|
Page 2 of 2
Can your child stick to activities, or is the house full of unfinished games and projects?
Children with ADHD often lose interest in an activity in 5 minutes--or even less. They go from one activity to another, and another and another. You may ask your child many times to clean up, but he or she will not even be able to focus long enough to do that!
Has disciplining your child worked?
Parents of children with ADHD usually have "tried everything"--from ignoring their child's misbehavior, to "time-outs," to spanking--but nothing seems to work.
What should I do if I think my child has ADHD?
Talk to you child's doctor. A diagnosis of ADHD can be made only by getting information about your child's behavior from several people who know your child. Your doctor will ask you questions and may want to get information from your child's teachers or anyone else who is familiar with your child's behavior.
Your doctor will do vision and hearing tests if these tests haven't been done recently. Your doctor also may have forms or checklists that you and your child's teacher can fill out. This will help you and your doctor compare your child's behavior with other children's behavior.
It might be hard for your doctor to tell if your child has ADHD. For this reason, your doctor may want your child to see someone, such as a psychologist, who specializes in helping children with behavior problems. Many children with ADHD aren't hyperactive in the doctor's office.
Your doctor may recommend trying medicine to see if it helps to control your child's hyperactive behavior. A trial of medicine alone cannot be the basis for diagnosing ADHD, but it can be an important part of evaluating your child if ADHD is suspected.
Where can I learn more?
For more information about ADHD and to find out about support groups in your area:
Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit Disorder (ChADD)
499 NW 70th Ave.
Suite 101
Plantation, FL 33317
Phone: 954-587-4599
http://www.chadd.org
This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this handout applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.
Copyright © 1999 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Permission is granted to print and photocopy this material for nonprofit educational uses. Written permission is required for all other uses, including electronic uses.
next: The Law, Your ADHD Child and School
|
