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10 Reasons Nannies Simply Should Not Lie to Parents

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Erin

Though there are times in every nanny’s career when stretching the truth seems preferable to facing a difficult situation with absolute honesty, there are an endless number of reasons why honesty is always the best policy. Here are ten of the things nannies should take into consideration before passing off a fib as the truth.

1. Protecting Trust – Discovering that you’ve been dishonest, even about something that seems inconsequential, is almost certain to negatively impact the level of trust and comfort between you and your employer. Once damaged, this trust can be difficult or even impossible to regain.
2. No One Benefits From a Lie – Though a fib might seem like a quick fix in a sticky situation, it’s important to remember that presenting falsehoods as truth will not benefit anyone involved in the long run.
3. Problems That Aren’t Addressed Don’t Get Solved – Lying about your working conditions or the behavior
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   of your charges may seem like the best way to protect your employment, but untenable conditions that you’ve kept hidden will only cause you to burn out eventually. Rather than lying in the interest of preventing an awkward scene, it’s best to confront problems head-on.

4. You Have a Checkered Past – Being up front and honest about a transgression in the distant past might not affect a prospective employer’s decision to hire you, but finding out that you were dishonest about it after the fact is almost certain to damage their trust to the point of dismissing you.
5. Guarding Your Reputation – The most important and valuable asset that any professional nanny has in her possession is her reputation. Carefully protecting your references and your reputation is the best way to ensure that you’re able to secure a post in the future, and being dishonest is the quickest way to tarnish that reputation.
6. The Nanny Cam Factor – With today’s technological advances in the field of surveillance, cameras can be hidden in the tiniest of spaces or disguised as everyday objects. Lying about your behavior after being questioned ruins any chance you may have to redeem yourself, especially if your employer has photographic evidence on hand.
7. From the Mouths of Babes – There’s a reason why television shows and bestselling books are dedicated to the funny things that children say; kids simply aren’t known for keeping secrets well. Your charges are almost certain to clue your employers in if you are lying, especially if they’re questioned directly.
8. There’s Always Evidence Left Behind – Unless you’re a criminal mastermind and have an infallible memory, you’re likely to leave behind a few whopping clues after delivering an untruth. Telling the truth, confessing immediately and being honest upon confrontation are the best ways to protect your post and your reputation.
9. Mistakes Are Easier to Forgive Than Dishonesty – If you’ve made an honest mistake, without malice or nefarious motives, your employers are likely to forgive you. As long as you’ve been honest, that is. Lying about a mistake only compounds it and makes your motives look questionable, so it’s best to come clean as soon as possible.
10. Their Children Are Not Your Children – Lying about adhering to parenting tactics or styles that you don’t agree with is one of the quickest ways to find yourself out of a job. It’s important to remember that, as long as those tactics aren’t dangerous or abusive, their children are not your children. Decisions about their upbringing are not yours to make.

Most parent struggle mightily with the guilt and worry that accompanies leaving their children in the care of a stranger. Damaging the trust that they have placed in you by being dishonest is almost certain to make it impossible for them to ever feel comfortable leaving their little ones and will inevitably lead to their decision to let you go. Adopting an always-honest policy is the best way to ensure that your job and your charges are safe.

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Dyslexia – What Parents and Nannies Need to Know

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Erin

Learning disabilities affect between 5% and 10% of American students; the most common of these disorders is dyslexia. For parents and nannies of dyslexic students, understanding and helping kids to manage their disability can sometimes be a confusing and frustrating process. When parents and nannies are able to help dyslexic children learn effectively, it’s rewarding for everyone.

Recognizing the Signs of Dyslexia and Getting a Diagnosis

Impairment resulting from dyslexia can have mild to severe effects, causing the signs to vary from case to case. In early childhood, some of the most commonly reported signs of dyslexia are delayed speech and difficulty with pronunciation, trouble connecting letters with their phonetic sounds and problems mastering basic skills such as the alphabet, colors and numbers. There is also a correlation between dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, with up to one quarter of dyslexic students also showing marked signs of ADHD. As kids get older, this can manifest through consistent trouble with schoolwork, difficulty following a sequence of instructions and confusion when telling left

from right.

