ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Page 18 - deCemBer 22 , 2016 - martensville messenger
Provincial Politics with Murray Mandryk
Tis ’ the Season
Tis ’ the season of giving and , for this political columnist , a little atonement for all of the nasty things we ’ ve written . What better excuse than Christmas to give our Saskatchewan politicians overdue credit for what might have been overlooked . So , in the true meaning of Christmas , let ’ s hand out the presents .
There is a reason why Premier Brad Wall , after nine years in power , is still the most popular Canadian premier and why he secured his largest majority in April . Wall has a true knack for doing and saying the right things , something he truly demonstrated in August when he condemned the racist social media posts in the wake of the Colten Boushie shooting death . This may not have been an especially popular thing to say in some circles , but it was true leadership . In fact , taking on the worst in all of us is greater leadership than Wall demonstrated in being the lone hold on the Prime Minster Justin Trudeau ’ s carbon pricing . Wall deserves credit for taking on Trudeau because it was necessary to do so , although it might not have been his toughest choice .
However deserving of a present are the past and interim NDP leaders , Cam Broten and Trent Wotherspoon , largely , for their dogged pursuit of the truth on the Global Transportation Hub ( GTH ) land purchase mess . It is never easy taking on a popular premier and even more difficult when you are taking on his government on a complex story with serious implications . As is often the case when it comes to the unpleasant role of an Opposition leader ,
ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Submitted by Wendy Kritzer BSW , MSW , RSW
ADHD ( Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ) is a brain disorder , which has an individual struggling with a sequence of inattention and / or hyperactivityimpulsivity that gets in the way with functioning or development . ADHD is a common disorder that affects approximately 10 % of school-aged children and boys are diagnosed with ADHD three times more than girls . Individuals diagnosed with ADHD act without thinking , struggle with being hyperactive , and struggle to focus . These individuals know what is expected of them but struggle due to the facts they cannot sit still , cannot focus on details , and act impulsively . For a person to receive a diagnosis of ADHD , the symptoms of inattention and / or hyperactivity-impulsivity must be chronic or longlasting , decrease the person ’ s functioning , and cause the person to fall behind normal development for his or her age .
There are three areas that are seen as the main difficulties in having ADHD , which are inattention , hyperactivity , and impulsivity .
Symptoms of inattention may often : -Overlook or miss details , make careless mistakes in schoolwork , at work or during other activities -Have problems sustaining attention in tasks or play , including conversations , lectures , or lengthy reading -Seem not to listen when spoken to directly -Not following through on instructions and fail to finish schoolwork , chores , or duties in the workplace or start tasks but quickly lose focus and get easily sidetracked -Have problems organizing tasks and activities , such as what to do in sequence , keeping materials and belongings in order , having messy work and poor time management , and failing to meet deadlines -Avoid or dislike tasks that require sustained mental effort , such as schoolwork or homework , or for teens and older adults , preparing reports , completing forms or reviewing lengthy papers it was tough but necessary work . It is never easy taking on a popular premier and even more difficult when you are taking on his government on a complex story with serious implications . As is often the case when it comes to the unpleasant role peaking of tough but necessary work , Finance Minister Kevin Doherty deserves something in his stocking for being forthright about the necessary steps needed to deal with the billion-dollar deficit in 2016- 17 budgets . Again , this is not a pleasant matter , but it ’ s always better when politicians are straight up with the public .
For similar reasons , let ’ s hear it for Deputy Premier and Education Minister Don Morgan , who was tasked this year with setting the table for delivery of a new governance system for education . Appointing former civil servant Dan Perrins was the right course to take , although not necessarily the easy way out because Perrins may not give the government what it wants to hear . Past and present health ministers Dustin Duncan and Jim Reiter faced challenges in their bid to restructure health regions . To undertake such changes when you are already dealing with a huge ministry that has a boatload of problems is more than a little ambitious .
When it comes to doing the right thing , let us hear it for past and present social service ministers Donna Harpauer and Tina Beaudry-Mellor who reversed direction on program cuts to those receiving disability payments
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-Lose things necessary for tasks or activities , such as school supplies , pencils , books , tools , wallets , keys , paperwork , eyeglasses , and cell phones -Easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli -Forgetful in daily activities , such as chores , errands , returning calls , and keeping appointments
Symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity may often : -Fidget and squirm in their seats -Leave their seats in situations when staying seated is expected , such as in the classroom or the office -Run or dash around or climb in situations where it is inappropriate or , in teens and adults , often feel restless -Be unable to play or engage in hobbies quietly -Be constantly in motion or “ on the go ,” or act as if “ driven by a motor ” -Talk nonstop -Blurt out an answer before a question has been completed , finish other people ’ s sentences , or speak without waiting for a turn in conversation -Have trouble waiting his or her turn -Interrupt or intrude on others , for example in conversations , games , or activities while also receiving some form of social assistance . It ’ s all too easy for politicians to simply blunder ahead with the wrong decision . In the spirit of Christmas kindness , let us hear for those politicians who do the right and kind thing .
One other such Sask . Party government politician is Justice Minister Gord Wyant , who not only reversed himself on an inadequate piece of legislation but also proved to be voice of reason on the GTH land deal . McMorris , not for acknowledging his impaired driving charge , but for and dealing with the embarrassment with grace humility .
A very Merry Christmas to all .
If you feel your child has symptoms of ADHD then a diagnosis of ADHD requires a comprehensive evaluation by a licensed clinician , such as a pediatrician , psychologist , or psychiatrist with expertise in ADHD . Investigating this possible diagnosis for your children will ABOVE : Wendy Kritzer assist them in supports whether they are medical or strategies / plans put in place to help them be successful in school , social situations , and life .
If you have further questions concerning attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , please email me at thecounsellingcorner @ sasktel . net .
I will be covering bereavement and grief in our next discussion . If you have topics that you would like discussed , please feel free to email me at thecounsellingcorner @ sasktel . net . Until next time – Wendy From The Counselling Corner ( Information from National Institute of Mental Health & Kids Health )
May your hearts and homes be filled with warmth during this Christmas Season and all throughout the coming Year
Merry Christmas to all ! Nancy Heppner , MLA for Martensville-Warman www . nancyheppner . com