Program & Services

Attention Deficit Disorder and Your Child

Children that have attention skills that do not grow the correct way have attention deficit disorder (ADD). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is when children also have hyperactivity.

You shouldn't blame yourself if your child is diagnosed with either ADD or ADHD. Most studies link the cause of ADD and ADHD to a biological origin.

Medication can be used to treat ADD. It can greatly improve your child's attention span and help with overall behavior. There are things you can do as a parent to help your school-age child with learning such as:

• Taking extra time to work with your child on his or her homework.
• Finding a tutor to help your child on any hard schoolwork.
• Talking with your child's teacher.
• Making a plan where you and his or her teacher work together on your child's learning problems.
• Look into counseling for your child. This may help your child learn to deal with his or her disorder better.

Parenting an ADD or ADHD child can be hard. Remember, your child may have an even harder time dealing with the disorder. It is important that you focus on finding the best ways to help your child.

Disciplining your ADD or ADHD child can be a major problem for parents. Your child doesn't have the patience that other children have. They can let their anger explode. Bad behavior and the need for constant supervision are tiresome for both you and your child. The best way to discipline your ADD or ADHD child is to keep a regular schedule. This can help your child learn to complete tasks. Little things like reminder notes and alarm clocks will help with the schedule.

Remember to reward your child for good behavior. Do not allow yourself to get into a fight over power with your child. Talk with your child and you will get better results. Be very specific in your wishes. Time-outs and loss of rights seem to work well. Discipline also works well as it takes your child away from the situation and shows consequences for what he or she did.

For further informational resources on ADD and ADHD, you may find these organizations helpful:

Children with Attention Deficit Disorder
499 Northwest 70th Ave., Ste. 101
Plantation, FL 33317
(954) 587-3700 or (800) 233-4050
www.chadd.org

Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder
5705 Oak Leather Drive
Burke, VA 22015
(703) 239-2750