Teaching Children With ADHD Techniques - A Good ADHD Teacher Is Important

Teaching Children With ADHD Techniques

Diane: One of Danielle's best friends is a graduate of Dartmouth College who now has a distinguished career with a well-known national accounting firm. When Athena was visiting us one day, I told her a little about this book project.
 
She confided to me that she had been diagnosed with ADHD after her first year of college. Her mother had pressured her in high school to be tested, but she had resisted the suggestion. However, in college she had experienced the same frustrations as Danielle, and began to realize that her style of learning and taking tests was very different from the other students in her classes.

'Tell me about it!" I said. "What do you remember about elementary school?"

Athena proceeded to sit cross-legged on our sofa and pound out on her laptop a poignant, four-page story of her childhood memories about her experiences in school, not all of them positive. But one teacher handled her beautifully:

In third grade, I had a teacher, Mrs. Walther, who taught the way I learned. She let me do 15 things at once. and she even rewarded me for it. I remember her class like it was yesterday because it made me love learning. I could learn how I needed to learn, which in the process made me feel invincible. I look back at my awards scrapbook for elementary school, and I am most proud of the awards that I received in her class because I felt that I really deserved them, and I enjoyed earning them. Teaching Children With ADHD Techniques

The one that I am most proud of is the one that I received because I was "Child of the Year." I hadn't received this award because I had scored the highest on an exam or because I had behaved the best, but because I had received the most stars on the project board. I had obtained the most stars because I had successfully completed the most projects that year. In essence, she rewarded me for doing 15 things at once and learning outside the box of the classroom. 

I loved doing these projects because it meant I didn't have to sit still and do nothing. Mrs. Walther planned her classroom so that we were always busy, When I finished one task, I had another to move to. She kept my mind engaged.
 
Dennis: I like Athena's story because her teacher taught at her "success level" rather than at her "frustration level," She made Athena feel special, and she understood her learning style. I know it's a challenge to sometimes actually like the most difficult kid in the class, but there are such rewards if the effort is made. These kids are so filled with self contempt because they feel that they are the problem, rather than the teaching method.
 
Athena had her best teacher in the third grade, but, as you've already read, my third grade experience was the opposite. For years I didn't have my third grade teacher on my list of folks who have influenced my life. But in hindsight, she was a good lady, a Christian. She was all business and didn't enjoy the silly stuff, but her class was my turning point. It was where I started to use my gifts to compensate for inadequacies. 

She died a year or so ago. My morn called and told me. Mom said that she would bump into this teacher at the mall on occasion, and she would tell my morn how proud she was of my success. Little did she know that she was the catalyst for my comedic development. Teaching Children With ADHD Techniques

The school system, whether it be public or private, is really not geared for the kid with ADHD, so these children have to work harder just to cope with the everyday classroom. It's like hearing a different language when everybody else is hearing English. They often need help with their social skills, their manners, their ability to interact with others, and their ability to control impulsive words and actions.

But if a teacher has the patience to work with them, they have the potential to become extremely compassionate, conscientious, and considerate human beings.

Diane: My oldest daughter, Nicole, is an elementary school teacher with the patience of a saint. Perhaps she should thank her sister for preparing her for her career! She spent the first two years of her elementary teaching experience in the inner city. Many of the children came to school hungry, so she provided food out of her small salary. 

One child was particularly ingenious about the way he washed his clothes every week. He would come to the school on Saturdays when he knew the sprinklers would be on watering the grass, and that was his water supply for his laundry. So when a teacher is simply trying to meet the basic needs of the children entrusted to his or her care, it is often difficult to give the one-on-one attention that a child with a disability needs so desperately.

Next post, we'll continue to talk about how Nicole handled her class of kids, especially those with ADHD. At mean time, you can get Teaching Children With ADHD Techniques right now and follow the steps to handle your ADHD children.

Treatment Of ADHD In Children Without Drugs - School Daze

Treatment Of ADHD In Children Without Drugs

School is generally where one can't help but see ADHD as a disability. Where is the hope for ADHD students? One of the things parents would do well to remember is that often it's just a matter of changing the educational approach to utilize the positives of ADHD. Again, the best way to level the playing field is to allow your child's skills to be used and developed. ADHD becomes an advantage when a parent makes the effort to fit the child's unique world.

Diane: Danielle was fortunate in that she did not have the horrific time in school that many children with ADHD experience. I don't know if it was because of her high IQ, wonderful teachers, or just plain luck, or maybe for all of these factors. However, it is far more common for children with ADHD to experience trauma when introduced to formal education. These kids often give the appearance of being unhappy or very nervous and anxious when they arrive at school in the morning.

