ADHD. How can those four letters cause so much stress in your life? And, if you think that attention deficit and hyperactivity is a problem for you, think of how hard it is for your child to deal with that problem. Maybe you've heard from family members and friends words like, "Don't worry, your child will outgrow this stage of his or her life" or "This, too, shall pass." It might pass, but it might also be as painful as a kidney stone passing. 

How did you find out that your child really does have ADHD? Maybe you thought that he or she was just a bit more active than other children. Then, you got a call from your child's teacher asking for a conference. During the conference, maybe the teacher suggested that you have your child evaluated. Whatever the scenario, from things you can do at home to getting professional ADHD help, here are some ideas that might help you.

Help You Can Offer - Have you noticed that your child does better when he or she is on a schedule? For instance, while he or she is at home, think of having each part of his or her day planned. You might even write down the order of the day. For example, on his or her bathroom mirror, you could write a list that might include things like, "Get Dressed. Make Your Bed. Come Down To Breakfast. Be In The Kitchen By 7:30." Do you see how that set schedule might help?

Think of the area where your child needs to do his or her homework. Are there distractions? For example, maybe you have been expecting your child to work at the kitchen table. Does this mean that you can't be preparing dinner at the same time? Do the other kids have to be super quiet in the kitchen area? If that's the case, think about setting up a quiet study area in a place where there aren't distractions, but where you can still monitor your child's work.

Professional Help - Think of finding a family counselor that specializes in children's behavior, including ADHD help. The counselor will have the training and the experience to detect problems just by visiting with your child. In addition, he or she might be asked to take tests that will give a better indication of the depth of his or her ADHD problem. Are you okay with your child taking medications for ADHD?

If you're worried about that, consider talking to your child's teacher. He or she will probably tell you that other children have performed much better in the classroom because they are taking medications. Your child will be closely monitored by both his or her counselor and by the psychiatrist that prescribes the medication. 

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