In many cases, signs of dyslexia go unnoticed until a child begins school. Dyslexia has no affect on a child’s intelligence level, only the way that he receives and processes information. As a result, parents may be surprised to discover that the bright, articulate child they’re raising has marked difficulty learning fundamental skills. Early detection and assistance are of the utmost importance, as emotional problems can result from feelings of failure and frustration that accompany the disorder. As difficulty learning to read becomes more obvious, a dyslexic child can feel isolated from and inferior to their classmates. Parents, caregivers and teachers often mistakenly believe that he’s lazy or disinterested in schoolwork; the resulting punishments can cause him to act out even further as he feels that he’s being punished for something he cannot control.

Managing and Thriving With Dyslexia

There is no known cure for dyslexia, though early intervention and a strong support system can greatly improve a child’s performance and confidence level. Parents, educators and caregivers that work with the child and his learning specialist have a significant impact on the child’s performance.

The majority of dyslexic children are capable of learning to read and can remain in a traditional classroom setting, though they will invariably require some degree of assistance and coaching. Because dyslexia is recognized and covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act, impaired students are entitled to additional support and the allotment of extra time to complete tests and quizzes. Parents and nannies should be as vocal as necessary when it comes to ensuring that a child is receiving the help he needs.

Conclusion

The most beneficial thing that the parents and nannies of a dyslexic child can do is to educate themselves as much as possible on the subject. Being properly informed is the first step to ensuring that a child has access to every available resource and is being properly accommodated in a classroom setting. Learning about dyslexia can also help parents and nannies to avoid losing their temper with a struggling child, and to understand the importance of positive feedback. By figuring out what works best for the child and providing an unwavering support system, you can help to ensure that he reaches his full potential.

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10 Things a Nanny Might Refuse to Do

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Erin

Hiring a nanny can be a complicated task, even for those who have done so before. For first time nanny employers without a clear idea of what the job typically entails, the journey is often significantly more difficult. Here are ten of the things that a nanny might refuse to do during a discussion about her job responsibilities.

1. Work Without a Nanny Agreement – A written contract, or nanny agreement, is a document designed to protect both parties from disputes over duties and compensation in the future. Employers that won’t draft a nanny agreement may find it almost impossible to find a qualified candidate that’s willing to accept a post.
2. Accept “Under the Table” Pay – The IRS simplified the tax laws for household employees in 1994, but even the new codes are quite complex. As a result, many employers and some nannies prefer for all wages to be paid “off the books.” This undeclared and untaxed income, however, places both nannies and the families that employ them in danger of serious penalties; most reputable nannies will not accept these illegal arrangements.
3. Prepare Meals For the Entire Family – Parents hiring a nanny for the first time are often under the misconception that nanny duties include preparing meals for everyone in the household, not just the children they care for. This is actually not the case, and many nannies will not accept mealtime responsibilities for the adults.
4. Laundry – While most nannies have no problem handling their charges’, parents shouldn’t assume that they’ll be willing to shoulder the burden of keeping everyone’s washing done.
5. Household Chores – Household chores that aren’t directly related to the care of her charges are never a nanny’s responsibility, unless specifically agreed upon in a written agreement and fairly compensated. It’s important to note, however, that these increased duties and wages will change your nanny’s job title to that of a household manager.
6. Accept a Post With No Benefits – Even in today’s unsteady job market, most nannies will not accept employment with a family that doesn’t provide at least some benefits. Paid vacation and a contribution to health insurance premiums are great incentives to take a position.
7. Participate in a Nanny Share – Nanny shares have become increasingly more popular as the economic downturns forced families to re-evaluate their household spending. While some nannies are perfectly willing to work for more than one family at a time, most are reluctant to take on a position that requires reporting to two families.
8. Care For a Newborn – As with most other job fields, there are nannies who specialize in certain areas. While there are those who prefer to work with newborn infants, there are many others who will not take on the care of an infant until she’s at least three months old.
9. Discipline Kids Physically – Nannies should never physically discipline their charges. Families that practice corporal punishment are likely to have a difficult time finding a nanny who will agree to their methods. The potential for allegations of abuse paired with the common belief that children shouldn’t be struck makes the vast majority of nannies refuse to resort to physical discipline.
10. Use Her Own Vehicle – Live-out nannies understand that their transportation to and from work is their own responsibility. However, if you expect her to transport your children from one place to another or run errands, be prepared to either provide a vehicle for her to do so or reimburse her for mileage.

