About ADHD

Jael asked:


Just wondering. Would you be interested in a book written to parents by a mom who has raised and ADHD child. The experiences, mistakes, lessons learned, what worked what didn’t. Facts and myths.
What say you?

Luis

Aliza Adar Levine asked:


An ADHD diagnosis is not accurate until formal tests have been given by a licensed psychologist or other mental health professional. Unfortunately, it is often school teachers who make the diagnosis, although they usually have no qualifications to do so. It is best to be cautious in labeling children with ADHD when this may not truly be the case.

Often times, symptoms of ADHD are similar to many other things, and it is extremely important to be careful in the process of evaluation. It is essential that school teachers keep their eyes and ears open. If they notice that a child is having difficulties, they must inform the parents, so that the child can get tested for ADHD and other learning disabilities early on. Some children do not get tested, and end up unnecessarily struggling in school and later in life.

After is has been decided that a child should be tested for ADHD, a decision should be made regarding which ADHD test should be taken to evaluate for the disorder, of the several different effective ones that are available. However, the first step that should be taken, should be to rule out a physical disorder that has similar symptoms to ADHD, such as a thyroid problem. A general physician or pediatrician will be able to rule this out.

After the child has seen a medical doctor, the next step will be to meet with a psychologist or other licensed mental health professional. They will be able to give your child the necessary tests to diagnose ADHD. You can find specialists through CHADD, which is national organization operating in the USA, which educates and helps people with ADHD.

When you find a qualified mental health professional, your first initial meetings will involve your child and a family member that has known the child since they were young. The mental health professional will get a detailed personal history from your child’s point of view as well as from the family member’s point of view.

After this, tests such as TOVA (Tests of Variable Attention) will be given to check for the presence of ADHD. This is a 23 minute test, and is accurate in distinguishing whether or not a test subject has ADHD. It is important to get formal testing to determine whether the child is struggling with ADHD, or possibly something else, such as a learning disorder.

Other disorders that may look like ADHD are depression and anxiety disorders, Tourette’s Syndrome, early onset bi-polar disorder, conduct disorder and possibly other emotional problems or disorders. It is very important to keep this in mind during the process of evaluation.



Allison

Sue Perkins asked:


The estimate is that around 5% of all school-aged children have ADHD and the condition is on the increase; although this may partly be due to a better understanding of the disorder and the diagnostic guidelines being clearer. There is currently no cure for ADHD and many people rely on stimulant medications to alter behavior. However, these meds can come with undesirable side effects, which leads people to look at other alternatives. However, investing your money in alternative treatments and supplements can be quite risky. Here are some tips to help you find the best ADHD supplements:

1) Consult your doctor - Before buying any sort of ADHD supplement, you should definitely speak with your doctor to check if those supplements will not have any adverse reactions to any medications currently prescribed. By doing this, you will be able to make sure that the supplements you buy are completely safe. Choosing the best supplement involves studying whether or not they will have an adverse reaction to other medications. You may find they have some suggestions on where to purchase supplements from and which ones to avoid.

Another reason for consulting with your doctor is to arrange to have your blood tested for any vitamin or mineral deficiencies. There are arguments that suggest ADHD behaviors may be helped by removing any deficiencies. This way you’ll know what supplements to buy.

Continue reading for more tips on finding the best supplements for ADHD and to sign up for the free recognizing and treating ADHD newsletter below.

2) Read reviews - You will often see various companies claiming to have the best supplement in the market for ADHD. However, you should realize the fact that companies need to market their product. Instead of checking out the company’s site to see if you are in fact getting a great product, you should check out what other people have to say. Doing a search online will usually show you pretty quickly what people think of various supplements. This will help you determine whether you really are buying an ADHD supplement that will make a difference or if you are falling victim to a company’s marketing approach.

3) More is not necessarily better - A lot of different ADHD supplements available in the market today claim to have different substances which help relieve the symptoms of ADHD. However choosing the best ADHD supplement is not the same as choosing the ADHD supplement with the most ingredients. Choosing the best ADHD supplement means choosing the ADHD supplement which is most effective in relieving symptoms. Generally, you’ll find the same sort of ingredients in most ADHD supplements, only in varying quantities.

4) Try it out before you buy in bulk - Of course, finding the best ADHD supplements requires you to try them out. Order or buy a small bottle first and follow the instructions carefully. Make a note of any changes in behavior. This will help you determine if the effects of the ADHD supplements meet the company’s claims. If you notice improvement try to buy in bulk at a discount, if not you won’t have wasted a lot of money.



