ADHD - Charles B. Wang Community Health Center

A Parent’s Guide to
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD)
Learn How It Affects Your Child

ADHD Can Affect Your Child’s Behavior
It’s normal for children to fidget or not pay attention once in a while.
However, if your child cannot sit still or focus on tasks on a daily
basis, your child may have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder). ADHD affects about one in 20 children, or an average of
at least one child in every classroom.
ADHD makes it hard for children to focus on a task for a long time
or control their actions. It may be caused by decreased amounts
of chemicals in the brain. It also tends to run in families. It is not
caused by parents, teachers, sugar, or specific foods. Children
usually do not outgrow ADHD, and it can affect their school work
and home life if left untreated.
Children with
ADHD may
display some or
all of the
following
behaviors:
Inattention
Having trouble following directions
Not finishing tasks
Getting distracted easily
____________________________
Hyperactivity
Having trouble sitting still
Doing several things at once
Talking or moving around nonstop
____________________________
Impulsivity
Acting without thinking
Being impatient
Having trouble taking turns
ADHD Does Not Just Affect Boys
While ADHD is most common in boys, it can also affect:
Girls-They are more likely to be inattentive, daydream, or have
trouble following instructions or staying organized. Their symptoms
often go unnoticed.
Teenagers-Dealing with ADHD becomes a challenge in high
school since students must organize assignments and complete
complex projects.
Adults-Many children continue to have ADHD as adults. They
may feel restless and have trouble staying focused. This can cause
problems with work, personal relationships, and parenting.
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Find Out If Your Child Has ADHD
Some parents refuse to have their child screened for ADHD because
they do not want their child to be labeled with a disorder. However,
it is important that children get screened and receive the help they
need to do well in school and lead a successful life. If you think
your child may have ADHD, have your child tested by specialists to
get a proper diagnosis.
To find out if your child has ADHD, your child’s doctor, a child
psychiatrist, a child development specialist, and a social worker will
work together to:
Do a physical exam-Your pediatrician will make sure that your
child is healthy and rule out any physical problems.
Take your family history-Since ADHD tends to run in families,
a family medical history can help the specialists learn about your
child’s condition.
Review school records-A review of school records can screen
for any learning problems since ADHD is often linked to learning
problems.
Assess your child’s behavior-Work with your child’s teacher to
fill out some surveys and forms for the specialists. The surveys and
forms let the specialists know how well your child is doing at home
and at school compared to other children.
To be diagnosed with ADHD, a child must show ADHD
symptoms that:
Occur in more than 1 setting, such as home,
school, or social settings
Start before the age of 7
(although they may not be
recognized until later)
Continue for more
than 6 months
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Get Treatment For Your Child
Children with ADHD may have problems with school work, low
self-esteem, anxiety, or depression. They are also more likely to
drop out of school. If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD,
seek treatment early. Without treatment, your child’s entire life can
be affected by ADHD.
Experts believe that the best way to manage ADHD is to combine
different kinds of treatments. These may include:
Behavior Therapy-Parents and teachers can learn ways to use
positive reinforcement (e.g., praises and reward systems) to change
the child’s behavior. This helps encourage good behavior and
reduce bad behavior.
Medicine-It can help your child focus better and act less impulsively.
There are different kinds of ADHD medicine, so sometimes the
doctor has to try a few types to find the one that works best for
your child.
Counseling-A mental health provider can help your child deal
with his or her ADHD symptoms. This also helps your child cope
with low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and stubborn behaviors,
which may be linked to ADHD.
Work with your child’s doctor and teacher to help your child
manage his or her ADHD. When children learn to cope with ADHD
early on, they can lead normal and successful lives.
To Learn
More About
ADHD, Call
Or Visit:
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
(ADDA)
1-847-432-ADDA (1-847-432-2332)
www.add.org
Children and Adults with Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(CHADD)
1-800-233-4050 www.chadd.org
ADDvance Online Resource for
Women and Girls with ADHD
www.addvance.com
Healthy Children
www.healthychildren.org
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General Info Line / 諮 詢 熱 線
(212) 226-8339
Website / 網 址
www.cbwchc.org
268 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013
Internal Medicine / 內 科 部
(212) 379-6998
Women’s Health / 婦 女 健 康 部
(212) 966-0228
125 Walker Street, 2/F, New York, NY 10013
Pediatrics & Adolescent Health / 兒 科 及 青 少 年 部
(212) 226-3888
Dental / 牙 科 部
(212) 226-9339
136-26 37th Avenue, 2 & 4/F, Flushing, NY 11354
Internal Medicine / 內 科 部
OB/GYN / 婦 產 科 部
(718) 886-1200
Pediatrics / 兒 科 部
(718) 886-1222
Health Education Department / 健 康 教 育 部
(212) 966-0461
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for professional medical advice. See your doctor if you have questions about a medical condition.
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