Surprisingly, neither Dennis nor I fault teachers for their inability to manage this type of child perfectly. Thankfully, there are wonderful men and women out there who still want to make the world a better place for our kids by becoming teachers.

One of my friends, Joan Wooten, is married to the Senior Director of Counseling at Focus on the Family. She is a second grade teacher - the kind of teacher every parent would wish for their child. While on a hike with me in the woods one day, she described the success she had had in the classroom with a young boy with ADHD. I asked her to write down her observations, and they are so much in agreement with what Dennis and I recommend for parents that we wanted to share them with you:

Having a child in class who has been diagnosed with ADHD does not have to be a threat or a frustration to a teacher. It is definitely true, however, that a teacher needs to have a basic understanding about ADHD: that ADHD is a developmental difference, that it appears with a variety of symptoms, that it is not the result of poor parenting, that it can be managed within the classroom in most cases. Treatment Of ADHD In Children Without Drugs

Teachers need to be educated about simple, practical techniques to use when working with an ADHD child that foster self-confidence and generate hope in the heart of a struggling student.

A gently persistent and informed mother a few years ago awoke me to her son's needs when he first entered our school. She wrote me a personal, insightful letter about her son and included a book on ADHD in which she had highlighted simple modifications and accommodations that would help him to have less frustration and more success in the classroom. 

She knew him and his needs well, and as we team up together to provide the best working environment, reasonable expectations, end structure for him, he began to be more engaged, motivated, and connected to his classmates. Morn was his best advocate and cheerleader, frustrated at times, but always believing he could be a winner. Parents need to do that for their ADHD kids, and teachers need to listen and learn from what they have to say.

Many of the ADHD children that have come through my class over the years have been bright, verbal, funny, delightfully creative youngsters who were desperately trying to deal with academic and/or social insecurities.
Being overwhelmed with too much input at one time, unable to stay focused long enough to complete assignments, having trouble remembering or following a sequence of directions, having difficulty organizing thoughts in order to answer a question, or just trying to find a pencil, were merely a few of the roadblocks these ADHD children faced daily. 

My heart would go out to these "lost" students, and I would find myself moved to do whatever I could to ensure their success while encouraging them to cope and work with their differences. Sometimes all it takes is for a teacher to believe in a child's ability to be successful in order for that child to truly experience success. Treatment Of ADHD In Children Without Drugs
 
Dennis: It's true! A parent and teacher teaming together to help a child with ADHD makes all the difference in the world. If an ADHD kid knows a teacher likes him, he can go to the moon! But he'll get into trouble if he senses that a teacher doesn't like him. These kids work best with someone who is calm and steady. If they know someone believes in them, they will give everything to that person. They remember kindness from teachers, believe me. Someone once said that rules without relationships lead to rebellion. An ADHD kid won't rebel if he has a relationship with his teacher, but if there are only rules, then there are problems.

I had a speech professor at Baylor University who had a real impact on my life because he was such an encourager. Dr. George Stokes could see my future as a public speaker. He gave me a B on every speech I wrote because of my poor grammar, but it didn't matter to me because he gave me hope. I think that's the reason my favorite Bible verse is Hebrews 10:25: "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the day approaching." 

So many Christians engage in what they call "constructive criticism," but it gets old fast. What I needed as a student struggling with ADHD was encouragement. A person can "feed" on one encouraging remark all day long! ADHD kids get enough criticism in one school year to last a lifetime. Dr. Stokes helped me change my attitude about myself.

To learn more about ADHD kids treatment, you can get Treatment Of ADHD In Children Without Drugs right away!

Treatment Of ADHD In School Settings - How Knowledge Can Help

Treatment Of ADHD In School Settings

Learn as much about ADHD as you can 

Dr. Ladmore: Successful management of ADHD involves a range of options. However, the first and foremost, after diagnosis, is education. The person living with ADHD is usually greatly relieved to learn that he or she has an identifiable, treatable condition. They are gratified (as are their parents) to learn that they've done nothing wrong. This condition is not caused; you are born with it. It's part of your design and makeup. Best of all, God can and does use ADHD in his particular and peculiar plan for your life.

One organization that may be able to help is known as CHADD, which has an incredible amount of evidence-based and trustworthy information available and can offer the seeds, at least, for some parent support groups. This organization, and others, can help you gather information. However, let me share a caution here. Parent support groups, if not carefully done, can turn into gripe and whine sessions.

