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ADHD:
Back-to-School and Beyond
(ARA) - Chances are you have
begun to think about your child’s needs for the upcoming
school year. If your child has Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD), this may include working with your child’s
doctor and teacher, and developing an individualized learning
plan that will result in a positive experience for you and your
child.
ADHD, often linked to concentration
and behavioral difficulties in the classroom, doesn’t end
with the school day. In fact, the condition often affects a child’s
ability to participate in extracurricular activities, complete
homework assignments, sit through family meals or participate
in other family activities without disruption -- all leading
to increased family stress.
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"ADHD affects many aspects
of a child's life," says Christopher J. Kratochvil, M.D.,
associate professor, Department of Psychiatry and assistant director,
Psychopharmacology Research Center, University of Nebraska Medical
Center. "Combining input from the school, prescribing physician,
and therpaist, along with the parent and the child with ADHD,
can help the child to function better in all areas affected by
the disorder."
As you develop your learning
plan, consider the following elements for back-to-school and
beyond. |
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Back-to-School Plan
You can help improve your child’s
school experience by working with his/her teacher(s) to address
your child’s needs to avoid distraction and follow instructions.
* Try to limit distractions by seating your child
near the teacher, but away from the door or window
* Support your child’s concentration process,
which may require additional time for tests or assignments, reading
test questions aloud and providing a non-distracting environment
* Provide written materials to support information
that is delivered verbally
* Include visual, auditory, and hands-on learning
opportunities to maintain the child’s attention
* Redirect your child without embarrassment if he
or she becomes distracted
Beyond-the-School-Day Plan
Children with ADHD may have a
tendency to interrupt conversations to share an idea before forgetting
it, mix up words or fail to understand instructions, which can
lead to frustration all around. As a parent, you can use everyday
activities to help your child overcome these issues.
* Help your child recognize visual
or verbal signs of other people that indicate his or her conversation
may not be appropriate
* Identify and support creative
activities that your child enjoys, such as music, art and computer
design, to increase your child’s focus and self-esteem
* Consider alerting your child’s
coach, music instructor, scout leader or other adult in charge
of your child’s extracurricular activities about his or
her ADHD, and what works and doesn’t work for your child
* Ask your child to name what
he or she sees during car rides to the grocery store, music or
sports practice to develop his or her ability to think and respond
quickly
* Encourage your child to tell
you about his or her day during dinner to strengthen his or her
thought process and communication skills
* Balance constructive feedback
with positive encouragement
Physician Partnership Plan
Parents also need to partner
with their physician to design a treatment plan for their child
with ADHD that works during and beyond the school day. Treatment
may consist of appropriate medication, developing behavioral
skills and coaching. With the availability of a nonstimulant
treatment that provides full-day relief of symptoms without insomnia
or abuse potential, parents can now expect more from their child’s
ADHD medication. A medication that controls symptoms after school
and into the evening can help to improve interaction with family
and friends and reduce stress for parents.
ADHD affects 3 to 7 percent of
school-aged children and is the most commonly diagnosed behavioral
disorder of childhood. This medical condition manifests itself
in levels of attention, concentration, activity, distractibility
and impulsivity that may be inappropriate to the child’s
age. In the last decade, experts have recognized that 60 percent
of children will carry symptoms into adulthood. |
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