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Episode 33 - Understanding adhd

Brendan Mahan joins us to discuss ADHD during the preschool years
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Understanding ADHD

Episode 33
​Defining ADHD
  • Developmental disorder
  • Neurological
  • Brain of person with ADHD is not developing as quickly as typical brain
  • Symptoms
    • Attention
    • Not deficit of attention, more inability to regulate attention
    • struggle to pay attention to what they need to pay attention to
    • Can be inattentive rather than hyperactivity
    • difficulty with planning
    • can have trouble regulating emotions
    • trouble recognizing time
Warning Signs of ADHD
  • At preschool level it is the degree signs are showing ex. Preschool children have trouble sitting for longer period of time, if a child is having a much harder time for that age then could be an indicator
  • Is child harming themselves or others at preschool?
  • Other things could look like ADHD ex. child experienced trauma and is now acting out
  • Not getting enough sleep could lead child to exhibit symptoms that look like ADHD
Benefits of Early Intervention
  • Skill building
  • Parental skills important during preschool years and teaching children how to manage their environments
    • Understand the impact of your body language
  • Often another diagnosis can accompany ADHD ex. anxiety and opposition defiance disorder
  • Diagnosis can help school plan for student and address needs
  • Can get IEP or 504 for elementary school to get support if needed for the child
Evaluating for ADHD
  • Start with pediatrician
  • Pediatrician can either start process or refer you to someone who specializes in ADHD
Treatment for ADHD
  • ADHD coaches can help children and parent with skill building
  • Coaches can help explain reasons for behavior
  • Parents then can better understand how they can support their child
  • Set realistic and clear expectations for children
  • Want to create positive rather than negative consequences
  • Should be careful about medicating too young
  • Medication could be appropriate if child could harm self or others without it
  • When medication is used, should be part of larger plan with strategies
  • Medication does not teach skills
Making Environment ADHD Friendly
  • Clear expectations ex. On way to store tell child on the way there they should be 3 steps from cart at all times. Indicate what consequence will be if not followed. When you arrive at the store, go over expectations again
  • Use counting ex. I need two boy to brush their teeth by the time I count to 6
  • Break down tasks ex. Pick up everything that is blue 
Starting Preschool
  • Look for structured, loving and nurturing environment
  • Structured important for children to know expectations and to know what success looks like
  • Also want compassion towards them when they do make mistakes
Strengths of ADHD
  • Can be very creative
  • Can make connections other people don’t make
  • Brains work very fast 
  • Are often charismatic 
  • Encourage parents to try new adventures and things
Show and Tell
  • Dopamine helps you be engaged and want to do stuff
  • ADHD brain does not have enough
  • Can make small tasks harder
  • Encouraging words can help give that dopamine
  • Arguments also provide dopamine
  • ADHD Essentials Website and Podcast

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Our Purpose
Discovery Child Development, promotes the growth of student intellectual , social and emotional development in a supportive and safe learning environment. Our project-based curriculum provides the foundation for lifelong learning and productive citizenship. We utilize evidence-based practices to create enthusiastic and motivated learners and work collaboratively with parents to nurture the whole child. Together we work to build children's positive sense of self, enthusiasm for learning and respect for others and their community.

Serving Cary and Morrisville, NC
​Since 2010


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Discovery Child Development Center
11000 Lake Grove Blvd.
Morrisville, NC 27560
919-234-0735
email: discoverycdcenter@gmail.com
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  • Home
  • About
    • At a Glance
    • Discovery Story
    • Meet Us
    • Calendar
    • Our Philosophy
    • Contact Us
    • Schedule a Tour
    • Photo Gallery
    • Parents
    • Testimonials
  • Programs
    • Young Preschool
    • Preschool
    • Pre-k
    • Kindergarten/TK
    • Summer Camps
  • Admissions
  • Podcast
  • COVID-19 RESPONSE
  • Blog