Jakarta, Kartunet.com — The term 'hyperactive' is essentially derived from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). ADHD is defined as an increase in motor activity to a certain degree, leading to behavioral disturbances. Some characteristics of hyperactivity in terms of activity include:
a. Often feeling restless, evident in fidgeting hands and feet when seated.
b. Often leaving their seat in class or other situations where remaining seated is expected.
c. Often running about or climbing excessively in inappropriate situations (in adults or adolescents, this is usually limited to certain emotional states).
d. Often having difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
e. Often acting as if 'driven by a motor'.
f. Often talking excessively.
Based on the hyperactive characteristics mentioned above, there are various therapies or management approaches, which include:
- Medication or pharmacological therapy, which involves treatment using drugs. This therapy should primarily serve as a support to control the potential emergence of uncontrolled hyperactive impulses.
- Nutritional and dietary therapy, including maintaining a balanced carbohydrate diet, managing digestive disorders (Intestinal Permeability or "Leaky Gut Syndrome"), and addressing food allergies or other adverse food reactions. The Feingold Diet can be used as an alternative therapy reported to be quite effective.
- Sensory integration therapy. Sensory integration is the organization of information through various types of sensory stimuli, including touch, movement, body awareness and gravity, sight, hearing, taste, and smell, which are highly useful for producing meaningful responses.
- Play therapy, which is crucial for developing skills, motor abilities, interests, and fostering familiarity with competitive and cooperative environments during group activities.
It is important to remember that managing hyperactive children at school or at home cannot be equated with providing remedial support for general learning difficulties, as is common in schools. Before implementing educational approaches for hyperactive children, therapy tailored to the child's specific issues must first be carried out. Naturally, active parental involvement is essential in the child's developmental process. (Danu)