Though many first-time nanny employers find the idea of a private in-home childcare provider attractive because of the misapprehension that they’ll take over the running of a household, this simply is not the case for the majority of post-seeking nannies. A conversation about the expectations of both parties is essential during the interview process, and is the best way to prevent turnover and disappointment in the future.

 

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10 Reasons to Introduce Your Nanny to Your Neighbors

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Erin

One of the things that many families don’t consider when engaging a full-time nanny is the necessity of introducing her to the neighbors that they might encounter during the course of their work. For live-in nannies, these introductions are

especially important in close communities; here are ten of the reasons why.

1. So They Recognize Her – In neighborhoods with an active community watch program or similar organizations, introducing your new nanny to a few of your neighbors is a great way
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   to let them know that she’s not an outsider or someone up to no good.

2. For Playdate Purposes – Many communities host playgroups and arrange individual playdates with neighborhood children; if you’re interested in participating in these programs but know that you’ll be away from home during the times they meet, introducing your nanny to the other parents and care providers that participate can help her establish a presence there.
3. Emergency Contact Reasons – If one of your close neighbors is also an emergency contact on your nanny’s list, it’s important that she meet them; in the event of an emergency, it’s likely to be difficult to speak calmly and candidly to a complete stranger.
4. Because Your Children Spend a Lot of Time Outdoors – Though it may seem completely foreign to those who live in large cities, there are neighborhoods where children spend the bulk of a nice day playing outside. If this is the case in your area, it’s best for your nanny to become acquainted with not only your neighbors on either side, but also the parents of any of your children’s neighborhood playmates. Should a child fall on your property or otherwise need assistance, it’s easier to find the parents if she knows who they are and where they live.
5. Because She’s New in Town – A nanny who is new in town and unfamiliar with the area is likely to feel more comfortable and is less likely to suffer from burn out if she meets people outside of your home to interact with during her free time. By introducing her to neighbors, you can help facilitate new friendships that could prove to be very valuable for her.
6. Preventing “Nanny Theft” – In communities with a high concentration of parents that employ nannies for childcare, it’s no secret that the competition can be downright cutthroat to get the best possible nanny. By directly introducing your nanny to other neighborhood parents, you might be reducing the likelihood of them attempting to “steal” her.
7. Because You Have a Neighbor on the Sex Offender Registry – If there’s a registered sex offender living close to your home, it’s a good idea to introduce your nanny to other neighborhood parents and point out the offender so that they know to be especially cautious in that person’s presence. For offenders that aren’t allowed near playgrounds and schools, being able to recognize them can make it easier for nannies to report suspicious behavior or violations of conditions.
8. You’re Close Friends With a Nearby Neighbor – Friendships with people who live very close can often be almost familial; introducing your nanny to any such friends that you have can reduce the awkwardness that could result from an unannounced visit while you’re out of the home.
9. For Accountability Purposes – Introducing a new nanny to your neighbors helps her to understand that you’re part of a tightly-knit community. As a result, she’s less likely to be negligent or inattentive during playground visits or outings within the neighborhood, knowing that she’s being closely observed.
10. Because They’re Her Neighbors, Too – One of the biggest reasons to introduce a live-in nanny to your neighbors is that they’re her neighbors, as well. By meeting her new neighbors and being made to feel like part of the community, your nanny is less likely to feel like an intruder in your home and more able to see it as her home, too.

