Continuing, as we promised, deepening the issue, worrying, of ADHD diagnosis and its possible treatments non-pharmacological, let's interview the psychologist Cristina Silvente today, who, will reveal to us possible causes of the lack of concentration or the "excess" of children's activity.
Cristina Silvente has a degree in Psychology, specializing in Health Psychology and Preventive Medicine, as well as Conflict Resolution and Emergency Psychology. He has been part of the Emergency Psychological Care Service team and is also a therapist. Your complete training and experience can be consulted in full on their website. She is also the author of several books, among them the recently published "The forgotten voices" and is one of the specialists that Babies has already interviewed and more in relation to issues of child psychology.
How should ADHD be evaluated?
It is essential to make an evaluation. And that means knowing the life story of that boy or girl, traumatic events, health, family, social environment and school. Recently, someone posted a story comparing the statistics of the US (7.6% I think) and France (0.5%). In France a global assessment was made and an intervention was also done at all levels. It is important to do so because there are many factors that can affect a child not paying attention or not standing still.
Of course, circumstances greatly influence behavior.
I have not yet seen a child that what he did or his behavior was not normal in circumstances that should not be normal.
The diagnosis of ADHD should be made by a professional with a broad vision or a multidisciplinary team.
Are there diagnoses that can cover another condition?
There is a high percentage of children with High Capacities who have previously been diagnosed with ADHD. And more and more adults are diagnosed and medicated with ADHD.
Does the school also influence?
The school is not adapted to most children's needs. And each time they start earlier, which means they have less "free space" time. The contact with nature, having time, laughing, jumping, crazy, exploring ... is that even cities are not ready for normal childhood.
Current life in general is not adapted to children: they can only have freedom in confined spaces in a limited time.
What factors can trigger concentration problems?
Even a possible vitamin D deficiency should be assessed, since its lack can cause a lack of concentration. I am now meeting mothers with insufficient hormone. We should ask ourselves if our children see the Sun sufficiently.
It is said that the excess of sugars and additives produce hyperactivity, I have no proven information, but I do think that everything influences. The lack of certain nutrients and vitamins do affect the central nervous system (such as Vit B12).
But there are not only physical factors that can influence a low concentration, right?
Of course: from a great imagination, or learn fast, disinterest in matter, feeling coerced, frustrated, bored; until being depressed, having gone through some shocking experience or having been testimony: a death of a relative, a surgical intervention, an aggression, an accident, a change of residence ... But also a disease or disorder: anemia, diabetes, epilepsy, or more serious
Will emotions also influence? Many emotional factors may not be seen with the naked eye or not related to an attention deficit. There are many facts in the lives of children that adults do not give importance and for them they can have a very big impact, and leave their tonsil (Limbic System) too activated. And then the learnings, the stimuli, are not recorded in the neocortex, but instead pass directly to the reptilian system: fight reaction, flight or freeze. A child can behave aggressively, can move a lot, or become passive. These reactions are not controllable by reason. How do you learn like this?
And the psychological factors?
If, when collecting the story, we see that this boy or girl has had important experiences, a temporary separation from the parents, the death of a relative, a surgical intervention or a serious illness, an environment of family tension, or abuse or sexual abuse, They should try first.
In addition, one thing is that a child cannot concentrate and another that gets bored in class.
Many children only show ADHD at school. The phrase "what you are interested in if you pay attention" is very typical.
So?
Parents also need support because most of the time they don't know what to do. They are not taken into account except to remind them to set more limits. If a child does not stop, it is not because of his neocortex, it is because of his limbic or reptilian system, then there are no instructions, rewards or punishments that are worthwhile. You have to go to the root. And evaluate well that there is no neurological disorder behind, but evaluating all the factors.
We thank the psychologist Cristina Silvente having returned to Babies and more to grant us this interview I'm sure it will make you see in a different way, much more global, the possible problems or situations that may be related to diagnoses of ADHD.
