Know about ADHD

The first thing to realize in handling ADHD issues is that it is not a disease and it does not mean that your kid is going to turn into a criminal or a drug addict. While it is true that there is a higher incidence of crime among adults who had ADHD, there is the indisputable fact that many people with ADHD have grown up to be successful and responsible adults.

In a recent interview, the Director of the National Council On Alcoholism & Drug Abuse points out that college students who are abusing Adderall to study for longer marathons, are exposing themselves to risks of depression, impaired judgment and addiction. This is one of the most controversial ADHD issues. This is for college students so there are risks for children on these drugs and we should remember that the human brain goes on developing until we are twenty five ! Parents need to be aware of the risks of these drugs and weigh up the advantages and disadvantages. This is one of the most crucial areas in handling ADHD issues.

The second thing parents have to be aware of in handling ADHD issues is that bullying may be a problem at school so they should look out for signs of this if their child has ADHD. The fact is that when children are hyperactive and cannot concentrate or focus, then they are getting attention in a negative way in the classroom. It could mean rejection by the other children and the child may react by using aggression and become a bully. Very often, bullying is a mere defence mechanism but it is a dangerous route as aggression can turn to violence.

As regards doing homework or indeed anything which demands focus and concentration, the third thing that parents need to be aware of is that ADHD children have a lot to struggle with. Images and sounds all vie for the child's attention and it is no surprise that a ticking clock may distract him or her. Sitting a child near a corridor in the classroom may not help and parents should have a quiet area at home for homework and ensure that TV and phones are turned off and there is no distraction. Homework can become one of the most frustrating ADHD issues for parents and children.

In handling ADHD issues, the fourth thing that parents need to be aware of is that behavior modification techniques are now supported by most parenting and health bodies as the only effective way of dealing with ADHD. While psycho-stimulant drugs can help a child to concentrate, they do not cure the child and pills will not teach skills. The work of Dr. Gregory Fabiano and William Pelham is very important in this area and they have shown that behavior therapy can actually help the children to reduce their dosages, while building on firm foundations to make them responsible and mature adults.