ADHD 101 For Parents

adhd

WHAT IS ADHD?

ADHD is a condition that disturbs a person’s ability to focus in certain situations. Typically, children and adults who have ADHD struggle to focus, pay attention, and participate at school and at work. ADHD usually shows itself in early childhood and especially in the first few years of school where it is usually diagnosed.

 

Now that we know what the disorder is, let’s learn more about who can get it, what causes it, what its symptoms are, and how we can treat it.

 

CAN MY CHILD GET IT?

 

Almost two million children have ADHD right now. This is not an uncommon or taboo disorder as it was once thought to be. You can’t catch it like the flu virus. It’s actually a disorder that occurs and originates in the brain.

 

While most cases are diagnosed in early childhood, some adults go a large part of their lives before being diagnosed with this condition. Most of the time, adults who live with ADHD may not even know that they have a problem at first. They may admit to getting frustrated because of their inability to stay on-task or to complete certain required physical objectives throughout a day. They may even report their career suffering because of the symptoms associated with the disorder.

 

Since this disorder doesn’t choose favorites, let’s learn more about the symptoms that are associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The more that you as a parent can be prepared and informed, the better.

 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

 

Let’s face it, kids will be kids. Kids have short attention spans and tons of excess energy most of the time. So how do you know the difference? How can you tell if your child has this mental disorder or if he or she is simply being a kid? While most kids will naturally demonstrate several of the same characteristics that a kid with ADHD has, there is a distinct difference. A child with ADHD will demonstrate the typical child-like behaviors on an entirely different level.

 

For example, your child’s teacher may send home letters or reach out to you about your child’s inability to focus in class. The teacher may also report that your child seems to be extremely hyper a good majority of the time. This can be before, during, and after lunch and or recess. Another report that a teacher may give is that your child seems to blurt out answers or struggle to wait until a full question is asked before they relinquish their answer. These are common symptoms of ADHD – hyperactivity and impulsivity.

 

ADHD symptoms may show themselves all at once during a parent-teacher conference or they may be evident to you as a parent at home over a year’s time. Other common symptoms include the following:

 

  • Struggling to remember details about certain tasks or assignments
  • Straying away from in-depth or serious conversations that require lots of focus and attention
  • Constantly forgetting backpacks, homework assignments, etc.
  • Increased amounts of fidgeting with objects such as pencils, toys, etc.

 

HOW IS ADHD DIAGNOSED?

 

For decades, ADHD has been difficult to diagnose. Because it shares so many of the same characteristics of a “normal” child’s behavior, it can be left undiagnosed for months or even years. Moreover, many children with ADHD have not been diagnosed and treated as they should have been over the years because of its close similarities to “normal” adolescent behavior.

 

One of the most important things that you as a parent can do is to live in reality and not in denial. If your child has ADHD, it is not the end of the world. They are not less intelligent or less of a person because of it. This disorder will not wreck their chances of getting into college or being successful in their adult lives. However, if left undiagnosed, your child’s grades, overall academic performance, and social life may struggle to develop as it could had you searched out help.

 

An ADHD diagnosis is based upon the number, persistence, and history of certain behaviors, and the severity of their impact on the child’s life under different scenarios and circumstances.

 

Diagnosis should be made by a professional with training in ADHD or other mental/behavioral disorders. More often than not, your child’s school will have trained professionals who know the signs and displayed symptoms of this disorder. Together you can make educated decisions for your child so that their future is set as much for success as possible.

 

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?

 

The summarized version of it is that ADHD is caused by uncommon brain activity which affects responses and normal functions. Decades of research has been conducted on children diagnosed with ADHD, and results have concluded that it has a lot to do with genetics

 

In fact, some of those studies have shown that up to 35% of people with ADHD have a close relative that has the same disorder. This is another reason why it’s essential as a parent to be aware of the signs, symptoms, and risk factors associated with ADHD. The earlier it can be detected, the better!

 

WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS AND SIDE EFFECTS?

 

Unfortunately there is no cure for ADHD. There is also no “one size fits all” treatment either. Today, certain medications such as stimulant medications are prescribed by healthcare professionals and behavioral therapy is recommended. Treating ADHD doesn’t have to be scary, confusing, or embarrassing. There are even support groups out there for children and families living with this disorder. As a parent, you may be surprised to learn how many other kids your child’s age have the very same disorder.

 

So if you are a parent with a child who has ADHD or if you aren’t sure, there is help out there! Stop putting it off and be proactive for your child’s sake. We are here to help answer any questions you may have. Being a parent is not easy, at all. We commend you for doing your best and we look forward to serving your family in the future.