Marcus

Sue Perkins asked:


Parenting a ADHD child can be a bit of a rollercoaster ride emotionally. ADHD children can be funny, inspirational creative, and gifted in lots of ways, as well as having challenging behaviors.

A child with ADHD needs special care and attention. Providing the best possible attention and care for your child requires a deep understanding of what ADHD is all about. The first vital step is for parents to learn how ADHD affects their child at home, in school and socially.

Significantly, there are 3 main symptoms of ADHD: Hyperactivity, Inattention and Impulsiveness.

• Hyperactivity - This is said to be the most understood yet misunderstood indication of ADHD. This is the inability of a child to sit still for any period of time. Playing with objects, fidgeting, talking too much, and being in constant motion are some examples of hyperactivity.

• Inattention - This is either the inability to give attention to a specific matter, or flitting from one thing to another. A child with ADHD finds it hard to block out distractions and concentrate on one specific item or task. Some symptoms of inattention are daydreams, distraction from work, making careless mistakes and being disorganized.

• Impulsiveness -This means “living in the moment”. A child with ADHD tends to takes hold of everything that is interesting for him or her. They may immediately grab something without worrying if it might be inappropriate or without considering any consequences that may arise from that action. In short, they act before they think. A child who cannot wait for things, interrupts other people, and answers questions before they’re even finished being asked displays impulsiveness.

These symptoms can make it exhausting and seem time consuming to raise a child with ADHD.

So, here are some steps parents can take to help them in raising kids with ADHD:

1. Join a support group. This can be really helpful as you benefit from the experiences of others and can bounce ideas off each other.

2. Be aware of your child’s ADHD - most of the time they are not being naughty and ignoring or defying you. The reason for their actions is because of the ADHD. It is important for parents to discern the difference between the being naughty and defiant, and the symptoms of ADHD.

3. Just like any family establishing a child-parent relationship is extremely important. For this relationship to work, parents need to make time for their child. The emphasis here is on quality time rather than quantity. An hour spent watching TV together is no the same as 15 minutes talking and listening to your child. Find time in your day to incorporate ways of spending quality time with your child for example around the dinner table or before bedtime.

4. Be a good role model to your child. Children usually imitate the behaviors that they witness so make sure you show them positive examples.

5. It is okay to be firm, yet kind to discipline your child. Be sure to remain calm especially when facing difficult situations. Establish ground rules and expectations about behaviors, be clear on what will happen if these rules are broken and always follow through with the punishment. Just as important is to acknowledge when your child has done something right. Ensure you give them praise and rewards for good behavior too. It is all too easy to focus on the negative and forget the good stuff.

6. Tell your child that you love them. ADHD sufferers are used to hearing how naughty they have been and they can often fail to realize that parents love them. By feeling loved and wanted children’s self-esteem and behavior can improve.

For more parenting tips sign up for the free recognizing and treating ADHD newsletter below.

If you manage to add these approaches when parenting a ADHD child you should find your job as a parent becomes easier and your child clearer on what is acceptable behavior. Stay patient, remain positive and don’t lose hope.



Carla

Angie Dixon asked:


Do you have ADHD? Are you a mom? Does one or more of your children have ADHD? I just want to give you a hug and say, “You poor thing. I know exactly how you feel.” I know about the teachers sending notes home that your ADHD child didn’t return a paper because you forgot to sign it. I know about missing important deadlines, like signing your ADHD child up for the Gifted and Talented program, because you forgot to check his backpack. I know about the non-ADHD child saying, “Mom, you forgot to pack our lunches–AGAIN.”

I know. I know what it’s like to be an ADHD mom of an ADHD child. I know. And I’m sorry you have to go through it.

But I’m glad for your child, because he or she has the best possible combination of parenting traits–someone who loves him because he is, and someone who knows exactly what it’s like to be an ADHD kid.

As someone who knows what it’s like to raise an ADHD child while trying to remember to tie my own shoes before I walk out the door in the morning (or even to put them on–I once drove to the bus stop barefoot!), I can tell you, you’re doing a good job.

How do I know? Two reasons. First, you’re reading an article about ADHD instead of the latest fashion trends. You’re trying. Second, I know that people with ADHD are incredibly hard-working, bright and creative, not necessarily in that order. I know that we make excellent parents because we’re able to see what’s really going on. And I know you’re a great mom because of your ADHD and not in spite of it.

