What You Need To Know About ADHD

If your child has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, raising your child can become complicated. Your pediatrician can help. The pediatricians at White Oak Pediatrics in Raleigh, NC, provide comprehensive children’s medical services, including diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.

What You Need to Know about ADHD

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder commonly identified in children. If left untreated and unmanaged, ADHD can cause problems when your child becomes an adult. The frequent fidgeting, lack of attention, difficulty concentrating, and other symptoms can progress. Untreated ADHD can lead to:

• Difficulty in school
• Poor performance at work
• Difficulty forming relationships
• Difficulty working with others

So, how do you raise your child with ADHD? These are a few tips to help:

Create structure and routine for your child to follow each day, including laying out clothes for the next day, and setting times for homework, playtime, meals, and bedtimes.

Use a wall calendar to remind your child of tasks and events.

Break down chores and tasks into easy, manageable pieces.

Create a quiet, restful space for your child to enjoy.

Regulate TV, computer, and gaming time to limit distractions.

Build in time for your child to be active, especially outdoors, to help release excess energy.

Encourage your child to verbalize feelings and emotions, which will help to minimize impulsive outbursts.

Encourage your child to pause before speaking, to limit outbursts.

Regular visits to your pediatrician can help too. Your pediatrician can provide:

• Dietary counseling – to improve overall nutrition and function
• Exercise modification – to encourage healthy outlets and activities
• Medication therapy – to improve brain function, sharpen focus, and increase concentration
• Family counseling – to help family members learn communication skills to foster a healthy family environment

Talk with Your Pediatrician Today

To discover more tips on raising your child with ADHD, call the pediatricians at White Oak Pediatrics in Raleigh, NC. You can reach them in the office by calling (919) 787-0266, so call today.