Does your active child have ADHD?

Christian was one of those toddlers who figuratively and sometimes literally bounced off the walls. He had a hair-trigger temper and would lash out at his brothers for the littlest reason. His energy level was off the charts.

As he got older his parents noticed that he had difficulty paying attention and was easily distracted. Simple instructions were ignored and he was very disorganized with his schoolwork and his daily chores at home. He was forever losing things. He wasn’t at all like his three other siblings who were all what one would describe as high-energy.

Adding up all the possibilities, Christian’s parents started documenting some of his behaviors. They noted how he fidgeted and was always in perpetual motion. He talked non-stop and would interrupt anyone else’s conversation and always had trouble waiting his turn to play a game.

Then when Christian started school, at one of the first parent/teacher conferences, his teacher mentioned that she thought he might be hyperactive but didn’t elaborate until pressed for more information.

Several months later, their pediatrician confirmed their suspicions. Christian had attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The American Psychiatric Association states in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that three to seven percent of school-aged children have ADHD, so this kid wasn’t on his own. As a matter of fact, it’s the APA who set the criteria for diagnosis.

According to the Mayo Clinic website “ADHD is a chronic condition that affects millions of children and often persists into adulthood. ADHD includes a combination of problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.

“Symptoms sometimes lessen with age. However, some people never completely outgrow their ADHD symptoms, but they can learn strategies to be successful. Standard treatments include medications, education, training and counseling. Currently, stimulant drugs (psychostimulants) are the most commonly prescribed medications. They appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.”

There is no specific test for ADHD. The healthcare professionals will rule out any possible medical condition; will gather information such as family medical history, and will interview or provide questionnaires for teachers, baby sitters, family members and anyone else who has direct knowledge of the child.

Christian was put on the drug Ritalin which was the most popular at that time. Today there are several drugs that are effective. His whole family became involved in his treatment by helping him to gradually modify the poor behavior, but it took a lot of baby steps to succeed.

Those steps included providing positive reinforcement for good behavior and facing the consequences for bad actions. They set clear rules and expectations. They made sure that his life was as structured, predictable, calm and organized as possible. Instructions were precise and simple.

His pediatrician was their best resource and the whole family became a support system. Where often other siblings are envious of their parent’s constant distraction of caring for a child with ADHD, this family was able to reinforce their relationship by all being involved in his care.

So, what happened to Christian? He had a natural talent for sports, became a semi-professional baseball player and when he realized that he didn’t have the drive to go into the big leagues he started his own sports drink business. Today he’s a successful businessman, husband and father who credits his parents and siblings for his accomplishments.

Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at 264-4029 and kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.