Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common psychiatric diagnosis of children; it affects 3 to 5 percent of school-age children and is much more common in boys than girls. The symptoms can change depending on where the child is and what he or she is doing. A child who is a terror in the classroom can be just fine on the playground or vice versa. Unfortunately, children with ADHD are often viewed as "trouble makers."  I hope this will help you identifiy the symptoms of ADHD and offers tips for getting help.

Recognizing ADHD

Ask yourself the following questions.  

Does my child often:

fidget or squirm in his or her seat?

distract easily?

have difficulty awaiting his or her turn?

blurt out answers to questions?

have difficulty following instructions?

shift from one uncompleted activity to another?

have difficulty playing quietly?

talk excessively?

interrupt or intrude on others?

engage in activities that are physically dangerous?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, your child may be suffering from ADHD.

Getting Help

There is no known cure for ADHD, but there are safe and effective medications that can help your child control the symptoms. In fact, in most cases medications can dramatically improve your child's attention span and stop restlessness. The first step is to talk to your pediatrician who can assess your child's condition and help you evaluate treatment options.  Don't panic - most ADHD children grow up to have normal lives and some studies have shown that these "active" children often grow-up to be real achievers.  Dr. Dean Adell (the radio MD) says he was ADHD and that he would never change any part of it.  Please don't be afraid of the available medications that can help ADHD children - they can truly benefit your child and your family.    

You and your child's teacher can also work together to help your child become better organized and complete tasks. Keeping your child on a daily schedule and assuring that he or she gets plenty of praise and reassurance will be helpful both at home and at school.

Become Informed

Information on ADHD is available at your local library, bookstore, or on the Internet. Consider reading Living with ADHD by Rebecca Kajander, or

A Parent's Guide to Attention Deficit Disorder by Lisa Bain. You may also want to visit the Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders web site at http://www.chadd.org. This organization offers free information and a listing of local support groups. Becoming informed will help you understand both ADHD and your child. You'll also discover that you're not alone.