Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

12% of Saudi schoolchildren Suffer from ADHD | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat- Doctors have warned against negligence in treating children who are hyperactive, lack concentration and disobey their parents, as these are all symptoms of an condition that requires behavioral and medical treatment. They stated that such an illness might have an impact on children”s self-confidence and their social and academic performance at later stages in their lives.

Between 4% and 12% of schoolchildren, suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Most cases of ADHD appear in boys, whereas girls are mainly diagnosed with lack of concentration.

Dr. Sheryl Ondsan, Consultant of Child psychiatry in the psychology branch of the Sultan Bin Abdulaziz complex for human services says, &#34In their early years, children go through rebellious stages and irritability. They tend to be absentminded and in constant need of someone to remind them to finish any activities that they may have already started. During the early years of child”s life, the child will frequently use the word &#34No&#34 to express their protest to any request or order from their parents.&#34

She added, &#34Behavioral problems such as children”s absentmindedness and hyperactivity can cause some difficulties in learning. For example, reading requires concentration so that the child would be able to recognize letters and understand the words. Also being taught in a classroom requires the child”s ability to sit still, be calm and be alert for long periods. Children who suffer from ADHD are not necessarily &#34Bad Children&#34, but rather they are children who have problems in controlling their attention span, their level of activity and their involuntary actions even when they try to be in control. These children have some difficulty showing their good qualities and manners.&#34

Dr. Sheryl explains ADHD as a condition that makes it difficult for children to control their manners. Latest research emphasizes that the reason behind such a state is a deficiency in the chemical compound that is responsible for conveying messages from the brain, especially parts related to attention. Research is showing that ADHD runs in the family, and in most cases, one of the parents of the sufferer has also been diagnosed with the same disorder at a young age.

While there is no cure for ADHD, the disorder is treated by a number of medications and behavioral therapy.