Attention Deficit Disorder

1. Attention Deficit Disorder

2. About us/ Why we are here • The Right Solution Counseling • Located in Eureka • Over 15 years of experience in field of mental health • Work with children and adults • Tutoring services – ACT test prep • Teen group for High school Girls

3. So what is Attention Deficit Disorder? • According to the CDC: • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood. • It is usually first diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. Children with ADHD have struggles often in the home and at school.

4. Sound familiar? Does your child: • Make careless mistakes • Does not listen when spoken to • Fail to complete chores, homework, etc. in a timely fashion • Lose things often • Talk excessively • Has a hard time taking turns

5. Signs & Symptoms of ADD The CDC states that children with ADD/ADHD might exhibit some (or all) of the following: • have a hard time paying attention and daydream a lot • not seem to listen • be easily distracted from schoolwork or play • forget things

6. Signs and Symptoms Continued… • squirm or fidget • talk too much • not be able to play quietly • act and speak without thinking • have trouble taking turns • interrupt others • struggle with staying seated

7. However… • Your child may exhibit some of these signs and not others, but this does not necessarily mean that they do OR do not have attention difficulties • Also, you may have multiple children with ADD, but it might look very different for each of them • It has also been suggested that ADD looks very different in boys than in girls

8. What ADD is not/ Myths about ADD AD/HD is NOT: • “they didn’t forget, they just didn’t want to be bothered” • “This is just a phase. They will grow out of it” • “They can play video games for hours and watch T.V. for hours, so there is no way they have it” • “They can spend hours doing what they are interested in, so I know this is just a behavior problem and a choice”

9. What ADD is not/ Myths about ADD • AD/HD is NOT: • “my kid is just lazy” • “they could do better in school if they tried” • “they just tune me out. They chose to act like this” • “it’s just boys being boys”

10. But my child is quiet… • According to the National Institute for Mental Health… • ADHD Can Be Mistaken for Other Problems • Parents and teachers can miss the fact that children with symptoms of inattention have the disorder because they are often quiet and less likely to act out • They may sit quietly, seeming to work, but • they are often not paying attention • to what they are doing

11. But my child is quiet… • They may get along well with other children • Also, adults may think that children with the hyperactive and impulsive types of ADD just have emotional or disciplinary problems

12. Boys • It has been estimated that boys are 2-3x more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD • However… • Boys with ADHD tend to be noticed more at school and at home because of the symptoms they display • Boys with ADHD often act out more, have defiant behaviors in multiple settings, show aggression, and look more like the stereotyped “hyper child”

13. Girls • According to the American Psychological Association: • Girls with ADHD aren’t usually hyperactive. • Instead, they tend to have trouble focusing. • Parents and teachers often miss symptoms in girls because they tend to be quiet and appear to daydream instead of being “hyper”.

14. Girls • According to researchers, girls with untreated ADHD are at risk for low self-esteem, underachievement and problems like depression and anxiety.

15. So how do I know if my child has ADD/ADHD? • There is no one approach to determining if your child has Attention Deficit Disorder • Your pediatrician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or child’s mental health counselor can assist in diagnosing your child with ADD, and help with ruling out other concerns

16. Types of ADD/ADHD • Many people ask “what is the difference between ADD and ADHD?” • Both ADD and ADHD are ways of saying your child has Attention Deficit Disorder • There are three sub categories of ADD

17. Inattentive type • The inattentive type: mostly seen as your daydreamers, forgetful kids, and generally unorganized

18. Hyperactive type • The hyperactive type: often seen as your talkative kids, “hyper” children, or the child who cannot sit still

19. Combined type • The combined type: children who display both hyperactive and inattentive traits

20. AD/HD and Emotional Health • Often, children with ADD have additional diagnosis such as anxiety disorders and depression • The chances of your child developing other disorders in late adolescence/early adulthood can decrease with early intervention

21. Self Esteem • Children with ADD often suffer from low self esteem • This is especially true for adolescent girls • There is often a sense of failure • Children with ADD are often criticized more by parents and teachers

22. Depression • Children with ADD may isolate themselves from others due to personal frustration • Children with ADD may feel hopeless that things will improve • Children with ADD often have trouble sleeping, which can increase these feelings

23. Anxiety • Children with ADD are often anxious about their ability to perform certain tasks • Children with ADD often have test taking anxiety due to their inability to focus and memorize materials • Children with ADD often have impulsive behaviors which increase anxiety

24. Impulsive Behaviors/ Anger • Both boys and girls with ADD may have very impulsive behaviors, and struggle with acting out as a result • However, this is usually followed by guilt and remorse • At times, children with ADD may exhibit very aggressive behaviors or be quick to anger

25. Making and keeping friends • Due to the impulsive behaviors, anger, and self doubt, many children with ADD have a hard time making and keeping friends • Children with ADD are often seen as unpredictable by their peers, which also causes struggles in forming relationships

26. Homework struggles • Children with ADD often need frequent breaks in homework • May require more 1:1 help • Benefit from having homework and projects broken up into small sections • Struggle with remembering to write down their assignments

27. But I forgot… • Children with ADD often forget to complete their homework • Forget to turn in their homework • Make small mistakes on work (i.e forget to answer all questions)

28. But I forgot… • Often forget to complete chores…even if you asked them 5 minutes ago…5 times in a row… • Struggle with keeping a concept of time • “I will in just a second…” really turns into 2 hours later • Often need to be reminded several times

29. Behavior struggles • Children with ADD may act out • Struggle with waiting their turn • Act aggressively • Interrupt others • Struggle to emotionally self regulate • Struggle with patience

30. School • Talk excessively • Squirm or fidget in their seat • Daydream • Interrupt • Struggle with grades • Lose assignments • Stay unorganized despite help

31. So what now… • Will they grow out of it? • Who do I call? • Where do I start? • What can I as a parent do to help? • Is it genetic?

32. Treatment Options • Counseling • Parenting classes • Medication evaluations • Behavior modification in the classroom

33. How to help your child be successful • Schedule. Keep the same routine every day, from wake-up time to bedtime. Include time for homework, outdoor play, and indoor activities. Keep the schedule on the refrigerator or on a bulletin board in the kitchen. Write changes on the schedule as far in advance as possible.

34. How to help your child be successful • Use homework and notebook organizers. Use organizers for school material and supplies. Stress to your child the importance of writing down assignments and bringing home the necessary books.

35. Organize • Organize everyday items. Have a place for everything, and keep everything in its place. This includes clothing, backpacks, and toys.

36. Clear and consistent • Be clear and consistent. Children with ADHD need consistent rules they can understand and follow.

37. How to help your child be successful • Give praise or rewards when rules are followed. Children with ADHD often receive and expect criticism. Look for good behavior, and praise it.

38. Could there be something else wrong? • Often, children with ADD have other struggles such as: • Anxiety disorders • Depression • Oppositional Defiant Disorder • Conduct Disorder • Learning disabilities

39. The Right Solution Counseling • Accept all ages • Will accept insurance – offer sliding scale for those without insurance For more information: RightSolutionCounseling.com 314-374-1620

40. Questions?