That is not helpful and is sometimes harmful. All of us need someone to gripe to on occasion, no doubt, but unless there's some direction to the group, such as, "Okay, now that we've heard everyone's complaints, what can we do about it?" it just stays at the complaining level. Then the kids pay the price. I've known parents to come home from such a group and get all over their child because of what they talked about at the support group. That's not helpful for the parent or the child. Treatment Of ADHD In School Settings

Also, you can contact Focus on the Family and find out how you can get a copy of the book You and Your A.D.D. Child. This paperbag explains everything about ADHD, from the root causes of the disorder to treatment and other practical ways to deal with it, including how to teach an ADHD child in church. There is also a complimentary booklet we can send by Dr. James Dobson, ADHD: Facts and Encouragsm (Call 1-800-AFAMILY or log on to www.family.org to order these resources.)

Wherever you obtain information, be sure to look with a careful eye. Ask yourself: "Is this going to fit my child? Is this going to work in our family?"

Get the most accurate diagnosis possible 

Dr. Ladmore: Admittedly, a lot of things that look like ADHD may not be. What are you to do? You can clearly see your child is having difficulty. How can you find out what's really going on?

First of all, it is unwise for you to attempt to make the diagnosis yourself - or even to allow a teacher to do so. The guidelines in this blog can be helpful, but this is not a diagnosis to try to make without professional help. There are many other problems, both psychological and physical, that can cause similar symptoms. Thyroid disorders, for example, can make a child hyperactive or sluggish; depression or anxiety can cause a form of distractibility that can be identical to that seen with ADHD. Obviously, this calls for professional help.

Consult a family physician, pediatrician, child developmentalist, doctor of psychology, or psychiatrist who specializes in ADHD, and who can effectively evaluate the problems. You want someone who is aware of the limitations of diagnosing ADHD, who knows what the criteria are for defining the syndrome, and who can do the appropriate psychological and neurological testing. And the sooner you can get that youngster in to see the specialist, the better.

Now, how do you find this expert? In most larger communities, there will inevitably be at least one or two pediatricians and family physicians who have a particular interest and involvement in managing behavioral issues. By far the best experts to ask for recommendations are parents who have one of these kids.

Commit to giving your child unconditional love 

Dr. Larimore: The most important treatment for children with ADHD is first to prescribe a lot of love. They very frequently are accused of not trying, of being lazy, of not being a good kid. Teachers get mad at them.
Some classmates get upset with them because they don't do well in school, and they begin to treat them disrespectfully. My heart goes out to these youngsters. Treatment Of ADHD In School Settings

Many times these kids feel like they are second-class. I've had kids in my practice tell me, "There's something wrong with me." I've had kids actually say, "God made a mistake when he put me together. That's why I'm here."
 
Part of loving ADHD kids is to help them discover the great giftedness that God has given them - to show them that God didn't make a mistake when he made them.

Children simply do not all have to fit the same mold, even in school. For many of these youngsters, parents may need to de-emphasize academics. Simply put, for many ADHD kids, there are things that are more important than academics, such as being loved and accepted by family and friends just the way that God made them. Your child needs to understand that God has a place for her and has given her a special gift, and that she does have specialized ability. 

She needs to know that you are going to work with her to discover and develop those special gifts and skills, and that you can't wait to see what God's going to do with her. This may be far more important to your ADHD child than getting too excited over the fact that she is not doing quite as well in the classroom as others.

Loving these kids unconditionally does not mean expecting them to do less than their best - the best that they can do. It does mean helping them discover their giftedness, recognizing their weaknesses, and directing and encouraging them to overcome challenges and achieve those things that they are gifted to do.

Some lessons we've learned so far

1. Always remember: The Lord loves your ADHD kid even more than you do, and He is in the business of answering your prayers for your child.

2. Obtaining good medical advice and competent pediatric assistance is very important. Your child needs help to survive the early years, even if he is home schooled.

3. ADHD children thrive with encouragement. They may be natural encouragers themselves, and many identify strongly with the underdog in social situations.

4. Many ADHD children are very open to the gospel and seem to have a hunger for things spiritual that other children in the family may not exhibit.

5. ADHD children are individuals, so solutions in the home to help them succeed will need to be "custom made" to fit their unique personalities and giftedness.

You can learn more about ADHD by getting Treatment Of ADHD In School Settings. Inside, you will learn how to handle children and kids suffering from ADHD.

Treatment For ADHD Inattentive Type - The Encourager

Treatment For ADHD Inattentive Type

Danielle listened to this verbal assault for a while, and then quietly said, "Morn, maybe God's place for me on this team was never the infield, but the bench. I know I've been an encouragement to team members who don't get to play very much. Maybe this is the role that the Lord has for me in college, rather than the starter role I had in high school." Diane was stunned into silence, for out of the mouth of her daughter had come a wonderful, godly response. 

Later, when Danielle told her coach that she would not compete her senior year of college softball, the coach responded, "I hope you reconsider because you are the soul of the team." 