Being an active part of your community means that your nanny is almost sure to be approached by your neighbors, whether as part of a friendly introduction or the stern inquiry of a person they’re not familiar with. By helping her to build relationships with your neighbors, you’re helping to ease your nanny through the transition of a new job and new residence, which will benefit not only her well-being, but could benefit the well-being of your children as well.

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How to Prevent Choking in Babies

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Erin

Nothing is scarier than having your baby or the baby in your care in immediate danger. As much as we worry about all the things that could happen, facing them in a critical moment is even worse. The best way to calm your fears against the unknown is to educate yourself on what to do in every situation and taking preventative measures.

Why Babies Choke

Babies and small children are notorious for sticking anything and everything in their little mouths. As much as you baby and

child proof and remove small items from the environment that they might get their chubby hands on, they always seem to find something that was missed. But although foreign objects are a real concern, the main cause of choking for infants and small children is food. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one child dies every five days in the U.S. from choking on food. The best way to avoid choking on food in babies is to follow a few safety tips: -Do not switch to solid foods too soon. Make sure your child has the motor skills to handle swallowing solid foods. Babies should be able to sit well when supported, have head control, have a growing appetite, show interest in eating food and have a diminishing extrusion reflex before introducing solid foods. While most children are ready to eat solid foods by four to six months of age, many pediatricians recommend waiting until a child is six months old before introducing solid foods. -Avoid distracted eating. One of the reason infants choke even on liquids is that they become distracted during feedings. Make feeding time a calm and relaxing experience, free from distractions. When in a room where adults are chatting, the television is on and people are walking around, a baby is likely to be distracted and to lose focus on eating. -Serve foods that are appropriate in size and texture. Once you’ve moved on from pureed foods, you’ll want to be sure you are serving soft, bite-sized foods, Make sure all solid foods are less than ½” in diameter and stay away from slippery or dry hard-to-chew foods. Popcorn, hot dogs, peanut butter and grapes are choking hazards for babies

and young children. Kitchen shears can help parents and nannies cut foods easily into appropriate sizes. –Remove hidden hazards from the home. Before your baby is mobile, you’ll want to crawl around on the floor to experience the world from his vantage point. Look for items like rubber ends of door stoppers or splintering chair legs that could pose a choking risk. Remove small toys and other potential choking hazards from your baby’s environment. Even with the best prevention, choking can still happen. Knowing what to do in a choking emergency is the best prevention of brain damage and death. The faster the object is removed, the less chance any permanent harm will come from the incident. Make sure all caregivers for your child have the proper CPR and choking first aid training, including all family members. It could literally be a matter of life and death.

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10 Fun Rhyming Games to Play With Kids

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Erin

Vocabulary building and sound recognition can be developed naturally and with a healthy dose of fun via the use of rhyming games. Kids can learn to identify words that sound alike, their meanings and spellings by turning the learning experience into a playtime activity. Here are ten fun rhyming games that parents and nannies can play with children.

1. Draw the Rhyme – Draw pictures of items that rhyme. Parents and nannies can participate and invite their kids to identify the objects in a picture, and say their names together to form a rhyme, or compose a poem that uses the words.
2. I Spy a Rhyme – Similar to the traditional I Spy game, participants declare, “I spy something that rhymes with …”. Everyone must look to find an object that rhymes with that word, and the first person to guess correctly earns a point.
3. Alphabet Rhyme – Each player is given a letter of the alphabet and must choose a word starting with that letter. Then an opposing player must guess a rhyming word within a specified time. The next player must thing of another word beginning with the same letter as the rhyming word, and so on.
4. Rhymes-go-Round – The first player picks a word, and each person after them must say a word that rhymes with it until someone is stumped. The person who is stumped gets one point. In this rhyming game, the player with the lowest score wins the game.
5. Rhyme Ends In … – Give kids an ending sound and invite them to add letters at the front to form words that rhyme. “These words rhyme, ending in “-at”, for instance, and children can form words like bat, cat, and mat.
6. Find the Rhyme at Story Time – Read children a story, and let them shout out the words they hear from the story that rhyme. This helps tune a child’s ears to the phonology of words.
7. Flash Card Rhymes – Using flash cards with images of various objects, encourage kids to pick out pairs of flash cards that have rhyming words depicted in them.  Reading and phonetic identification are developed as kids make the connections.
8. Rhyming Basket – Children are given a basket filled with assorted objects and invited to take out the one that rhymes with a word they are given. The first child to empty the basket is the winner.
9. Color Rhymes – In this game, kids are to draw a picture of something that rhymes with the color crayon they are given. For instance, a blue shoe, a red bed, a green bean, yellow Jello would be winning combinations.
10. Treasure Hunt Rhyme – Place objects around the room and have the children pick up the object that rhymes with the word you give them. A prize is located inside or under one of the objects, which they need to locate by correctly following your rhyming clues.

