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Helping Kids Live With ADHD
from Better Health magazine, Summer, 2000
 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, affects about 4 percent to 6 percent of the U.S. population and is commonly diagnosed in early childhood, Kanchan Clark, M.D., a specialist in Child and Adult Psychiatry for Danville Regional Medical Center's Behavioral Health program, explains that ADHD is a treatable disorder.
What are the symptoms of ADHD?
Symptoms include a short attention span, inability to concentrate or stay on task, distractibility, hyperactivity, and inability to relax. It is possible to have the disorder without the hyperactivity. That's why it is often referred to as ADD, or attention deficit disorder. ADHD is often diagnosed when children start school because the symptoms become more apparent in the structured environment of the classroom.
What causes ADHD?
ADHD has genetic and biochemical origins. While exposing a child to a high level of stimulation will not cause ADHD, exposing a child with ADHD to a lot of stimulation may make the problem worse. That's because the stimulation is not helping them develop the skills they need to manage ADHD.
What are common methods of treatment?
Several different medications are available that are helpful. However, they should be used sparingly because some medications can cause undesirable side effects, such as liver damage or stunted growth. By giving frequent, positive reinforcement, behavioral modification can be an effective way to help children cope with ADHD. Parents need to communicate with their child's teachers and make sure they are using similar methods at home and at school.
Is ADHD curable?
About two-thirds of children with ADHD will outgrow it, but some will have symptoms into their twenties. Although they tend to outgrow hyperactivity first, distractibility and lack of concentration may carry into adulthood. There are many ways that adults with ADHD can lead normal, successful lives: they just have to learn to cope with it by going into fast-paced jobs, like working at a day care, or by taking breaks at work frequently.
For more information, contact your child's physician. Or call the Health Referral Service at (434) 799 WELL or toll-free at 1-877-799-WELL. For comments about our web site, or for questions regarding the
many services of Danville Regional Health System, e-mail us.
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