Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
What is ADHD and how is it treated?
The National Institutes of Mental
Health has created a comprehensive information page concerning the
diagnosis and treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
There are also helpful resources in Spanish. Please refer to
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm#symptoms
for this comprehensive description of ADHD symptoms and its treatment.
It is important to recognize that the first step in evaluating and
treating ADHD is comprehensive medical, mental health, and educational
evaluations.
What can I do to help myself if I have ADHD?
Youth should be encouraged
to tell a parent, school counselor, teacher, or other trusted adults
about the changes in attention, impulsivity, and high energy associated
with ADHD.
What can I do to help my friend with ADHD?
The first thing to do is
to help your friend talk with their family and seek a trusted medical
and/or mental health professional to provide evaluation and support.
Praise your friend for their honesty and reassure them that the symptoms
are signs that they need to talk more with an adult and reassure them
that ADHD and other concerns are treatable.
As a friend, your understanding,
patience, and encouragement are invaluable! Also try to keep your friend
in the “social loop” and try to encourage him
or her to participate in fun activities.
If your friend talks about suicide,
report this to his or her therapist or parent immediately. If you believe
that your friend may hurt him or herself, let their parent know, call
911, and assist them in seeking immediate help.
Implications at school:
Kids with ADHD often benefit from school accommodations
so that they can be successful. This may involve placing the child
in the front row so that he is less likely to be distracted by other
kids
in the classroom, or breaking a large amount of homework into more
manageable pieces.
How do you eat an elephant?
One bite at a time.
Other helpful strategies for success in school include:
-
learning
organizational skills with support from parents and teachers
- visual reminders, schedules and to-do lists
- help with managing time and planning ahead
- good communication between teacher(s) and parents.
Children
with
ADHD can be the target or instigator of bullying behavior so additional
school supports and monitoring may help with developing positive
social interactions.
For more information, please contact:
Kathy Davis, MSEd, PhD
kdavis2@kumc.edu
(913) 588-6305