When learning is combined with fun, kids can learn much more, faster. When you play rhyming games, you’ll have a perfect example of that truth.

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When it Comes to Childcare You Get What You Pay For

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Erin

The old saying that you get what you pay for refers to the principle that quality costs money, and anything inexpensive is of inferior quality. That’s probably true more often than not, and when it comes to childcare, it’s no different. Getting the best care available for your child can be an expensive proposition, and few parents like to cut corners. Still, economic realities often force them to look at alternatives. Here are ten reasons why you get what you pay for when it comes to childcare:

1. Training – Caregivers who have formal training command a higher salary than those who don’t. A nanny can be hired for as little as minimum wage, but that won’t get you someone with an education background or even much, if any, experience.
2. Experience – As with any other occupation, experience has value, and value-added translates to a higher salary. The more competent a caregiver is in her job, the more she is worth to the family who hires her to care for their child.
3. Education – College degrees or certification in a child care-related discipline is worth quite a bit. This represents not only extensive training in child care, but a dedication to a career as a caregiver. In other words, a nanny who is well-educated and committed to long-term service.
4. Daycare – There are some very good daycare centers that do an excellent job in child care. Still, as a rule, children are cared for in numbers and by committee. There is rarely time for consistent one-on-one attention.
5. Babysitters – As valuable as they are for minding children temporarily, they are not typically trained in formal child care or prepared to fulfill the role as a nanny. As the name implies, they are hired simply to sit with the child, and perform perfunctory tasks only.
6. Nanny Agencies – Hiring through an agency, a family will benefit from personal one-on-one attention to their needs, and receive candidates who are carefully matched to those needs. They will also be spared a lot of the screening, paperwork, and interviewing needed to vet the candidates.
7. Online Nanny Websites – Parents may get a nanny for less by opting for this method, but they’ll have to do the screening on their own. Online sites typically don’t screen candidates as part of their acceptance for membership.
8. Live-in/Live-out Nanny – Having a caregiver living in the home brings peace of mind to working parents. She’s already on-site each morning to tend to the kids while the parents head out the door. Conversely, their compensation includes room and board, meals and such, so the salary is actually slightly lower in most cases than a live-out equivalent.
9. Au pair – Au pairs are part of the U.S. Department of State visitor exchange program. Au pairs live with a host family to experience American life in exchange for providing childcare. The U.S. program allows au pairs to live and study here for up to two years, working up to 45 hours per week as they study.
10. Under the Table – Parents who endeavor to circumvent the laws in order to get child care at a discount are risking more than they are saving. They may be able to hire at a lower salary or save on taxes, until the law catches up to them. When this happens, they’ll pay a lot more than they bargained for.

When it comes to choosing a nanny, parents should clearly evaluate the skills and experience their nanny candidate has and the duties she’s willing to perform when considering the nanny’s salary. Like with anything, there are ways to cut corners. When it comes to childcare, cutting corners is never a good choice.

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10 Ways to Spread the Word About Your Nanny Support Group

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Erin

You may be thinking of forming a support group for nannies, but you might be wondering how you will get the word out to others that your support group exists. There are many ways to reach nannies who may be interested in joining a local nanny support group.

