by Jo Ann Courtney

Created on: June 15, 2008

Identifying ADHD has several bench marks one being behaviors that are long lasting and evident for at least 6 months, with onset before the age of seven.

When a child starts school the teacher my notice the lack of attention, distractibility, the ability to stay on task, and disturbs other students (I am just generalizing in this list, there are more points to consider). At the request of the teacher parents are notified that they suspect the child is ADHD. At this point we as parents are somewhat bewildered and do not know the next steps to take.

These children have had difficult temperaments from very early in life. Sometimes we as parents make excuses or try to make sense of our child's behavior i.e. he or she is just a normal active child or that the child is just being stubborn. Even though our internal gut feeling is telling us something just doesn't quite seem right but we just can't put our finger on it.

Teachers and the school play an important role in evaluation of your child so select a Doctor that is well versed in ADHD and is willing to incorporate the schools finding to evaluate your child. Just remember you know this child better than anyone else and you can seek the opinion of other Child Development Professionals that seems to work best for you and your child.

The professional will give a series of comprehensive evaluations and also review the school evaluation to help determine if your child is ADHD.

In helping your child seek parent training classes, behavior modification classes and strategies, educating yourself on ADHD, working with the school and teachers on an appropriate education program, and last but not least medication, if needed.
Remember working as a team with physician, teachers exchanging feedback information is important in providing a total environment for your children.

Parents join a local ADHD support groups when possible. They provide a wealth of information about interventions that are working for them at home and as well as in the school environment with their children. These groups can help steer you in the right direction with the Federal Laws on ADHD, (any school accepting public dollars are govern by Federal Law) and the rights of your children to a good education.

Support groups can assist you by giving you information on how to set up an individual education plan for your child in order for them to be successful in the school environment.

One really informative support group that is well known and is in most states is CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). Just go into the internet and type in CHADD and link will come up. The other group if you live in Arizona is called PILOT PARENTS located in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Both of these groups have a wealth of knowledge and information on ADHD and other disabilities that will assist you in the care of your child.

I ran a support group for 4 years and the support each members gave one another was wonderful. We had professional speakers that created public awareness in our community and kept all of us informed on the disorder and how to live with it more graciously and effectively.

One of my friends,Debra Maxey, motto was "NEVER GIVE UP". Debbie even put it on her vehicle license plate.

Parents NEVER GIVE UP, get informed, get involved, your child is worth it

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