Parenting Teenagers with ADHD: Surviving the Ride - Teenagers with ADHD

Written by Chris A. Zeigler Dendy, M.S.

4. Brushes with law enforcement are not uncommon. These ADHD children act impulsively, which may result in their being "invited" to juvenile court. If that happens in your family, don't overreact and assume that your child is going to be a delinquent. Obviously, brushes with the law often give parents a clear signal that the teenager is struggling and needs more guidance and supervision.

Tips:

1. Be aware of the factors contributing to delinquency. "Deviant" friends who are breaking the law and abusing substances are influential factors. Here's a piece of interesting trivia: the peak time for juvenile crime is right after school.
2. Keep your teenager busy after school or provide supervision. If necessary, hire a cook/housekeeper to keep an eye on things at home.
3. Some mothers may decide to work part-time so they can be home when their children are home.
4. Identify the problem behaviours, implement an intervention strategy, and believe that you and your child will cope with the crisis.

Generally speaking, my husband and I were watchful of our sons' activities, tried to keep them busy with wholesome activities, knew their friends, knew where they were and with whom, provided inconspicuous supervision, offered our home as a place for teenage friends to congregate, and sought "win-win" compromises when they proposed unacceptable activities.

In Closing:

In spite of the challenges these children with ADHD present, my view of the long-term outcome of adults with ADHD is probably more positive than most people. ADHD runs in my family and the people I know with this condition have been successful in their chosen careers. By sharing my family's experiences, both the good and bad, it is my goal to give you critical information about your teenager plus a sense of optimism that your family will cope successfully with ADHD. Like most parents of children with ADHD, my husband and I were victims of a code of silence regarding our children's behaviour. We thought we were the only family to experience these ADHD behaviours and were too embarrassed to tell anyone about our children's failures and misbehaviour. So we share this information with you now, so that you will know that you are not alone on this journey. Because we have survived the ride, we can offer a sense of hope for a brighter future based upon our own first-hand experience.

References:

Barkley, Russell A. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. New York: The Guilford Press, 1998.
Dendy, Chris A. Zeigler Teaching Teens with ADD and ADHD (Summary 28). Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 2000 Dendy, Chris A. Zeigler Teenagers with ADD. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House, 1995.

About the author: Chris Dendy has over 35 years experience as a teacher, school psychologist, mental health counselor and administrator plus perhaps more importantly, she is the mother of two grown sons with ADHD. Ms. Dendy is the author of two popular books on ADHD and producer of two videotapes, Teen to Teen: the ADD Experience and Father to Father. She is also cofounder of Gwinnett County CHADD (GA) and a member and Treasurer of the national CHADD Board of Directors.

For more information contact CHADD at 8181 Professional Place, Suite 201, Landover, MD 20875; http://www.chadd.org/

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