Read through the Quick Assessment to the Right. It lists some of the common struggles many parents face. Do you recognize any as challenges for you or your child?
These are the symptoms of ADHD. Recently the diagnosis of ADD was eliminated and is now combined with ADHD. These symptoms can start younger than age 7 and many people are diagnosed after the symptoms have been present for years. One important factor that differentiates ADHD from different challenges is that impairment needs to be present in at least two different settings like home, school, work, or in the store. There needs to be clear indications that the problem is interfering with appropriate school, work, or social functioning.
One of the greatest challenges at times is the diagnosis with ADHD because it “looks” like it. It is critical to remember there a lot of different causes for these symptoms, and part of them may be due to the fact they are children. Family situations and interaction patterns can also result in differences in the behavior of children. While it may seem like an easy solution to give them medication, there are a lot of different ways to manage their challenges without medication. It is important to note also that all the challenges they experience do not always respond to medication.
Typically, ADHD can be managed with behavior training. Occasionally, the condition is so severe that the child fails to learn developmental skills. In these cases medication helps the child focus while learning skills and then the medication can be reduced or eliminated as the child learns coping skills to maintain their focus and improve their impulse control.
The challenges with parenting are significant, without having symptoms of ADHD make them more difficult. Like other parenting challenges, we are able to help you work through these challenges, and put systems into place to help your child manage them as well. When you can help your child manage challenges, there are less challenges for everyone. With these changes, parenting can be enjoyable again.
Quick Assessment
- Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly.
- Often has difficulties organizing tasks and activities.
- Person is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
- Person is often forgetful in daily activities.
- Often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat.
- Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly.
- Often talks excessively.
- Often blurts out answers before questions have been completed.
- Often interrupts or intrudes on others.