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Is It ADHD?

It is all too obvious that something is dramatically interfering with the day-to-day functioning of your child. He is growing up quickly and his life is not right. It never has been right. He has no friends, but he does have a bad reputation for being too bossy, selfish, and aggressive. He hates school and it is obviousdespite her protests to the contrarythat his teacher does not like him. Academically he is falling behind his classmates further and further. Homework is a pitched battle every night. The child does not respond well to discipline, constantly fights with his brother and sister, and has a terrible time going to sleep. You and your spouse are arguing more and more frequently about your son.

Signs like these often point to the existence of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder. ADHD can ruin a childs years of growing up. ADHD can also wreak havoc on family life and marriages.

What about treatment?

• What will it involve? Drugs? Can a medication actually change behavior? If a drug does work, how long will it have to be taken? Can a pill help a child get better grades or get along better with peers?

• What about counseling or psychotherapy? Will this child of mine benefit from talking to someone about his problems? He certainly doesnt seem to listen to us! How will talking to someone else be of benefit when all he seems to do is blame everyone else for his problems? Hes so forgetful and disorganizedwill he ever remember what he discussed with a counselor?

• And what would treatment mean when it comes to helping him with school? Will his teacher have to be involved in some way? Can we get him to pay attention better in class? Can he ever come close to actually liking school? Can we somehow avoid the nightly civil wars about homework?

Where should parents start?

• Mom and Dad should begin by getting some accurate, reliable information about treatment for Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder. This does not mean information that comes from their radio or television sets. Media discussions about ADHD, unfortunately, frequently increases parental worries about ADHD treatment. Presentations that may appear compelling, factual, and objective often show little regard for scientific evidence or longstanding practice.

• Instead, in the interest of heightening entertainment value, parents see, read or hear stories that focus on controversy, on the unusual, and on trouble and misfortune. Positive outcomes do not always make for good news.

• One good place to start is CHADD, which stands for Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder. CHADD is a large, parent-based, national support group with over 500 chapters. You can find this organization at CHADD.org.

• Also, check next week's newsletter for more about what ADHD is, how to diagnose ADHD, and what treatment options exist.

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