Does Your Child Have ADHD?

Have you been thinking for a long time that your child might have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? Maybe he or she finds it very hard to concentrate, and maybe you feel like your child is constantly in motion. Then perhaps you got a call from your child's home room teacher verifying what you already knew was probably true. The teacher might have told you that your child simply can't stay on-task. In addition, the teacher might have said that, even though your son or daughter is charming and intelligent, he or she is disruptive.

No matter the setting that has led you to believe your child has ADHD, maybe you are looking for ideas that will help him or her. If so, from things you can do at home to arranging for ADHD treatment, here are some ideas that might help you.

​Things You Can Do To Help - Your child will probably do much better at home if he or she has a set schedule for pretty much everything that he or she needs to do during the day. For example, sit down with your child each night before bedtime and go over a very short and very simple to-do list for the next morning. The list might say something like, Go To The Bathroom, Tidy Your room, Get Dressed, Eat Breakfast, Brush Your Teeth, Be Ready For The Bus At 7:15. 

You might want to get a timer for your child. For example, besides an alarm to wake him or her each morning, the alarm might also sound at 7:10, which will give your child five minutes to be ready for the school bus.

Arrange For ADHD Treatment -  Besides helping your child at home, he or she will probably need professional help. Your school counselor or your child's pediatrician will more than likely have names of counselors who specialize in ADHD treatment. The counselor will have the experience to find out if your child actually does have ADHD. After all, your son or daughter might just be a super busy little person and not have ADHD at all.

If it is true that your child does have ADHD, the counselor will have the training to work with your child in a way that will help him or her approach each day in an organized way. Don't be surprised if the counselor and your child play games together. There is a purpose behind those games.

It might be determined that your child will do better if he or she takes ADHD medicine. A psychiatrist will be brought in for that purpose. Monitor the medication closely to make sure that it's the right dosage and the right medicine for your child.