Christmas is coming………Can you spare a special thought?  

 

Christmas plans are well under way in the school timetable by now and unfortunately this can lead to overwhelming interruption of the school routine.  For children living with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder this time of year may be especially difficult and can cause so much confusion and anxiety.  

 

So many different issues to deal with, suddenly there's a change in the children's school regime, which so many children with ADHD become agitated by - the children may have Christmas concert practice instead of assembly, they may have the nativity play rehearsal in the afternoon instead of the usual Physical Educational lesson - a pretty unstructured period and possibly at a difficult time of day for many children living with ADHD, all adding to the demands on already pressurized teachers.  

 

Also the children will probably have lots of letters to take home at this time of year.  For children with ADHD letters themselves can be problematic! There will be requests for donations for the forthcoming Christmas school fayre, the costumes needed for the nativity play, lines for the concert to be learnt off by heart.  

 

How many times do letters get forgotten or mislaid despite the reminder at the end of school to take them home?   This in itself instantly means children living with ADHD are at a disadvantage.  Costume's not sent to school, lines not learnt, all on top of probably arriving late for practice and the last to be ready.   

 

 

Together with the change in routine at home too, the numerous shopping expeditions - stressful generally for all families, but consider it combined with excessive impulsivity and the 'need to have it NOW' demand. There will be numerous invitations to the school disco's and parties, together with family outings to the pantomime… exciting, stimulating occasions but often at a time when parents and teachers are becoming exhausted and may just not have that usual tolerance and compassion.

 

Some children living with ADHD may already have a pretty low self-esteem and negative attitude to school prior to the forgotten letters and mislaid lines. They may be very repetitive, 'in your face' and miss vital social cues, which can be irritating. They may already find it hard to listen, interpret and remember instructions.  

 

We should never underestimate how uncomfortable life can be for children and their families living with ADHD and together with all the excitement and disruption in routine is there any wonder that children present more erratic behaviour in the lead up to and over the festive season?   

 

Close liaison with teachers is always valuable but it is essential in the run up to the festive activities and although changes in routine are totally unavoidable at this busy time it helps immensely if 'normal' routines are maintained at home as far as possible, at least until the end of the school term.   

 

The pressures of Christmas are largely unavoidable but with a little awareness, determination and empathy we can anticipate and perhaps even avoid some of the difficulties and confrontations that so often blight the Christmas of children and their families living with ADHD. So please spare a little consideration and enjoy exploring the benefits.  

 

 

Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas, thinking of you all.

Michelle Richardson (ADHD Liaison Nurse)