Tag Archives: focus

ADHD & Focus, Child Safety, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

Managing ADHD in your child

So you’ve just found out that your child has Attention Defect Hyperactivity Disorder and you are worried about what lies ahead for you and your child.

Below are a few things that every parent with children diagnosed with ADHD should know.

 

It can be managed

Although there is no cure for ADHD, the symptoms can be managed through medication and behavioral therapy. Meanwhile,  specialized or supplemental education such as a private tutor can ensure that your child doesn’t fall behind academically.

The amount of countermeasures needed to manage ADHD symptoms will vary based on the severity of each individual case, but typically children can be nearly symptom free with these simple treatments.

 

Medication

There are three types of medication that children with ADHD could be put on. They are:

  • stimulants – most common treatment, last 4-12 hours
  • nonstimulants – fewer side effects than stimulants, last up to 24 hours
  • antidepressants – can be effective, slight risk increase of suicide

Each have their positive and negative effects, so it is up to you and the doctor to determine which one or combination are right for your child.

 

Behavior therapy

In addition to medication, your child might benefit from more structure through establishing a routine. The goal is to help your child understand what is expected of them by consistently having them perform the same actions on a regular basis.

For example, having a set bedtime that is followed on a nightly basis will help your child understand and recognize that as the bedtime approaches, they are expected to do things like get in their pajamas and brush their teeth.

Limiting choices and distractions in their life will keep them from becoming too distracted or overwhelmed.

 

Your child is not alone

Between 8% – 10% of American children are diagnosed with ADHD. Boys are three times as likely to be diagnosed than girls. In addition to speaking with your doctor, both parents and children might find it helpful to talk with other families managing the symptoms of ADHD.

Together you can learn what works and what doesn’t without having to feel like you’re suffering through it all alone.

ADHD & Focus, Self-Esteem, SYN Digital Enrollment Director

Getting Past the Stigma of ADHD

I did not know I had ADHD when I was in high school. Sure I was one of the more easily distracted kids at my high school and I eschewed organization, but I never even considered that I had a neurobehavioral disorder. Once I got to college and faced increased responsibility however, I could no longer compensate for my once-manageable ADHD symptoms and decided to seek out help.

In case you did not know, ADHD is a neurobehavioral disorder characterized by inattentiveness, impulsivity and/or hyperactivity. It primarily affects children during their development, but at least 30% of individuals diagnosed as kids continue to have symptoms into adulthood. Some Adults, like me, are not diagnosed until after adolescence, only realizing their diagnosis after the fact.

While I have significantly improved my ability to successfully manage life with ADHD, I look back on my time in high school as lost time. While I was able to compensate fine at the time, being aware of my condition would have allowed me to develop appropriate habits, be more self-aware of my issues, and achieve more success in college and beyond.

Of course, some individuals would like to deny the reality of a disorder such as ADHD, citing the lack of a definitive test and the fact that “all kids” get distracted to call into question whether ADHD is in fact a real disorder, or whether it is an invention of drug companies to make money. Sadly, while these individuals may have the best intentions, they are a real threat to the successful treatment of those who struggle with the disorder.

By arguing that ADHD does not exist, skeptics stigmatize the disease – this results many who could be helped through treatment to resist seeking out a diagnosis. Even worse, the stigmatization of ADHD leaves individuals who may have the disorder to blame themselves for their symptoms, leading to depression and low self-esteem.

When I talked to my parents about seeking out a diagnosis in college, they were extremely supportive and respected the reality of the disorder; as a result, I was able to receive help make progress towards managing my symptoms. Although I was fortunate to receive the support I did, some with ADHD are not so lucky. To help these individuals, we need to get past the skepticism of a vocal minority and recognize our duty to respect and support those with mental disorders.

This post was written by Evan Oelschlaeger, a recent graduate of Macalester College and member of the Vistelar Group.