ADHD: How to Identify and Treat the Symptoms

ADHD is a very common, yet often misunderstood illness found in children. While many doctors believe it is a very real and treatable neurological condition, there are those who worry that ADHD is a fabricated disease ( one that can even be attributed to bad parenting!) and that medication is dangerous. Our Parents Ask experts weigh in here and share the science behind the condition, the signs and symptoms to look out for and the treatment options available for ADHD.

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Showing the Latest of 2 Comments

kate13
1 years ago

Yes, good introductory video. But it doesn't seem to address the fact that a person can have ADHD without hyperactivity. Girls who have this form are often overlooked because they usually don't cause disruptions in class or have behavior problems. It's something that teachers (and parents) especially need to be aware of. I found out that I have ADHD inattentive while in college. Growing up, it was frustrating working on an assignment for hours knowing that other people could finish it in half the time. I just didn't understand myself because I felt smart, but had such a hard time with certain aspects of school. Like the video said, getting an idea from my head to paper is hard as is putting ideas together for research papers. Anyway, just something to be aware of.

fb-1448272924-k...
2 yearss ago

This video is an excellent introduction to ADHD; ADHD 101, if you will. But, if your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, you’ll want to move on to higher level coursework! Topics you can expect to encounter as you educate yourself about ADHD include: 1) Medication—Yes, ADHD is highly treatable, but finding the best medication for your child is not always easy. It may take some trial and error. And, sometimes a particular medication will work well for a period of time, then changes need to be made, either in dosage, or to a different medication altogether. Be prepared to become chummy with your pediatrician, pharmacist, librarian, and web browser as these changes occur! 2) Co-existing conditions--Many children diagnosed with ADHD have co-existing conditions, such as learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, OCD, and others. If you or your child’s teacher suspect there’s more going on than ADHD, don’t hesitate to seek out a psychological evaluation. An evaluation does more than assign “labels” to your child. It forms a roadmap for treatment. 3) Advocacy—It’s time to brush up on your diplomacy skills, your assertiveness, and to become a lay-expert in disabilities law! ADHD often impacts a child’s school performance and/or behavior at school. In fact, early elementary school teachers are sometimes the first to alert parents to the likelihood that a child has ADHD. Learn about IEP’s, 504 plans, and IDEA in order to advocate for your child at school. 4) Finally, don’t forget about yourself! Don’t minimize the stress and exhaustion that parenting a child with ADHD can entail. Find support for yourself—through online communities, ADHD support groups, or a therapist. Carve out alone time and time with supportive people. To learn more, check out ADDitude magazine, ADDitudeMag.com, and CHADD (Children and Adults with AD/HD).

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Jennifer Brandt is the Managing Editor of Parents Ask, Momversation, and Good Bite. Jennifer lives in Los Angeles and is mom to a 3 year
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