Danielle had lived out the word "encourager" by the way she had lived her life, even when profoundly discouraged about not playing more often. She had ministered to her teammates. Dusty too has been an encourager to others, particularly a younger boy in the neighborhood who has some physical problems to contend with. It brings tears to the eyes of parents when they witness this type of behavior being exhibited by a child who is supposed to be the "one with the problem." Now, that's not to say that every child with ADHD is naturally encouraging, but it's a trait we've often observed.

We also have another observation, which probably doesn't have any scientific data whatsoever to back it up, but ADHD children seem to be intensely spiritual. This is another reason we selected Psalm 50 to begin. If these kids have been introduced to Jesus Christ, they call out to him loud and often! And at an early age. They seem to be more aware of their vulnerability than the average kid. Treatment For ADHD Inattentive Type

Dennis recalls with a mixture of embarrassment and pride Dusty's pronouncement that he had become a Christian: "I didn't believe it at first because he has such an imagination! One day Dusty announced to the family that he had accepted Jesus as his Savior. He was seven years old. Even his brother, Chad, said, 'You didn't get saved. You just want attention from Mom and Dad.' Well, I sat down with him on his bed and said, 'Are you sure you're not saying this or doing this just because of your folks and your brother?' Dusty said, 'I asked Jesus into my heart. I was jumping up and down on the trampoline by myself, and I got on my knees and asked Jesus into rny heart.' So I said to him, 'Well, let me lead you in prayer about that.' But Dusty replied, 'Why, Dad? I already did it!'

"Well, I'm not exactly proud of the fact that I still had trouble believing him, so I suggested we go out to the trampoline and that he show me what he'd done. After that, we went back to his bedroom, and I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for giving me such a special little boy. I went and got the camera and took a photo of Dusty so he would always remember that October 1st was his spiritual birthday."

Danielle and Dusty have wonderful consciences - they want to make right the things that they do wrong. Again, this seems to us to be a characteristic they share with many other kids with ADHD. They are often the first in the family to go to church because of their heart for God. Dusty plays that rote in his family even though Dennis is a former pastor.

Danielle attends church at Dartmouth even though it involves a 60-mile bus trip into an adjacent state when all of her friends are sleeping in on Sunday mornings. These types of characteristics make it all the more important for parents to develop a "battle plan" to assist their children with their learning disorders. They are worth the extra work and the extra financial sacrifice. God can use them in mighty ways.

Another part of the battle plan is finding the right strategy to use at home to help ensure the success of your child.
Every child is unique, so your solutions will have a distinct flavor to them. For example, many of the strategies used by Dennis and Lauree with Dusty would not have been successful if used with Danielle.

Danielle was absolutely useless if she did not get enough sleep at night when she was in high school, so Diane helped her plan her schedule so that on most school evenings she got at least eight hours of sleep. Sometimes this meant creative solutions, like making a bed in the backseat of the car when coming home from a nighttime soccer game. But this worked in the Passno family to help her achieve her goals. Treatment For ADHD Inattentive Type

Dusty, on the other hand, responds to structure in routine and negative consequences if he departs from that structure. Now that Dusty is in his late teens, he must get up or his own, shower, dress, make his bed, and clean up his room before leaving the house. Otherwise, no truck, no jeep, no fun weekends. He does best in school when the teacher gives him structure as well: worksheets with expectations, clear due dates for assignments, and so forth.

Both Danielle and Dusty are fascinated by, and quite adept at, the computer. This seems to be characteristic of many children with ADHD: The computer keeps them focused, entertained, and occupied! They are much less distracted when using a computer than reading a book. If you can afford a computer for your home, we would highly recommend the purchase. If not, many schools have computer labs that students can access after hours, as do many public libraries.

Dennis and Lauree also tried another "technological" experiment that worked with Dusty, although it has been a complete failure with Danieile: the cell phone. The Swanbergs have given Dusty a cell phone with voicemail so that they can remind him to retrieve what he has forgotten at home: his backpack, shoulder pads, books - things he "stepped over" on the way to the car! (Can you hear Dennis grinding his teeth about now?) 

This technique doesn't work with Danielle because she forgets to turn the cell phone on, and her message box is so full of ignored voicemail that it won't accept any more words! Again, every parent must experiment to see what works for their ADHD child, and then use that technique to help them succeed.

The Swanbergs and the Passnos are in agreement about one solution: the use of appropriate rewards for behavior that you want repeated! Rewards don't have to be material in nature; words of praise and encouragement are all the reward that is necessary at times. However, Dusty's motivation to do well in school is spelled out in two words: JEEP and FOOTBALL. Danielle thrives on competition, so every assignment is a race to be won. 

A good grade on a paper is what excites her, even now as a college senior! So think about what works with your child, and don't think of using rewards as bribery. Rather, think of them as a technique to build your your child up to reach the potential the Lord has built into his or her genetic code!

To learn how to handle your ADHD children, get Treatment For ADHD Inattentive Type right now!

Test For ADHD - Selecting A Physician For ADHD Treatment

Test For ADHD

Once you have selected a physician, we recommend that you see him first without your child present. Ask him about his experience in treating children with ADHD. Ask him about his philosophy in treating these children. Does he or she seem to be the type of doctor who can talk simply and clearly with a child? Do you understand what he is saying to you? Don't be afraid to ask the hard questions that have been nagging you, even if you feel embarrassed. It is important that you leave this first appointment feeling comfortable.

You want your child to get the best treatment possible, so get all of your questions answered. If you feel uncomfortable in the presence of the physician, your child will certainly pick up your "vibes" when it comes time for his or her first visit.

We also recommend that you prepare your child in advance for the visit with the physician. Be careful how you describe the technical term Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. That is a mouthful for any elementary-age child! Remember, your goal is not to win the drama critic's award for "Days of Our Lives." You need to be warm, natural, and encouraging in this dialogue. Empathize with little Johnny or Jenny. 

Your conversation could go something like this: "I know how hard it is to listen to dull teachers and to read hard books. I went through the same thing when I was your age. It was hard for me to sit still too. I know that it bothers you that you forget what you just heard, or that you can't follow instructions. Some instructions are so complicated that Einstein wouldn't get them! You're not dumb or lazy or stupid. You just learn things a little differently. This doctor is going to try to help you concentrate so school isn't so hard. I'll be right there with you." Test for ADHD

Don't surprise your child with a visit to the doctor, or pressure or embarrass him ahead of time to force him to go. He needs enough time to adjust to the idea of going so that he can ask you questions and you can put him at ease. Most kids associate doctors with shots, crying, medicine, and all sorts of things they would like to avoid. So treat his uneasiness with care and consideration and explain exactly what will happen in the visit.

As parents, you will need to be prepared for the physician to talk to you about medication as one way of treating ADHD. Some folks are dead set against using prescription drugs to treat learning disorders; nevertheless, this will likely enter into the conversation sooner rather than later. Your child may have a problem with this as well because he has learned at school to "just say no" to drugs. 

If you and your doctor decide that medication is a course of action to take, you will need to help your child understand the difference between bad drugs that harm him and good drugs that help him.

Dr. Bill Maier, Psychologist in Residence at Focus on the Family has words of caution for parents who have received misinformation about the use of medication leading to drug abuse later on for their youngsters: "The belief that treating ADHD children with stimulant medication will lead to later drug abuse is absolutely, unequivocally false. It is based on rumor, gossip, and the deliberate spreading of misinformation. In fact, children who truly have the disorder and are not properly treated have a higher likelihood of abusing drugs and alcohol as teenagers and young adults." Test for ADHD

Part of your "battle plan," after you have selected the right physician, is something that needs to be a constant in the home: ADHD kids need an inordinate amount of encouragement, encouragement, and more encouragement! Dennis maintains that for every one negative word, an ADHD individual needs about seven positive words of reinforcement.

This may be a bit of an exaggeration, but no one can deny the potency of the spoken word. Words are powerful. We can shape a child's life with them. Curt, painful remarks cut deep and can find a resting place in a young life for years.

Dennis has already related how a teacher's hurtful words a turning point for him in the third grade. Likewise, words that a parent speaks in exasperation to a child with ADHD who has frustrated them beyond the point of endurance can cause emotional scarring. And ADHD children often become experts at masking the hurt. These kids need to know without any doubt that their parents believe in them. We constantly tell Dusty and Danielle how much we love them and how special they are, because they need that verbal fuel as they tackle the educational minefield that greets them each day.

"Dusty was really struggling with Spanish last semester, so he decided not to take it this term. Why? He flunked it! Yep, a BIG F!" recalls Dennis.

"Well, in order to receive a state scholarship for any school in Louisiana, a student has to have a B average and take Spanish. Spanish is not required to get into college, but it is if you want to qualify for the state-sponsored scholarship. When Dusty got the failing grade, he was so tense. He felt like a failure. Well, I told Dusty not to worry about a college scholarship that I would see to it that he would get a college education. I told him to just concentrate on the basics - on math and English - because I loved him and believed in him. I know that he worked harder and longer than any of his friends, even though his grade was an F. He needed to hear from me that I thought of him as a success because of his effort and dedication to hard work." 

It is our observation that many ADHD kids are enormous encouragers themselves if they have been the recipient of that kind of unconditional love. We have noticed this type of child readily understands the mind-set of the underdog because they've been there! They know what it is like to believe that they are "odd man out" in a classroom setting. A couple of years ago, Diane was complaining (again!) to Danielle about her college softball coach not giving her the chance to show what she could contribute to the season.

Next post, we'll find out how Diane feel about her coach and her life. At mean time, if you want to know more about handling ADHD kids, you can get Test For ADHD right away!

Treatment Of ADHD - The ADHD Battle Plan

Treatment Of ADHD

The Swanbergs and the Passnos are good examples of what most parents do when they learn they have a kid who has a learning disability. Denial is the name of the game! You have already read about the mental gymnastics that we both went through when it appeared Danielle and Dusty had problems. It's hard enough to admit it to yourself, much less to friends, who might not understand the disorder at all.

According to a March 2000 Roper poll, almost two-thirds of Americans still associate learning disabilities with mental retardation.

Some parents react to the diagnosis with a frenzy of activity. They go on the Internet and to the local bookstore and read everything they can put their hands on about the disorder. They run from article, to doctor, to school counselor, to another book, and finally, to a seminar to find a "cure" for little Johnny. The assumption is that Johnny will be a failure unless they step in immediately with the right intervention. Treatment Of ADHD

First of all, Johnny will not be a failure unless that is the expectation foisted on him hy his frenzied parents and frustrated teacher. ADHD can be an incredible dividend, and there are countless success stories to attest to that. The key is finding the right physician, the right educational program, and the right structure at home for your child.

So where is a parent to begin? We intentionally chose the Bible verse from Psalm 50 to open this post because the first step is to stop and pray. The Lord made your child. Your child is infinitely more precious to him than to even you! 

Often, prayers for our children can be filled with a great deal of pain because we identify so strongly with their emotions and struggles. Diane can remember feeling Danielle's frustration in relating to her college softball coach. It bothered Diane so much that she often found herself asking God's forgiveness for the anger she felt on behalf of Danielle. That anger, that sense of injustice, was felt so strongly that it was often difficult to pray. She finally resorted to writing out her prayers because it was the only way to get her thoughts together enough to ask for the Lord's intervention and direction for Danielle.

Danielle called home, her voice trembling with emotion, one particular day. "It's so hard to go on sometimes, Mom. My coach associates my learning disability and energy level with being out of control. I don't know if I can ever make her think any differently about me. She's wrong, but I will never get the chance to prove it."

When a parent's soul is so deeply intertwined with their child's emotions, praying for direction is often the hardest thing in the world to sit down and do. Diane often didn't even know how to pray for Danielle in this particular situation. Nevertheless, daily, during the three years Danielle played college softball, she prayed fervently for the Lord's divine intervention. He answered, but not in the way she anticipated or hoped. Danielle called one day and announced that she felt the Lord was telling her to give up college athletics and the sport she loved to spend more time with other activities like the Navigators group on campus. Treatment Of ADHD

Only God knows the paths our children will take in life. Our expectations of how things will go for them - the careers they will eventually have, where they will live, and whom they will marry - rarely turn out the way we plan. Despite the uncertainties that lie ahead for our kids, God is the anchor we must cling to, and prayer is the means by which we receive not only direction, but assurance for the decisions we make for their education and medical treatment. So take your child's problem to God and seek his guidance. 

And then, wait upon the Lord for discernment and direction. He is so faithful to provide answers when we don't know which way to turn. Different parents will choose different solutions for their children's treatment as a result of this. The Lord did not make "cookie cutter" children, and so we should not expect "cookie cutter" answers from him for kids with ADHD.

If you've ever picked up Consumer Reports, you have found a rating for just about every gadget you could ever want to buy. Unfortunately, we have better information about electric shavers and clothes dryers than we do about the abilities of our hometown physicians who treat ADHD. There are resources available to you in searching for just the right doctor for your child, but we would recommend that you talk to parents with ADHD kids first. It's amazing what information is available by simply asking friends for their help. 

Of course, the local city or county medical association can give referrals, as can your family doctor, and there is also information on the Internet from national ADHD organizations. Remember: Not every, kind, loving, general practitioner is ready to take on the "blessings" of treating your ADHD child! You need to find someone with experience in treating the condition - someone who can communicate well with your child.

Next post, we'll talk about what to do after selecting a physician. Stay tuned! At mean time, you can know more about Treatment Of ADHD and how to handle ADHD children.

What Is Attention Deficit Disorder - Doctors Explaining The Truth Of ADHD

What Is Attention Deficit Disorder

Dennis: I know that a measurement for progress is important in school, so we can't really do away with grades. I only wish that kids with ADHD could see beyond the structure of their world as defined by their school surroundings. The famous people I've read about who have or may have had ADHD have survived in spite of school. This is a sad commentary. The kid who looks out the window at school and daydreams can become the adult with the drive and ambition to make it big. However, they will never know that if they only pay attention to their ranking in class or their latest test scores or the teacher's often harsh reprimands.

I've read the llfe stories of several prominent people in the last several years: singer Harry Belafonte. mystery writer Dame Agatha Christie, billionaire businessman Malcolm Forbes, and General George Patton. All of these people showed the capacity for accomplishment despite their inauspicious beginnings in school, I think children with ADHD need to be reminded constantly that what God will accomplish in their lifetimes, if they are submitted to him, goes far beyond the classroom during their first 18 years on this planet.

Diane: When I was in my early teens, my mother used to say to me, "The best friends you will make in life come after you graduate from high school." Although I didn't say so to her face, I didn't believe her at the time. I thought, What could matter more than high school? I'll always remember EVERYTHING about this time, and I'll always be best friends with so and so. What Is Attention Deficit Disorder

Well, I'm on the other side of age 50 now, and the last time I set eyes on one of my high school acquaintances was about four years ago. The friends I have now didn't even grow up in the same state that I did. All this to say that it would be so much easier on our ADHD kids if we could free their minds from the difficulties they are currently experiencing and open their eyes to the possibilities that lie ahead for them. 

One of my friends sent her severely ADHD child to Landmark College in Vermont, a campus specifically geared for young adults with learning disabilities. She told me, with a great deal of emotion, how her daughter's life had changed when she could actually see the possibilities available for her future. Our kids need to know that we serve a God of hope - One who has our future in the palm of his hand.


Dr. Larimore: Dr. Dobson writes, "Some adults with ADHD learn to be less disorganized and impulsive as they get older. They channel their energy into sports activities or professions in which they function very well."

Studies have demonstrated that about 50 percent of adults with ADHD function normally, but the other half continue to have a wide variety of social difficulties. A small percentage have severe problems with their ADHD as adults. Nevertheless, with understanding parents, teachers, and career counselors, ADHD teens and young adults can find professions in which their attention deficit differences are a benefit. 

A principal that I have found useful in helping them find their role in God's plan for their lives is teaching them to avoid the "you should" comments. Often, kids will hear teachers, coaches, Scout leaders, parents, or even a pastor tell them what they should do." Now, when it comes to biblical absolutes, the "shoulds" are vital to being highly healthy. But when it comes to career choices, they may be harmful. What Is Attention Deficit Disorder

For example, Daryl was a patient of mine for over 15 years. His parents never qulte understood this principle. Daryl did exceptionally well with his ADHD, but in college he took the courses his parents told him he should take, so that he could go into the career they thought he should pursue. When I saw him in the office, it was because he was flunking his course work, His parents thought I should change his treatment.
 
As Daryl and I talked about his gifts and talents, as we explored those things that really gave him satisfaction and energy and interest, they all revolved around the entertainment world. It became clear to me that Daryl's parents were trying to create a marigold out of a daisy. But, as we talked, I focused Daryl's "shoulds" into "coulds" and "woulds." 

What he really wanted to do was to get into TV or theatre production. "I love that world, Dr. Walt," he told me, "but my parents don't. They tell me I should do something else."

I encouraged Daryl's morn to allow Daryl to try an entertainment curriculum at his college. She reluctantly agreed. "I guess he couldn't do any worse!" she scoffed.

Daryl returned to school and I didn't see or hear from him for another year. We met at a Christmas party the next year. When he saw me, he just about ran across the room. "Dr. Wait, I've been wanting to see you," he exclaimed as he gave me a big bear hug. As he caught me up on the previous year I could sense his infectious enthusiasm. He loved the curriculum and was making all A's and B's. "I'm going into the television production business," he told me with obvious self-satisfaction. "I'll be doing an internship at a local TV station this summer. Doc, I've really found myself."

Now, finding your place in life is difficult for many people without ADHD, but it's particularly difficult and important for those with ADHD to do this. We, as their friends, parents, teachers, pastors, youth leaders, and coaches, must be part of this process. Let's not lay our "shoulds" on their "coulds" and "woulds."

So do you want to know more about ADHD? Get What Is Attention Deficit Disorder and learn how to handle ADHD children to make sure they grow up like normal kids!

Adult Attention Deficit Disorder - Risk Involved In ADHD

Adult Attention Deficit Disorder

Is ADHD associated with risk-taking behaviors like tobacco abuse, alcoholism, drug abuse, or crime? 

Dr. Larimore: Some studies indicate that there is an association between ADHD and the abuse of alcohol and drugs, as well as criminal activity. When it comes to tobacco abuse, a study from the University of California, Berkeley, reported "a significant difference in rates of daily smoking and tobacco dependence for those with ADHD who had used stimulant medication in childhood in contrast to controls." These researchers felt there was a possible link between ADHD treatment histories and levels of tobacco dependence in adulthood.

