Helping Your Child Cope With an ADHD Diagnosis

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, otherwise known as ADHD, is a condition millions of children struggle with, which can affect them well into adulthood. Here’s what you can do to help them cope.

From the moment they are born, your child is in a constant state of developing, which can be visibly observed from how quickly they grow out of clothes to the speed they assert independence when they start walking. Their brains are also in a constant state of maturity, and neurodevelopmental conditions can alter the way they behave, develop emotionally, and learn.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (commonly referred to as ADHD)is a very common neurodevelopmental condition, affecting 6 million children as recently as 2019. This illness can create cognitive, social, and emotional problems for kids and if they are diagnosed with it they will need help to manage it as they grow up. Let’s look at what you can do for your child by examining what ADHD is, what signs to look for, and how to help them once it’s confirmed.

Parents of the Irvine and Eastvale, California, area looking for ways to help their children with ADHD can find help with Drs. Steven Sun, Sushil Anand, Abdullah Sharaf, and the dedicated medical team at American Pediatrics.

Defining ADHD

As the name indicates, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects your child's ability to control impulses, to focus on simple tasks, and can cause them to become overactive and behave erratically at times that are entirely inappropriate for the situation. While genetics and neurological issues are commonly linked with this illness, its causes are not completely understood. Dopamine levels are known to be involved, but no one knows exactly why it happens. This chemical helps with the movement of nerve signals, and it triggers a pleasure and reward response in your brain.

Signs your child has it

Not every child will show all symptoms of this neurodevelopmental condition because there are three different types they may have: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive/ impulsive, or a combination of the two. Here are signs of each:

Predominantly inattentive

Children struggling with this type often don’t pay attention to tasks, make mistakes frequently due to an inability to focus, appear to not pay attention when spoken to, have organizational problems, and dislike things that require a concerted effort. They are also frequently forgetful and easily lose track of things.

Predominantly hyperactive/ impulsive

Kids coping with this type tend to fidget or squirm a lot, have difficulty staying in one place for long periods of time, talk too much, blurt out answers to questions before people finish asking them, struggle to wait their turn, interrupt others all the time, and can’t play quietly. As indicated earlier, they also behave oddly (climbing, running, playing) when the situation doesn’t call for it.

A child with both types can show symptoms from either or both categories, and ADHD can coexist with other mental health conditions.

Helping them one it's confirmed

In order to help them as they’re struggling with ADHD, here are some things you can do:

Establish healthy habits

This includes making sure they get a proper diet, proper amounts of sleep, and making sure they’re maintaining their medication regimen if they’ve been given something to take.

Develop a reward system

A checklist of things to do around the house and with schoolwork to help structure their activity and having a reward system in place when they meet goals can help with self esteem, as the erratic behavior of ADHD can frequently lead to them being scorned.

Give clear precise directions

When you tell them to do something, make your directions clear, as exact as possible, and be sure to make eye contact and touch their shoulder to hold their attention. Keep instructions simple and brief to help them retain the information.

Help them build relationships

Establishing healthy relationships is very important for children as they develop, so working to build a strong relationship with them and helping them develop relationships with other kids is a great benefit. Make time to spend with them one on one, and arrange playdates to help them form bonds with other children.

Children with ADHD are coping with an illness that by its nature is hard to control, but you and your child can do it, and we can help. Make an appointment with Drs. Sun, Anand, Sharaf, and the team at American Pediatrics today to help you and your child cope with ADHD.