ADHD In Children Reviews

ADHD in children is not a conspiracy as some would believe. It is a real medical condition which, if left untreated, may bring serious consequences later in life, such as indulgence in illicit drugs, teen pregnancy, poor productivity levels, suffering from sexually transmitted diseases, depression, and personality disorder. This article is divided into several sections on how to deal with different aspects of ADHD disorder.

What should I do if I suspect my child has ADHD?

Talk to your doctor about it. If he is not trained in ADHD and other behavioural disorders (most doctors are not), ask him to recommend an expert who could do an evaluation and prescribe treatment. Generally, child psychiarists have the most training in this field. The doctor will most definitely want to know the kid's behaviors when they are in school, at home, and in social environments. So do keep a good record of all these as it would come in handy for an accurate diagnosis.

What causes ADHD?

After decades of research, scientists are still not able to pinpoint the exact cause/s of ADHD. But generally, they believe it is genetic in nature and that the brain of kids with ADHD are wired differently from normal children. Often, you hear people say that bad parenting, watching too much television, consuming food additives, and video games can cause ADHD. All these are viewed by many experts as just myths. Take watching too much television as an example. How do you account for ADHD happening way before the invention of television.

What can I do to help my ADHD child?

Try to be "partners" with your child's teachers and doctors. Also, read up on ADHD as much as you can so that you will be able to make informed decisions. If you know of any ADHD support groups, try to join them as the exchange of tips, experiences and ideas can be of great help in coping with ADHD disorder.

What medicines are often used as treatment for ADHD ?

The most common medicines prescribed for ADHD are methylphenidate (e.g. Ritalin and Concerta), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), atomoxetine (Strattera - which is a non-stimulant drug), and a combination drug (Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine) called Adderall.

What can I do to help my ADHD child at home?

Kids with ADHD are not handicapped children. In fact, many famous personalities, past and present, have ADHD and yet they managed to do wonders for mankind in many field. However, because the brain circuitry of ADHD kids are wired differently, they do need special care and attention all the time. Here are some things which you can do for your child at home:

* Routine, routines, routines. Kids with ADHD dislike surprises, so do make a schedule on what and when they are supposed to carry out certain tasks, such as doing homework, do chores, go to bed etc. However, if routines need to be altered, explain it clearly to the child way before the alteration takes place.

* Design simple and clear rules and place it in high traffic areas which can be clearly seen. Among other things, the rules should stipulate what would happen if the rules are flouted, and what rewards would follow when it is obeyed.

* Be quick to reward good behavior, and be slow with criticisms.

* Compare notes with his or her teachers on what works at home or at school so that some kind of "fine tuning" in terms of education could be implemented.

* Keep the communication lines open. For example, in teaching children with ADHD, tell them what you like or want him to do.

Will my kids with ADHD outgrow it?

The answer is both yes and no. Based on available data, for every three ADHD kids, only one of them do outgrow it. For those who continue to have it, generally the hyperactivity may decrease but symptoms of inattention, distractibility, and poor impulse control may continue when they grow older.

If you suspect that your kid may have ADHD because they exhibit ADHD signs, then a logical step would be to look up the established ADHD symptoms' list before going to see the doctor. One site which has great information on ADHD symptoms etc is this one - www.adhdquestionsandanswers.com

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