| TRAINING
On 25th January, South West Placements provided
training for their staff and foster carers on
‘Understanding Children with ADHD and Asperger’s
Syndrome’. The training was run by Lynn
Martin from Quality
Training UK.
Here are the main points for you to remember
from the training. If you did not attend the training
and require more information, please ring the
office and we can point you in the direction of
the Workbook from the training course and further
courses.
ADHD
ADHD is typically defined as inattention, impulsivity
and hyperactivity. There are a number of criteria
which a child has to have before being diagnosed
with ADHD.
Some of these criteria include the child having:
• Lack of foresight- ability to predict
results or consequences
• Poor hindsight- trouble learning from
mistakes
• Impulsivity - reacting for the moment/interrupting/excessive
talking
• Hyperactivity- excessive running or climbing/fidgeting
• Poor Organisation/ easily distracted
• Trouble returning to a task/ can’t
follow through
• Poor sense of time
• Inability to ‘self talk’ through
problems
• Poor sense of awareness
• Poor reading of ‘social clues’
• Inconsistent work or behaviour patterns
• Trouble with transitions
• Difficulties functioning as frequently
overwhelmed
• Inflexible and explosive reactions
• Thrill seeking behaviour
• Sense of failure to achieve goals
• Difficulty waiting turn
Supporting a child with ADHD:
• Seek to Understand-first understand,
then react!
• Listen carefully, repeat as acknowledgement,
then respond.
• Try to find a reason for their behaviour-
it may be an irrational reason but remember that
a child with ADHD, acts for the moment
• Don’t take it personally- this is
a disability. You just happen to be there.
• Involve the child in the problem solving
process and planning
• Try to give the child choices- empowerment
• Negotiate
• Keep expectations reasonable
• Use stickers and reward systems- Give
immediate feedback
• Teach the child to react to the word ‘STOP’.
Then take time to defuse the situation, and finally
deal with it.
• Pick your fights! Don’t react when
you know the child wont understand.
• Make sure you have your own support network
for your own time out.
• Hate ADHD, not the person with it!
ASPERGER’S SYNDROME
Asperger’s Syndrome is linked to Autistic
Spectrum Disorder. Children with Asperger’s
Syndrome are of average to above average intelligence,
some with unusual gifts and creativity.
The following difficulties are common in children
with Asperger’s Syndrome:
• Severe difficulties with social interaction
• Inability to interpret thoughts and emotions
of others or experience empathy.
• All absorbing narrow interest
• Imposition of routines and interests
• Speech and language problems
• Non-verbal communication problems
• Clumsiness in movement
Supporting a child with Asperger’s Syndrome:
• Stick to routines- if you need to change
them repeat them repeatedly, to support the child
to grasp them.
• Be patient- narrow interest and obsessive
conversations can be very trying.
• Be cautious- understand the child’s
difficulties in social situations. Don’t
avoid them, but plan them and be prepared to leave
when the child needs to.
• Help the child develop social ‘scripts’
through repetition. They will not have spontaneous
flow of conversation.
• Focus on one thing at a time.
• Be clear about what you are saying. A
child with Asperger’s Syndrome will not
understand cliches, jokes or puns. They will take
the things you say literally.
• When you feel frustrated, focus on the
skills and gifts that the child does have.
• Make sure you have your own support network
for your own time out.
Recommended Reading:
‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the
Night-Time’ by Mark Haddon. 2003.
Red Fox Books.
‘1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for
Children 2-12’ by Dr Thomas Phelan.
‘ADHD: Attention-deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder in Children and Adults
by PH Wender. 2002. Oxford University Press.
K
Social Worker
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