These include:

1. Contacting local agencies – Nanny agencies can be a wonderful help in getting the word out about your group to the nannies in your area. They may have a resource board, a newsletter or some other method of getting information to their nannies.
2. Putting an ad in newsletters – If there are newsletters specific to nannies in your area, you will want to post the information in there. Some larger metropolitan areas may have such newsletters that go out to caretakers.
3. Posting online – Find out what local online nanny resources are available for nannies in your area and see if you can post a notice. Many internet resources will have a place for posting nanny support group information. See to it that your notice is succinct but interesting. You want to make sure that you have something that will stand out and cause nannies to be interested in the support group.
4. Using Craigslist – You can post your nanny support group announcement on Craigslist. There are people who look for all sorts of things on this list so why not post a notice about forming a support group for nannies? Local nannies or their employers may read your posting.
5. Placing an ad in the newspaper – The local newspapers are a good resource for announcements. The down side of using the classifieds is that you may have to be a fee to get listed. However, many newspapers have a section for listing regular meetings or a calendar of events that is free to nonprofits. An announcement of an informational meeting in that section may catch someone’s eye.
6. Posting flyers – You can make flyers and post them in places that nannies would frequent. These may include libraries, playgrounds, coffee shops and preschools. Make your flyers eye catching and be sure to put contact information on the flyer. For safety reasons, you might want to get an email
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7. Talking about your group – Let other nannies know that you are starting up a support group. Nannies talk to one another, and if you can show that belonging to a nanny group will be advantageous, the news will quickly spread.
8. Utilizing community education resources – Check with your local community education office and find out if it’s possible to post a notice in their catalog. Some districts will allow special groups like support groups to place a notice in their brochure.
9. Listing with places of worship – Many places of worship have bulletin boards where information about groups and activities can be posted. They may even have a monthly newsletter that goes out to members via email. Listing your support group in their communications may help you to connect with nannies.
10. Leaving leaflets at the library – Chances are many nannies will frequently bring their charges to the local library. You can find out from the librarian if she knows any nannies that come there and if she would be willing to let them know about the support group. Ask about posting a notice on the library’s community board or leaving leaflets on a resource table.

Once the decision has been made to start a nanny support group, finding the nannies to join will be the next task. Keep in mind that nannies are very busy and some may feel they don’t have the time to join such a group. Nannies may be willing to at least check out what the group has to offer if you create a notice that emphasizes how membership in such a group can actually help them do better in their jobs, while at the same time giving them the support they need to be successful.

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10 Challenges Nannies Face During a Recession

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Erin

The financial crisis and resulting recession that rocked much of the world in recent years has affected the majority of industries around the globe in some way or another; the nanny profession is no exception. Here are ten of the most difficult challenges that nannies face during times of economic hardship.

1. Increased Competition – Because a relevant college degree has become almost a necessity for new nannies, the current crop of graduates began their educations and chose their majors during a time of relative economic safety, in many cases. As a result, the flood of new graduates has increased the competition pool, making it more difficult for nannies to set themselves apart from the pack.
2. Fewer Available Positions – As the number of competitors for posts rises, the number of available positions has dropped dramatically. Seasoned veterans and beginning hopefuls alike are finding that open posts are fewer and farther between than ever. Many dual income families have experienced a layoff of one or both parents.
3. Maintaining Salary – Nannies that are fortunate enough to find an available post and make it through the interview process are likely to find it quite difficult or almost impossible to command the salary that they were accustomed to during times of plenty.
4. Loss of Perks – Perks are the fringe benefits of a nanny post outside of traditional salary-package benefits like health insurance or retirement fund contributions. These perks, like use of a spare family vehicle or invitations to join employers
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5. Decreasing or Eliminated Benefits – Nannies who have come to regard health, vision and dental insurance as part of the standard employment package face a greatly changed climate when searching for a post during a recession. Many families struggle to afford a nanny’s salary alone during tough times; benefits may be completely infeasible.
6. Rising Unemployment – As the number of eliminated positions, layoffs and other factors that contribute to unemployment statistics rise, the number of families in need of childcare decreases. When one or both parents find themselves without employment outside of the home, there’s simply no need for a caregiver.
7. Foreclosures – Live-in nannies whose employing families have managed to maintain her salary may have faced an entirely new complication when the number of foreclosures skyrocketed, effectively eliminating their place of business altogether.
8. Particularly Economically Depressed Areas – While some regions of the United States escaped the recession relatively unscathed, some areas were almost completely decimated. When automakers began the exodus of Detroit, for instance, many nannies there faced significantly more difficulty than their peers in other cities.
9. Increases in Family-Provided Care – Even if both parents in a two-working-parent household manage to hold on to their jobs, the sudden unemployment of an extended family member may spur them to choose family-provided care, both as a means of ensuring that their children are cared for by someone loved and trusted and also to provide some semblance of
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   an income to the affected family member.

