Oftentimes, children display a range of impulsive behaviors, such as talking back to a parent or teacher, having difficulty paying attention, experiencing problems with organization, etc. Some children may only experience these concerns short-term, but for other children it may be an ongoing issue that lasts for several years. Children engage in these inattentive and impulsive behaviors for a variety of reasons, such as not getting enough attention at home due to parents having to work. However, some children have what is called Attention Deficit -Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which is a diagnosis sometimes given to children after psychological testing. ADHD affects not only the child, but everyone who is involved in the caregiving of that child, and therefore therapy for an individual and their family may be helpful for a child diagnosed with ADHD. It is important to know that with the appropriate intervention, the symptoms of ADHD do subside and improvement can made through behavioral therapy, as well as medication management if necessary. The first step to knowing whether or not your child has impulse control concerns or problems paying attention is to bring them in to a therapist! Psychologists and mental health therapists are trained to identify and assess these behaviors.
If you or someone you know has the concerns stated above, there are many options available, including professional counseling and assessment services. Please call us at (215) 487-1330 or email us at Greenridge@intercommunityaction.org for more information about our counseling services.
Author: Kelsey Dailey, M.S.
References:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml
