Diagnosing children and teens with ADHD can be a challenge. Very often the child or teen that comes to the office will have both a neurologically based Attention Deficit Disorder, as well as some other clinical condition that requires treatment. There are commonly two reasons for this:
First, because of a "fragile" brain. With the ADHD, some parts of the brain may be under-active, while other parts of the brain may be over-active. When the brain is already "out of balance," it is not uncommon to see neurologically based depressions, obsessive-compulsive disorders, learning disabilities, or even panic disorders.
Second, even if ADHD is the only neuologically based problem, constant failure at home, at school, and socially, can result in sadness, depression, anxiety, fear, worry, and giving up.
In children and teens diagnosed with ADHD we see these other problems:
· About 50% also have an Oppositional Defiant Disorder, or as teens a Conduct Disorder;
· About 30% have a Mood Disorder such as Depression;
· About 25% have problems with Anxiety, Worry, excessive fears, or Panic Disorders;
· About 25% have a specific Learning Disorder, making school even harder.
As a result of these kinds of problems, added on top of the problem of Attention Deficit Disorder, we get these results in the real world:
· Nearly 60% of students with ADHD will fail at least one grade in school;
· 30% of teens with ADHD will not graduate from High School;
· Only 5% of teens with ADHD will go on to graduate from college.
What is the solution? Children and teens with ADHD must receive appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and support. This is a disorder that CANNOT be ignored by parents, grandparents, teachers, pastors, or friends. ADHD is not just a matter of behavior around the dinner table. This is a situation that can impact a person's entire life.
Increase the odds of success by providing whatever level of treatment is necessary to bring about success. There are lots of treatment choices to choose from. Please don't put it off until "later." Learn what you can do right now by visiting the ADHD Information Library.
Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family therapist who has been working with ADHD children and their families since 1986. He is the clinical director of the ADHD Information Library's family of seven web sites, including http://www.newideas.net, helping over 350,000 parents and teachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr. Cowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of VAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central California, and is President of NewIdeas.net Incorporated.
There are many parenting styles. Yours may be very different... Read More
The school holidays are a great time for the kids,... Read More
The teenage years are a crucial time in a child's... Read More
Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought your... Read More
I was in the life insurance sales industry for over... Read More
A number of scientific studies have shown the way a... Read More
The debate in many towns continues throughout this country about... Read More
Being consistent when children are less than perfect can make... Read More
Why are more people, especially parents not outraged?I call it... Read More
Coping with a child's bad behavior, perhaps more than any... Read More
Does this sound familiar? Have your kids not listened to... Read More
In my opinion, these things matter...1. Enjoying childlike delights before... Read More
As a hypnotherapist, I am acutely aware of the power... Read More
Teens don't learn responsibility overnight. If you haven't been working... Read More
I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More
Even as a busy parent, I'm sure you've seen a... Read More
I have a bit of a different response than most... Read More
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With... Read More
The Internet is one of the greatest inventions of all... Read More
Moms and dads, are there times you think that parenting... Read More
What's in a name? Er?well, everything, really! Of course your... Read More
I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
Incest is sexual activity, ranging from fondling to intercourse, between... Read More
Many parenting books advise against eating out with young children.... Read More
Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe... Read More
You may remember The Red Couch Project, a book by... Read More
Do you struggle to get your child to bed at... Read More
In June, elementary school children across North America cheered as... Read More
Remember when cash was a tangible commodity in all of... Read More
The cruel callous remarks made by our offspring can sometimes... Read More
My oldest boy is fifteen and was a real jerk... Read More
More and more parents are expressing their concerns about how... Read More
School authorities continually claim that they want more parent cooperation... Read More
Vacations are fun ! Weekends with the family are nice.... Read More
The biggest complaint you hear from parents about their children... Read More
A great many parents are concerned that the electronic games... Read More
The techniques of managing relationships between parents and their children... Read More
The law of -ing.The law of -ing refers to a... Read More
Jason Roberts listened to his son's explanation of the missing... Read More
Ask parents what their biggest school year challenge is, and... Read More
Parents are losing their self-control to anger. A friend called... Read More
One of the most prevalent myths of our modern culture... Read More
The Internet, is magnificent in its resources for families. Educational... Read More
The back-to-school shopping is done. Brand new pencils, colored markers,... Read More
Let's be honest! When it comes to parenting, men expect... Read More
Results of the Spanking Poll on Rexanne.com: Voters - 233Percentage... Read More
Once upon a time there was a beautiful bird whose... Read More
It has been a long day. Home from work, you... Read More
We were all teens at one time for some many... Read More
Imagine you were the principal of the school that your... Read More
Sex has a lot to answer for ? babies usually... Read More
Back to school preparations are in full-swing. Soon, the first... Read More
Several similar terms describe the central attribute of a character... Read More
I've learned numerous, important lessons on life, motherhood and men... Read More
Your Virgo Baby..August 23 - September 22Virgo children are honest... Read More
It's hard to explain to the uninitiated the changes that... Read More
When I was pregnant, we knew that we had some... Read More
In the wonderment of childhood, it is easier for a... Read More
"The greatest gift I ever had Came from God, and... Read More
Before my daughter was born my house was... Read More
If you are like most people today, you do not... Read More
The key to lifelong learning is reading and writing. When... Read More
Children are notoriously bad at drinking enough liquids. They are... Read More
For several years now, I've told the following story as... Read More
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
When my daughter was born, I must admit there was... Read More
Parenting |