‘ATTENTION’ FOR LIFE
‘ATTENTION’ FOR LIFE
Prof. Dr. Eyüp Sabri Ercan, Chairman of the Executive Board of Turkish Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, pointed out that genetics played 80-90% in development of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, and if untreated, it resulted in many problems including academic failure and substance dependence.
Izmir University of Economics hosted in-service training for 900 teachers on attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. The training, organized by Konak Guidance and Research Center, lasted for 2 days. Prof. Dr. Ercan, in his speech, stated that attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder was not caused by parents treating their child wrong. He said, “This disorder does not develop overnight. Genetic inheritance is a major indicator whether the individual will develop attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder in the future or not. Other than heredity, expectant mother being subject to tobacco products or lead, and alcohol may also trigger the disorder. Teachers can easily identify kids with hyperactivity disorder at school. These children are often labeled as ‘restless’, ‘energetic’, 'fidgety'. We get more successful results when parents, teachers, and guidance teachers act together."
‘Do not give up treatment’
Prof. Dr. Ercan, who mentioned that sometimes parents felt worried about medicinal treatment and gave up the treatment all together, stated that medicine taken under doctor’s orders was not harmful, but it prevented individuals from many undesired outcomes. Prof. Dr. Ercan said that if untreated, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder resulted in many problems including academic failure, problematic relations, legal problems, tobacco, alcohol, and substance dependence, poor financial choices, unhealthy life style, or even death in the upcoming years.
‘Don’t be late’
Prof. Dr. Ercan pointed out that early diagnosis, maintaining the treatment, and being conscious about the disorder was very efficient in coping with it. Prof. Dr. Ercan indicated that there was a difference of attention deficit in the interest area and in the assignment area. “Child may be very attentive while watching TV or working on the computer, but fails to give the same attention while doing homework. He/she drops pencil on the floor, cannot sit still, and finds it difficult to complete the homework. However, if there is a reward/punishment as a result, only then the child may give proper attention,” said the Professor.
