016 - Harnessing Hyperactivity
Dr Kimberley O’Brien speaks to Rose, the mother of a seven-year-old boy who has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), about her journey to obtain a diagnosis and how she manages her son’s hyperactivity.
Rose reveals to Dr Kimberley that she first noticed her son’s hyperactivity when he was 18 months old. “He just couldn't stay on task with anything,” she says. “He would bounce around from one thing to another and he couldn't sit still.”
When Dr Kimberley describes children with ADHD who come into the Quirky Kid clinic as wanting to look at everything at once and emptying out all the drawers, Rose can relate. She explains that it took her a while to understand that her son was actually looking at everything and not just making a mess.
Dr Kimberley asks Rose how she harnesses her son’s hyperactivity. Rose explains that he can focus on tasks he’s interested in, such as LEGO and his iPad, for hours. When it comes to getting him to focus on tasks he’s less interested in, breaking down tasks, giving him clear instructions and using visual aids helps.
Next, Dr Kimberley asks Rose to share her experience with obtaining an ADHD diagnosis and deciding whether medication was appropriate for her son. Rose says that being diagnosed was the best thing for her son because it allowed him to start taking medication that has helped him focus and to start receiving the support he needs at school.
With many years of experience working with children who have ADHD, Dr Kimberley explains Quirky Kid’s in-depth assessment process. Parents can find out more about the Conners 3 assessment tool and behavioural assessments that are used at Quirky Kid to diagnose ADHD.
What you will learn in this episode:
• How to have a child assessed for ADHD
• How obtaining a diagnosis can help a child with ADHD receive the support they need
• How to harness the hyperactivity of a child with ADHD
• How Quirky Kid can help
Rose reveals to Dr Kimberley that she first noticed her son’s hyperactivity when he was 18 months old. “He just couldn't stay on task with anything,” she says. “He would bounce around from one thing to another and he couldn't sit still.”
When Dr Kimberley describes children with ADHD who come into the Quirky Kid clinic as wanting to look at everything at once and emptying out all the drawers, Rose can relate. She explains that it took her a while to understand that her son was actually looking at everything and not just making a mess.
Dr Kimberley asks Rose how she harnesses her son’s hyperactivity. Rose explains that he can focus on tasks he’s interested in, such as LEGO and his iPad, for hours. When it comes to getting him to focus on tasks he’s less interested in, breaking down tasks, giving him clear instructions and using visual aids helps.
Next, Dr Kimberley asks Rose to share her experience with obtaining an ADHD diagnosis and deciding whether medication was appropriate for her son. Rose says that being diagnosed was the best thing for her son because it allowed him to start taking medication that has helped him focus and to start receiving the support he needs at school.
With many years of experience working with children who have ADHD, Dr Kimberley explains Quirky Kid’s in-depth assessment process. Parents can find out more about the Conners 3 assessment tool and behavioural assessments that are used at Quirky Kid to diagnose ADHD.
What you will learn in this episode:
• How to have a child assessed for ADHD
• How obtaining a diagnosis can help a child with ADHD receive the support they need
• How to harness the hyperactivity of a child with ADHD
• How Quirky Kid can help
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