Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects 7 percent of 3- to 17-year-old children in the U.S., according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Symptoms of ADHD include non-stop talking, difficulty organizing projects, not completing tasks, becoming easily bored, constant movement and motion, interrupting and fidgeting. Treatment generally includes behavioral, medical, educational and psychological services. Parents of children with ADHD will find local and online resources available.
Behavioral Resources
Parents, the primary source of help for a child with ADHD, require guidance and information to help modify their child's behavior. Parenting books and CDs are available from local libraries and online to help parents implement new parenting strategies. Jim Fay and Foster Cline, founders of Love and Logic Parenting, produce several parenting tools for parents of children with ADHD. In addition, CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) provides ADHD parenting resources through its online store.
Medical Resources
For most parents,a child's pediatrician becomes the primary source of medical care for treating ADHD. If a child does not have a pediatrician, a local hospital will provide names of local pediatricians. The websites of the National Institute of Mental Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer articles about ADHD and medications used to treat the condition. In addition, many university health centers, such as University of Virginia, University of Michigan and Duke University, maintain online and phone resources about ADHD.
Educational Resources
Children with a diagnosis of ADHD may be entitled to receive educational services to assist them in school. Parents should talk to their child's school, contact other parents and visit Wrightslaw.com. Wrightslaw, the largest Internet site dedicated to special education, provides articles and legal information about what a child is entitled to and how parents should pursue the educational services their child requires. Wrightslaw.com reminds parents that few school personnel receive adequate training about managing ADHD and may blame the children and their parents for problems and disruptions.
Psychological Resources
Parents of children with ADHD may require psychological services for their child and for themselves. A child's pediatrician can provide referrals to local mental health professionals specializing in ADHD and related parenting issues. Emotional support for parents also comes in the form of support groups. Pediatricians, mental health providers, and hospitals can provide information about ADHD support groups. Several online organizations provide lists of local ADHD support groups including CHADD and NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness).
