1. ADHD Symptoms in Children Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the ADHD Quiz
3. Parenting a Child with ADHD Slideshow

Medical Author:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Medical Editor:

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Roxanne Dryden-Edwards, MD

Dr. Roxanne Dryden-Edwards is an adult, child, and adolescent psychiatrist. She is a former Chair of the Committee on Developmental Disabilities for the American Psychiatric Association, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and Medical Director of the National Center for Children and Families in Bethesda, Maryland.

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In this Article

• What is ADHD?
• What are the symptoms of ADHD?
• What should I do if I am concerned that my child might have ADHD?
• What are some behavioral treatments and parenting strategies for parents of children with ADHD?
• Think positively
• Define schedules and routines
• Set clear rules and expectations
• Give clear instructions
• Discipline, rewards, and consequences
• Use time-out effectively
• Ignore, within reason
• Develop organizational aids
• Eliminate distractions
• Set small, attainable goals
• Focus on one or two challenging behaviors at a time
• Find areas in which the child excels
• Promote a healthy lifestyle
• Show your unconditional love
• Take care of yourself
• ADHD resources
• Find a local Psychiatrist in your town
• Tips for Parenting a Child with ADHD Index

CHADD National Office
8181 Professional Place - Suite 150
Landover, MD 20785
Tel: 301-306-7070
Fax: 301-306-7090
www.chadd.org

Mental Health Resource Center
800-969-NMHA
TTY line 800-433-5959

National Mental Health Association
2001 N. Beauregard Street
12th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Phone: 703/684-7722
Fax: 703/684-5968

National Clearinghouse on Teenage Attention Deficit Disorders Resources and Treatment
Phone: 800-729-6686
http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/

REFERENCES:

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition-Treatment Revision 2001.

Contractor, Zainab P. "Pediatric Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder." Medscape.com. Jan. 25, 2012. <http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/912633-overview>.

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Parenting the Child with ADHD.
<http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhprograms/pdf/61A.pdf>.

United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Attention deficit- hyperactivity disorder.
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/treatment.html>.

United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Attention deficit- hyperactivity disorder.
<http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html#1>.

University of Maryland Medical Center. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder- behavioral management.
<http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/managing_attention-deficit_hyperactivity_disorder_000030_9.htm>.