However, most experts believe these antisocial behaviors are much more likely in those who have ADHD and another disorder, such as conduct disorders and mental health disorders. They believe those who have ADHD alone, and who are treated with medication, do not appear to be at increased risk for these problems. In fact, they point to a study that showed that medication for children with ADHD reduced the probability of substance use disorder (SUD) by 85 percent when compared with the risk among unmedicated kids with ADHD.

The general danger of the typical characteristics of ADHD, particularly in adolescence and adulthood, is a desire for high risk activity. Dr. Dobson points out, "Even as children, they can be accident-prone. But, as they get older, rock climbing, bungee jumping, car racing, motorcycle riding, white-water rafting and other high-risk activities are among their favorite activities."

Thus, "Adults with ADHD are sometimes called 'adrenaline junkies,' because they are hooked on the 'high' produced by the adrenaline rush associated with dangerous behavior. Others are more susceptible to drug use, alcoholism, and other addictive behaviors." Consequently, about 40 percent of adolescents living with ADHD have been arrested by their eighteenth birthday.

Dr. Dobson warns those with ADHD: "Some adults who have ADHD are at higher risk for marital conflict, too. It can be very irritating to a compulsive, highly ordered husband or wife to be married to a 'messie' - someone whose life is chaotic and one who forgets to pay the bills, fix the car, or keep records for income-tax reports. Such a couple usually need professional counseling to help them learn to work together and capitalize on each other's strengths." Adult Attention Deficit Disorder

Nevertheless, for many who live with ADHD, the symptoms will diminish with neurologic social maturing. Nevertheless, it's helpful for all of us to realize that many of those living with ADHD can, with instruction, skill, and mentoring, demonstrate in remarkable ways their outstanding giftedness - which can include creativity, energy, enterprising thinking, and leadership skills.

Dr. Larimore: I'll never forget meeting Sarah. She was failing her college classes. She had gone through four roommates, each complaining of her messiness and lack of organization. She was a social butterfly known for her creativity and energy. Yet her study habits were atrocious. She felt she had made it through high school based upon her ability to talk her way through difficult academic situations.

Sarah had recently been arrested for a DUI and madjuana was found In the car. Her favorite memories included bungee jumping and skydiving. But she was seeing me for depression. She had trouble sleeping and had "no friends left."

Although I sensed she was depressed and that her self-asteem was at rock bottom, I wondered if there wasn't something else going on. Her lab tests were all normal. Her depression-screening questionnaire was borderline positive. But her Conner's Scale questionnaire for ADHD was very high.

I told her, "Sarah, in a sense, even the word 'disorder' in ADHD is somewhat misleading, because the syndrome has so many positive features." She wrinkled up her forehead and blurted out, "No way!"

"Way!" I responded. We laughed. Then, I pulled out a copy of an article from Time magazine and read this to her: "[People with ADHD] see themselves as creative; their impulsiveness can be viewed as spontaneity; hyperactivity gives them enormous energy and drive; even their distractibility has the virtue of making them alert to changes in the environment. People with ADHD are wild, funny, and effervescent. They have lots of life." Adult Attention Deficit Disorder


"Sounds like me!" she exclaimed.
I agree. Furthermore, Sarah, ADHD can almost always be treated successfully with a number of therapies. Wanna learn more?" 
"You bet!"

The more I discussed ADHD with Sarah, the more her eyes tit up. I asked Sarah to see a psychiatrist experienced in caring for adults and adolescents with ADHD to confirm the diagnosis and to rule out any other possible causes for her symptoms. She agreed.

The psychiatrist spent a fair amount of time with Sarah and her parents. By the end of the consultation, all agreed ADHD was the likely diagnosis. They discussed treatment options and together agreed to begin family therapy. Sarah also chose to try one of the longer-acting stimulant medications.

When I saw Sarah in my office just two week later, she was already doing, as she said, "One thousand percent better! The medication has helped me in so many ways. But the family counseling has just been great. Mom and Dad see me differently now. They're beginning to understand who I am and how I've been made. That makes me feel so much better 'cause they're beginning to love me just the way that I am - not the Sarah they wanted me to be. 

Not only that. we all think my brother may also be ADHD. And, although he hasn't yet admitted it, I think Daddy has it. So. we've got a long way to go, but Doc, you've got us heading down the right road."

Eventually, Sarah graduated with honors. Today she is in her last year of medical school and, no surprise to me. has chose to in psychiatry.

So you you want to be like Sarah, or have your children to grow up as a doctor and someone outstanding? Get Adult Attention Deficit Disorder right now and learn the ways to handle them.