UNDERSTANDING ADHD
ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
It is a mental disorder of the neurodevelopmental type, and it is the most frequent diagnosis in children. It is usually diagnosed and treated in children around 7 years old, even though in some cases it can be diagnosed earlier.
People with ADHD manifest a persistent pattern of inattention (inability to focus) and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity (excessive physical activity not suitable to the time or environment) sudden, careless, and abrupt acts that occur without thought and interferes with functioning or development.
PREVALENCE AND CAUSES
In the past, it was considered that ADHD was more prevalent in males than females, but this theory has lost strength as time goes by.
SYMPTOMS
Children go through phases where they seem agitated, unsettled or inattentive. This is understandably normal and does not mean they definitely have ADHD.
DIAGNOSING ADHD
ADHD diagnosis can be difficult to establish. Hence, it is fundamental for medical professionals to be the ones who give an informed, definite, and early ADHD diagnosis.
TREATMENT AND CARE OPTIONS
Those involved in the life of a child or young adult with ADHD struggle along with them in many ways. Parents, teachers and peers at times become frustrated with the ADHD sufferer’s symptoms and behaviors.
WHY CHESS
- Chess helps develop focus, concentration and increased attention span.
- Chess helps develop memory and encourages the development of thinking skills, analysis, logical thinking, scientific thinking, problem solving and visual thinking or “visualization”.
- Chess helps build character and self-esteem! … Healthy self-esteem comes from knowing that you can do hard things, because you really have done them.
- Chess is an inter-generational, cross-cultural, social activity.
- Chess is a lifetime group activity as well. … there are many organized group chess activities …thousands of chess clubs with organized team events as well as more traditional tournaments.