10. Job Creep and Burnout – Job creep, and the resulting burnout, are very real problems during times of economic hardship. Rather than run the risk of losing a post and facing a challenging job climate, many nannies will opt to take on chores and tasks that aren’t ordinarily part of their job description and effectively overload themselves.

The challenges that nannies face even during flush times are considerably compounded when economic climates begin to take a turn for the worse. Suddenly, nannies may be regarded by some as a luxury where once they were a necessity; fortunately, the nanny industry is one of the first to regain its footing as things begin looking up.

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3 Types of ADHD: What Nannies Should Know

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Erin

Before becoming a nanny for a child diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, the average person is typically unaware that there are actually three different types of the disorder. The Center for Disease Control recognizes Predominately Inattentive Type, Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type and Combined Type as the three types of ADHD. Because a child’s behavioral and academic success depends largely on receiving treatment and interventions tailored to their individual needs, it’s imperative that parents, educators and nannies understand the specific traits of each variation. Predominantly Inattentive Type ADHD Children with Predominantly Inattentive Type Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder exhibit symptoms that are largely related to their attention span. These kids will have significant difficulty seeing a task through to completion, following instructions, maintaining a lengthy conversation or focusing on details. Because they are easily distracted, children suffering from Predominantly Inattentive Type ADHD may even have trouble remembering detailed instructions relating to their daily routines. Time management and keeping track of personal belongings are typically problem areas, along with maintaining order and organization. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type ADHD A child with Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Type ADHD has difficulty sitting still and keeping quiet, often appearing to have endless reserves of energy. Younger kids with Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD typically run, climb, jump and engage in other physical activity almost constantly, giving parents and nannies quite the strenuous workout. In addition to their boundless physical energy, these kids also have severe impulse-control problems, causing them to interrupt others during conversations, abruptly snatch objects out of others’ hands, speak at inappropriate times and struggle with taking turns and following directions. Because of the combined impulse-control problems and physical hyperactivity, kids with Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD may also seem accident-prone and sustain more injuries than their non-ADHD peers. Adolescents, teens and young adults with this type of ADHD will often express their hyperactivity by fidgeting, pacing, tapping their fingers and jiggling their legs excessively. Children and adults alike will struggle with waiting in long lines, and will often blurt out inappropriate or unkind thoughts, as they lack the impulse control to keep these thoughts to themselves. Combined Type ADHD Unsurprisingly,

children with Combined Type ADHD exhibit both inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in any combination. Distractibility, impulsivity, disorganization and physical hyperactivity can exist simultaneously, or in a variety of combinations. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, commonly known as the DSM, states that the majority of children and adolescents with ADHD have the combined type, though insufficient data exists to make the same claim for adult sufferers of ADHD. There is still no known cause of ADHD, though the CDC suggests that recent studies of identical twins linked genetic material with a predisposition for the disorder. None of the current studies have supported theories that excessive sugar intake, television or social factors cause ADHD, though environmental factors can exacerbate symptoms in some children with a prior diagnosis. The majority of children with ADHD are receiving both pharmaceutical and behavior therapy to minimize and control symptoms, with varying degrees of success. The most effective treatment plan includes frequent follow-ups and monitoring by a physician and a therapist. Nannies who work with children who have ADHD have a real opportunity to make a difference. By partnering with parents to ensure that a child’s treatment plan is fully executed, they can help a child reach his fullest potential.

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