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Raising a child with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be a challenging time for a family and it can be difficult to accept the child is not simply being naughty or badly behaved. A staggering 10-percent of school age children are thought to have ADHD, with boys three times more likely to suffer than girls. While it is completely normal for a child to be naughty at times, children with ADHD will behave this way for greater periods of time and in a number of different situations.
There is no defined test to diagnose a child with ADHD; instead, the child must undergo an indepth evaluation. This usually involves the child being evaluated by several different professionals, including pediatricians, doctors and psychologists. A child must meet a certain criteria before receiving a diagnosis of ADHD
1. A child’s behavior must display a range of certain behaviors from predefined groups before the age of seven.
2. These behaviors must not be age-specific and must be severe.
3. The behavior must continue for a prolonged amount of time, usually at least 6-months.
4. The behavior must have a negative impact on the child’s school and home life.
As well as meeting the above criteria, a doctor will also do standard tests on the child’s hearing and vision. This rules out other possible explanations for the child’s behavior. The doctor or psychologist will also ask the child’s parents about any issues at home or school. Other stresses, such as bullying, new sibling and any major changes to the child's routine must all be ruled out before an official ADHD diagnosis is made. A full school and educational evaluation is also carried out, this will uncover any underlying problems that could possibly explain the child’s behavior.
It is important for the parents of an ADHD child to realise that their child’s condition is not a result of a poor diet or most importantly, poor parenting. Although the causes of ADHD are unknown at this time, tests and studies indicate it could possibly be a genetic condition. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, with a combination of drug and counseling therapy there is no reason an ADHD child cannot lead a perfectly normal life. There is no cure for ADHD, but it is possible to successfully manage the condition.
Parents of ADHD children should seek the appropriate support and accept the help available, whether this is through family, the child’s school or specialist agencies. If you have a child with ADHD and you are finding it difficult to cope, please feel free to email me at Madeline.Mahoney@yahoo.co.uk
