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What helps?
Kids and parents succeed with the use of behavior modification.
They add coping skills that help kids navigate through daily
life at home and school. They learn tools for various situations
and ideas that improve otherwise frustrating challenges. Tools
may be as simple as a change in classroom seating or as complex
as behavioral therapy with a specialized, trained therapist.
Positive behavior modification and social skills training have
been found to work well. Individual education plans can lead
to further academic understanding and success.
Medication, in addition to behavior therapy, is proven to
work with regular monitoring in a treatment plan. Medication
helps bring out the best in kids, allowing them to achieve and be
recognized for their talents, strengths, and accomplishments.
Building self-esteem and credibility is important. Positive
parenting, productive teaching, and supportive teamwork leads
to a kid’s success. Kids are often bright, energetic go-getters and
are just waiting for adults to believe in them and their success.
I T I S COMMON
for children to express their energy,
excitement, enthusiasm, and even impulsiveness. But when
this behavior is constant or a child cannot control it—or
perhaps their level of activity or inattention is noticeably
not age-appropriate—parents seek advice from their
pediatrician.
Approximately 4 to 11 percent of children are diagnosed
with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder), and
a third of those will have additional conditions along with
ADHD. The ADHD can be a combined type or primarily an
inattention or hyperactive type. Each child with this concern
should have a complete evaluation and then a treatment
plan, with a supportive team approach.
What is ADHD?
ADHD is one of the most studied and one of the most
common conditions of childhood. It is a neurobehavioral
condition of the brain, and it is diagnosed when a
child shows a persistent pattern of inattention and/or
hyperactivity and impulsiveness that interferes with
functioning or development. In other words, it causes the
child problems in achieving success at home with the family
and in school environments (at least two different settings).
Great resources for families who want to learn more
about the specific DSM‑5 (
Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders
, Fifth Edition) criteria for
ADHD diagnosis and details for treatment and a team
approach to helping kids with ADHD include the American
Academy of Pediatrics (
aap.org) and Children and
Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
(
chadd.org).
Grown-ups
with ADHD
Attention-deficit/
hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) doesn’t just affect
children. Adults can have
it too.
According to the
National Resource Center
on ADHD, about 10 million
adults in the U.S. have
ADHD. They commonly
have problems like:
■ ■
Losing or quitting jobs
frequently
■ ■
Poor ability to manage
day-to-day tasks, such as
paying bills or completing
household chores
■ ■
Relationship problems
■ ■
Stress over failing
to meet goals and
responsibilities
Many of the treatments
that work well for children
with ADHD benefit adults
as well. Medication, a
structured environment,
and behavioral therapy can
help.
If you think you or a loved
one might have ADHD, talk
to a doctor.
Erin Harnish MD, FAAP
Pediatrics
PeaceHealth Medical Group
1615 Delaware St.
Longview, WA
360-414-2385
Understanding
ADHD
Concerned parent? Learn more about ADHD
symptoms and complete the symptom
checklist. Visit
peacehealth.org/healthy-you.
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Family health