Understanding ADHD

Treating ADHD is a long-term team effort. Treatment involves the child, parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals.

Although there is no cure for ADHD, there are effective ways to manage its symptoms. Your child's treatment plan may include:

	Behavioral management — to help your child change or control ADHD behaviors. These techniques can help you and your child identify unwanted behaviors and replace them with more positive ones. For instance, rewards, such as stickers or treats, can be used to reinforce and encourage desired behaviors.
	Counseling — to help the child and family understand and cope with their feelings and change unwanted behaviors. Counseling can include psychotherapy, social skills training, or parental training. It can help a child deal with low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and stubborn behaviors.
	Medication — to improve symptoms so that your child can manage better at home, in school, and with friends, parents, and teachers. Medication is most helpful when it is combined with behavioral management or counseling.

There are several different types of medication used to treat ADHD. The type of medication that is most often prescribed is called a stimulant. Some people wonder how a medication called a stimulant. can calm children who are overactive. Stimulants affect the brain's chemistry, causing it to work more effectively. This helps a child to be less impulsive and reduces overactivity. It also increases attention span. If the first medication your child takes does not work, your healthcare provider may prescribe others.

Talk with your child's healthcare provider to learn about the benefits of your child's ADHD medication and possible side effects. It is important that the team of professionals reevaluate and adjust the treatment plan regularly as your child grows.

Treating ADHD is important for a child's development. Without treatment, a child's self-esteem, confidence, and ability to function successfully at school or at home may suffer. He or she may find it hard to make or keep friends. Dealing with these issues day after day can be difficult and frustrating for children and their families.

Children who get treatment for ADHD learn to develop their personal strengths to deal with their condition. They learn how to adjust and control their behaviors in different situations. They start replacing unwanted behaviors with better ones. Their chances for success and happiness in school and at home are likely to increase. Children who are treated may also be less likely to abuse alcohol or drugs than those who are not treated.

ADHD can have a big impact on children and their families. Although treatment cannot cure the disorder, it can help people with ADHD develop self-control, feel competent, and live fulfilling lives.

Many children with ADHD are bright, capable, and creative. By working closely with your child's treatment team, you can help your child reach his or her full potential. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) should be made to meet his or her special educational needs. An effective IEP may include tutoring, resource room assistance, or extra help before, during, and/or after school. A comprehensive treatment plan that includes this IEP can help your child achieve academic and social success in school.

Contact your child's school principal to learn who will be working with you and your child during the school year. Your child's school support system may include the principal, teachers, a school psychologist, a school nurse, and a guidance counselor. As a parent, it is important that you play an active role in your child's education.

By law, most children who have ADHD qualify for free special education services within the public school system. However, these laws differ from state to state. Therefore, you need to learn which services your child is eligible for, and become his or her advocate.

ADHD affects not only the children who have it. It also affects their families. ADHD symptoms often frustrate and stress families. After ADHD is diagnosed and treatment begins, these problems slowly begin to lessen. Some family members find it easier to cope if they seek help. Some sources of help include:

	Parental classes that teach techniques for managing a child's behavior
	A support group that helps you meet other people who have similar experiences and concerns with ADHD
	A social worker, counselor, or mental health professional who can provide one-on-one counseling