Space Coast Parent - April 2018

Assisting
children
with ADHD
By Michelle Spitzer
Childhood disorders can have a negative
impact on many areas in the life of a
child, including social, emotional, relational,
educational, behavioral, familial,
spiritual and economical. ADHD is one
such disorder. Early interventions, including
diagnosis and treatment can alleviate
the cumulative impact on any of
the above-mentioned domains.
Dr. Carol Atkinson, a Licensed Psychotherapist
and Certiÿed ADHD Consultant
of CaBrit Psychotherapy Services
provides some tips to help parents
identify symptoms of ADHD in their
child/ren. These tips are not exhaustive;
therefore, it is important that the child is
seen by a mental health professional for
a comprehensive evaluation.
How would I know if my child has
ADHD?
There are three broad categories to
help you identify indicative behaviors.
These are hyperactivity, impulsivity,
and inattention. Behaviors include children
who:
❚ Find it hard to maintain interest in
activities
❚ Lose things, forget things and is often
late and unprepared
❚ Daydream, and struggle to process
information quickly
❚ Act or speak before thinking
❚ Is constantly on the go
The symptoms must exist in more
than one environment in the child’s life,
e.g., home and school, and have occurred
for at least six months.
When should I be concerned
enough to get help for my child?
If you observe speciÿc behaviors in
your child, or experience anything from
the list below, and the behaviors are to
such an extent that they interfere with
the functioning of your child’s usual activities
of daily living, this is a good indicator
that you might need to seek professional
help:
❚ Increased contact from teacher
about behaviors in the classroom
❚ Frequently fails to complete homework,
and the work is messy
❚ Environment and personal space is
disorganized
Dr. Carol Atkinson is a Marriage and
Family Therapist for CaBrit
Psychotherapy Services in
Melbourne. CRAIG RUBADOUX/
SPECIAL TO FLORIDA TODAY
Dr. Atkinson can be contacted by
phone 321-805-2982 or email:
Dr.A@Cabritpsych.com
❚ Fails to focus on a task or see it
through to completion
❚ Fidgety and constantly on the move
❚ Seems distracted during conversations
even without external distractions
❚ Frequently interrupts during conversations
where he/she is not a participant
❚ Does not remain seated in places
where seating is required
Are there different types of
ADHD?
Yes. There are three di“ erent types of
the disorder; the inattentive type, characterized
predominantly by inattention;
the hyperactive/impulsive type, characterized
predominantly by hyperactivity
and impulsivity, and the combined
type, characterized by symptoms from
all three of the broad categories.
What kind of help is available if
my child is diagnosed with ADHD?
There are various treatment options
available to treat ADHD. Psychotherapeutic
interventions can assist with behavior
changes; parent skills training
and classroom management training
are evidenced-based treatment modalities
that are also e“ ective, and can be
provided through psychotherapy. Recent
research reveals e“ ectiveness in
treating the child’s entire environment,
i.e., school, peer group and home. Medication
is another treatment option, and
though medication does not cure
ADHD, the medication can help to manage
the symptoms so that your child can
be more successful throughout the
school day. Medication can also be combined
with psychotherapy as a treatment
modality. It is very important that
your child is monitored while taking
medication, either by their pediatrician
or a psychiatrist.
How will my child be affected at
school if he/she is diagnosed with
ADHD?
First and foremost, it is important for
you as a parent to liaise with the school.
Every public school has an ESE (Exceptional
Student Education) specialist,
who will work with you and your child to
help your child function at their optimum,
and endeavor to attain academic
goals as expected. Your child can be
evaluated by the education department
and you will be invited to participate in
meetings about your child’s progress.
The process can be long and arduous,
but it is a worthy road to travel to fulÿl
your child’s educational needs and ultimate
goals. There will be many acronyms
for you to become familiar with as
you embark upon this journey with your
child, for example, IEP (Individual Education
Plan), RTI (Response to Interventions),
FBA (Functional Behavior Assessment)
and many more. As a parent
it is imperative to remember that you
are the expert on your child, and as professionals
we are the experts in our chosen
ÿelds. Collaboration with professionals
is highly recommended. With
your child’s welfare being paramount as
a shared guiding principle, collaborative
e“ orts often bring about positive
change, and sets a precedence for navigating
what may initially seem like a
maze.
How can I help my child at home?
It is very important for children with
the diagnosis of ADHD, to live in an environment
that provides them with routine
and structure. Parents can create
an environment where certain activities,
for example, meal times and bed
times are the same time every day.
Within the broader parameters of the
home, as a parent, there are many small
changes you can implement to alleviate
some of the challenges faced by your
child. For example, keep the home organized,
including your child’s personal
space and belongings - “give everything
a home.” Ensure all the adults in your
child’s life provides your child with the
same messages – consistency is a crucial
feature to assist children with understanding
boundaries. Also, limit distractions
during activities, avoid giving
multi-step instructions, and simplify
tasks using child friendly language.
Most important, be your child’s role
model and lead by example.
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APRIL 2018 2018 Space Coast Parent | 5