I want to tell you a story. It’s short, and it has everything to do with being an ADHD mom of an ADHD child, in my case a son.

When Jack was about six, I took him to a counselor. She was chatting with him and he mentioned a movie he’d just seen, Rug Rats All Growed Up. Samara asked my brilliant ADHD son “How did the characters change when they were grown up?” Jack proceeded to tell her exactly how they went forward in time by turning a tape player into a time machine. Samara looked confused, but with my own ADHD, I followed every twist and turn of logic. I said, “You wanted to know how they were different. What you asked was how they changed, and that’s what he’s telling you.” And of course it was. My ADHD brain understood his ADHD brain, where the counselor, though well-trained and very good at her job, just couldn’t keep up with us.

That night in my bathtub I realized my role in life. As an ADHD mom of an ADHD son, my job is to serve as his liaison to the world, until he’s learned enough about living with ADHD to be his own liaison. And the way he’ll learn about the world through ADHD-tinted glasses is by my tutelage.

So give yourself a break. No, he may not return his report card the next day, because you put it in the refrigerator instead of his backpack. She may have to borrow lunch money from the office–every other day. But you’re the mom, and you’re doing a great job. Pat yourself on the back if they have on two of their own shoes that match. ADHD is no picnic, for parents or kids. You’ve got a double headache. I won’t tell you to make lemons out of lemonade, but I will tell you, it’s okay. It will all be okay.



Virginia

Alvin Toh asked:


ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common psychological disorder that often becomes perceptible once a child starts preschool. Millions of children are diagnosed with ADHD each year, many of them before the age of six. The most prevalent form of treatment is typically prescription medication, which may help to reduce the symptoms of ADHD so the child can function normally in a school setting. Unfortunately, drug medications are not without side effects and can be addictive. For these reasons, many parents seek treatment for ADHD through behavior therapy.

Behavioral therapy, also known as behavior management, is shown to have positive results on ADHD children. The goal of behavior therapy in ADHD children is to increase the desired behaviors. This is typically achieved through using positive reinforcements when the child acts appropriately. The first step of therapy is typically to improve the relationship between the child and the parents. This is coupled with providing negative consequences and positive reinforcements to help the child increase his or her interest in pleasing the parents.

Part of the success of behavior therapy for ADHD children lies in the active interest and support of the child’s parents. Parents need to take an active role in making the therapy work for their child. This includes making and following a game plan to which both parents need to use to help guide the child to success. Parents should discuss the ongoing therapy with the doctor to ensure that the program is working for their child.

One of the most important factors in using behavioral therapy is to identify the problem early and start treatment as soon as possible. Even very young ADHD children will benefit from some form of behavioral therapy. One problem has always been early detection of ADHD in children. In the past small children that had disciplinary problems may have been expelled and told to wait until they matured slightly to enter pre-school.

Recent studies have found that when behavior therapy is started very young it can be quite successful as an alternative treatment for ADHD. In a 5-year study conducted by researchers at Lehigh University, Pennsylvania, 135 preschoolers with ADHD were treated with a variety of behavior-only therapies. After a year, researchers found that the children’s behavior and learning had improved by about 30 percent. The most effective techniques are based on consistency in rules and routine when dealing with good and bad behaviors.

In many cases, ADHD children can be treated successfully without the use of medications or through the use of reduced medication coupled with behavior therapy. ADHD children respond well the younger they are when they are diagnosed and treated. If you have concerns about whether or not your child is exhibiting symptoms of ADHD you should consult with a doctor. A qualified specialist can perform simple tests to determine if the child has ADHD and if so the severity of the condition.



Gabriel

bruj25 asked:


I was diagnosed with ADHD in 1st grade. I am now a sophomore in college and I am very easily overwhelmed. My mom has an anxiety disorder and I have read that they can be genetic.

Lewis

peliski asked:


My son is almost 4 and the online results say that he has ADHD. Is he too young to be diognosed?

Marcia

Rebecca M asked:


My four year old son was just diagnosed with ADHD (more hyperactivity than attention). My husband and I will choose the medication route only as a last resort after all other methods of treatment have been exhausted. I’ve heard about cutting sugar and processed foods out of the diet and Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids (flax seed and fish oil), but is there anything else out there that is safe enough to try?

Joann

asked:


I have to write an informative essay on ADHD.

Any ideas on what major “sections” I should write about?

Example: I’d have a section on “what is ADHD” and another on “characteristics of ADHD”

Constance