It all ADDs up: Help for Children with ADD

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	It all ADDs up: Help for Children with ADD

It all ADDs up: Help for Children with ADD

All children may exhibit signs of an attention deficit disorder (ADD) at one time or another. After all, what child hasn't been caught daydreaming, impulsively screaming at a friend or sibling "I hate you," or running around a formal family gathering as if outside on the playground? ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) consists of problems with attention span, impulse control, and activity level. So how does a parent distinguish between "normal" behavior in a child and the likelihood of an attention deficit disorder?

Seek a medical evaluation-ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood, estimated to affect 3 to 6 percent of school-age children, according to the American Medical Association. It requires formal diagnosis by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or pediatrician. But, it is parents and teachers who really help the child deal with ADHD. Following are some of the major areas where care-giving adults can help the child dealing with ADHD:

	Discuss treatment options with your child's physician and school
	Keep the lines of communication open with your child's teachers
	Give your child feedback and praise, as well as consequences
	Help your child build strong social skills
	Understand when ADHD is a disability and know your legal rights
	Assure your child of opportunities to succeed as an adult

Ever visit the Members Only area of National PTA's website?

For more information on supporting the child with ADHD, read the article "It All ADDs Up: Help for Children with Attention Deficit Disorders" from the October 2000 issue of "Our Children" magazine. For a subscription to Our Children, visit the National PTA Web Site.

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