activities.
• Encourage routines.
• Doing sports activities.
• Avoid taking it to places that lead to over-stimulation.
• Reinforce positive behaviors.
• Set small and realistic goals.
• Give them space to fail and try again.
• Remain calm and patient when episodes of disruptive or oppositional behavior occur.

It is important to keep in mind that

ADHD
has no cure. However, there are options to help keep your symptoms under control. Early detection of the disorder is key to initiate the appropriate treatment (which usually includes a combination of drugs and behavioral psychotherapy) to improve the academic performance of children.
children

.