Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can clinically be described as an inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity condition.
Elizabeth Masike from Dube, who is a former professional nurse, has lived with the condition for most of her life as she and her two sons were previously diagnosed with this condition.
To give support to parents in a similar situation as hers, she also founded Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Support Group of South Africa, Soweto.
Masike says there are various ways to see a child with this condition:
- A child with ADHD has difficulty in sustaining their attention on a task or activity.
- The child tends to not finish tasks, lack concentration, is destructive, often loses things, cannot tolerate change and has a short attention span.
- They normally blurt out answers before questions have been completed especially in class, have trouble waiting for their turn, do not listen or follow instruction and they find it hard to obey rules.
- Further they want their demands to be met immediately, they act and react before thinking and are easily frustrated.
- Children diagnosed with this condition cannot sit still, they run rather than walk, like fidgeting, disturbs other children and they often talk excessively.
Masike says with research she has done over the years, she has found out that this disorder is hereditary and it has been thought to involve minimal brain dysfunction.
“The negative responses by parents, teachers and peers affect the child’s impulsivity and hyperactivity and may contribute to hurting feelings of the child and their self-esteem. Possible biological influence on impulsivity, hyperactivity and attention combined with attempts to control these children may lead to their being rejected and resulting in low self-esteem,” she said.
Masike fears that most of the community’s parents and professional do not know or understand these conditions hence there is a tendency to ignore it.
She said observations have been in the black culture that people sometimes feel that those with this disorder are lazy, naughty and stubborn, but awareness is the first priority in order to understand, support, guide and assist the children to reach full potential.
