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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed, affecting more than 6.1 million children in the United States. Children with ADHD may have difficulty with paying attention, controlling impulsive behaviors, and being overly active.
If your child has recently received an ADHD diagnosis, you probably have an expansive list of questions running through your mind. This article will explore the symptoms of ADHD, what you, as a parent, can do for childhood ADHD, as well as the various treatment options available.
Keep reading to learn more!
Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Like mentioned previously, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a child's ability to pay attention, manage hyperactivity, and control impulsive behavior. These symptoms can interfere with your child's life, such as in school, in social relationships, and at home.
ADHD is a complex condition and the exact causes are still not fully understood. Experts believe various factors including genetics, neurological factors, and the environment causes ADHD.
ADHD is usually first diagnosed in childhood, and many times can persist into adulthood. However, with the proper treatment based on your child's individual needs, symptoms can typically be well managed.A mental health professional generally diagnoses ADHD through a clinical interview, behavioral observations, and assessments.
When Your Child is First Diagnosed
You are leaving the doctor's office and your child has just been diagnosed with ADHD. Now what? There are a variety of different options available to you and it is important to do your research, as a parent.
It is crucial to understand that ADHD is a complex condition and treatment is an ongoing process. What works for one child may not work for another, so tailoring treatment options to your child's needs is absolutely integral.
The following steps are recommended to parents if your child has been diagnosed with ADHD:
- Seek a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis and make sure it is accurate, if necessary.
- Learn as much as possible about the condition, including its causes, manifestations, symptoms, and treatment options.
- Create a treatment plan with your child's doctor or mental health provider that addresses the specific needs of your child.
- Communicate with your child's school and teachers to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
- Provide emotional support for your child and talk with them about ADHD.
- Consider joining a support group for parents and children with ADHD.
- Continuously monitor your child's treatment and progress. You may need to adjust along the way, as needed.
With the right support and treatment, children with ADHD can lead a happy and successful life.
What You Can Do for your Child's ADHD
Treating ADHD is a work in progress and it may take a few different approaches to figure out the right treatment options for your child. It is also important to consider the impacts of parenting and how poor parenting can affect your child's ADHD symptoms.
As a parent, it is imperative to be as informed as you can about ADHD, implement healthy habits into your child's everyday life, utilize helpful resources, communicate with your child, discuss treatment options with your child's pediatrician, and make sure your child's school is on board with the treatment plan.
Learn more about ADHD
There are a variety of ways to gain knowledge about ADHD.
For instance, consider consulting with your child's doctor, reading books and articles about ADHD management, visiting reputable websites with information about ADHD, attending workshops or educational seminars on ADHD, observing your child's behaviors and discussing these with your child's doctor.
Helpful Resources
The internet can be overwhelming. There is no doubt about that. As you are beginning your research about ADHD, treatment options, and healthy habits, make sure you are seeking this information from reputable sources. These include articles that have been medically reviewed as well as government-owned websites.
The following websites are recommended for parents whose child has been diagnosed with ADHD:
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Center for Disease and Control (CDC)
- Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
- Mayo Clinic on ADHD
In addition, there are also websites who provide parents with information on ADHD and helpful resources such as Apps for children, blogs, and support groups. Read more about Joon.
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Healthy Habits
Parents play an important role when helping children manage symptoms of ADHD. Establishing a consistent routine and setting clear expectations for your child can reduce symptoms of ADHD.
Encouraging your child to engage in healthy habits such as getting adequate sleep, regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and taking medications as prescribed are all important aspects in treating ADHD.
Experts also recommend your child:
- Reduce screen time. Too much screen time can affect your child's ability to fall asleep at night and get enough sleep.
- Make dietary changes. If your child is overeating sugar or consuming caffeine, consider changing your child's diet. Caffeine and sugar have been associated with an increase in ADHD symptoms.
Talk to your child
The impact of ADHD can be significant and ultimately affect your child's performance in school, social life, behaviors at home, and overall quality of life. Therefore, it is important to communicate with your child about their feelings and by providing emotional support when needed. Helping your child develop coping strategies and problem solving skills will not only help them in their current functioning, but will affect their quality of life into adulthood.
Learn about treatment options with their doctor
Your child's doctor will provide you with the best information on treatment options such as ADHD medications, behavior therapy and other behavioral interventions, parent training, and dietary changes for children with ADHD.
Keep reading to learn more about medication options and the benefits of behavioral management or behavior therapy for reducing symptoms of ADHD.
Medication
One of the most common treatments for children diagnosed with ADHD is medication. Common ADHD medications include stimulant medications, such as Ritalin, Focalin, and Adderall. These medications are proven to help reduce symptoms of ADHD. They work by increasing the amount of a neurotransmitter in the brain, known as dopamine. In addition, dopamine has been associated with increased focus and attention.
There are also other medication options for children who have been newly diagnosed with ADHD. For instance, non-stimulant medications such as Strattera have been proven effective for ADHD symptoms.
As always, be sure to discuss medication options with your child's doctor as they will be able to prescribe medication that is best suited for your child's needs.
Behavior Therapy
Behavior management or behavior therapy is another effective treatment for ADHD. These types of therapies can teach children and parents coping skills and strategies to manage behavior and improve home life.
In addition, not only can therapy improve a child's behavior, but it can also increase children's self esteem, help a child develop social skills, and manage stress when they feel overwhelmed.
Communicate with your child’s school
If your child has been recently diagnosed with ADHD, it is important to communicate effectively with your child's teacher and school to ensure that your child receives the support they need to be successful in the classroom.
Consider scheduling a meeting between your child's teacher and school administrators to discuss how the school can best support your child. This might include the potential for any accommodations or support, such as an individual education plan (IEP) or being in special education classrooms.
Also, be prepared to provide any relevant medical documents or evaluation reports. This will allow you and the school to work together in a collaborative fashion to ensure that your child's needs are being met.
Recommended reading: How to Get a 504 Plan for a Child with ADHD
Communicate with your child's teacher
In addition to meeting with your child's school, it is integral to regularly meet with your child's teacher to make certain that progress is being made and that needs are being met.
For instance, if your child is having trouble listening, is easily distracted, or is displaying behavior problems, coming up with a plan with your child's teacher is an effective first step in ensuring that your child is succeeding in the classroom.
Remember, you want to work together with teachers and the school to create a supportive and inclusive environment for your child. Advocating for your child and engaging in effective communication with the school will ultimately help your child thrive in the classroom.
Find a support system
At times, being a parent can be overwhelming, and even more so if your child has just received an ADHD diagnosis. The internet can often feel like a black hole, full of information, some helpful, some not. Amidst the chaos, it is important to find a support system in which you can rely on.
Support systems can be found within professional organizations (CHADD or ADDA), support groups, online communities, mental health professionals, school resources, and friends and family. By establishing a support network, you and your child can connect and receive advice from other parents and professionals who understand the challenges of being diagnosed with ADHD.
Do ADHD symptoms get worse after diagnosis?
It is not uncommon for ADHD symptoms to change over time. These symptoms can change due to a multitude of factors including life experiences, treatment plans, support systems in school and at home, and learned coping skills. Generally, ADHD symptoms will not get worse if an individual is receiving the appropriate treatments. With ongoing treatment and management, individuals will find that ADHD will improve with age.
However, if ADHD goes untreated, children may face challenges in school, in social life, and at home.
Accepting the Diagnosis
Lastly, accepting a diagnosis of ADHD can often be a challenging process. Some helpful tips as you are getting started on this journey include educating yourself, practicing self-care, focusing on your child's strengths, being patient with your child and yourself, encouraging your child, and embracing all the support.
Be sure to let your child know that you love them and that having ADHD does not define them. Allow you and your child to process the news and work through any feelings that come up in the process.
Accepting the diagnosis of ADHD is just the beginning of the treatment journey. With continued support and understanding, you, your child, and other family members can navigate the challenges together and embark on a journey that fosters happiness, compassion, and success.
About
Dr. Carrie Jackson, PhD
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