Have you ever wondered, "Is this just normal misbehavior, or is there something else going on?" When you look at your child's behavior, you might wonder? Sometimes, a teacher is the first to notice a change in your child's behavior. But a teacher can't tell for sure whether your child has ADHD. So if you have any concerns about your child, the best thing to do is to see your child's pediatrician .
How should you get ready before going to see the doctor?
To help your doctor diagnose your child with ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), you can gather some important information. It's easier for both you and the doctor to write this down in a notebook.
Remember, the information you provide is the greatest help for the doctor in accurately understanding your child's condition.
Think about the things in the table below and add some information .
| Information to be collected | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Child's symptoms: Problems at home and at school, such as restlessness, lack of attention. | It is possible to understand whether these behaviors are the same everywhere, or only in some places. |
| Recent major life changes: moving house, moving to a new school, losing a family member, etc. | Sometimes children can show symptoms similar to ADHD due to severe stress. |
| Other health problems: Other illnesses, allergies, etc. that the child has. | It is important to be aware of other medical conditions, as these behaviors can also be caused by them. |
| Medications, vitamins: Tell us about any medications, vitamins, or Ayurvedic herbs your child is taking (including the dosage and frequency). | Some medications can cause things like lack of attention as a side effect. |
It's also a good idea to bring your child's school report cards and test scores. Write down some questions you want to ask the doctor. For example, you can ask questions like, "What psychological tests should my child have?" or "Could these symptoms be caused by something other than ADHD?"
The doctor will also ask you questions. It's good to be prepared for that.
| Things you can ask your doctor: | |
|---|---|
| When did the child start having these symptoms? | Are these behaviors always present? Or only sometimes? |
| How severe are these problems at home and at school? | How does the child's behavior affect him or her and the rest of the family? |
| Has a close family member been diagnosed with ADHD? (This condition can run in families.) | |
What happens during an evaluation to determine if you have ADHD?
Simply put, the doctor collects information from you, your child, and the school, looks at it all, and makes a decision. It's like solving a puzzle.
Information collection
The doctor will talk to you, your child, your child's teachers, and possibly adults involved in your child's life, such as a tutor or coach. He or she may also give you and the teacher standardized evaluation forms to fill out. If possible, the doctor may also observe your child in class.
Special tests
Sometimes, a special test may be recommended to look at your child's educational and classroom needs. This is called a psychoeducational evaluation. This can help identify learning disabilities, such as ADHD, as well as dyslexia. This test usually includes:
- IQ testing
- Achievement testing
- Tests that measure things like attention and memory
In some developed countries, brain wave scans, such as the NEBA System, are also used to diagnose ADHD. But that is only one part of a complete medical examination.
After doing all of this, if it is confirmed that your child has ADHD, the doctor will explain to you what type of ADHD it is. Then, they will help you create a treatment plan that is appropriate for your child .
A treatment plan for ADHD usually includes both medication and behavioral therapy.
Medication can control symptoms. Behavioral therapy helps children develop good habits . For example, parents are taught to reward children for good behavior and to give consequences for bad behavior.
Things you can do now until you see a doctor
If you are planning to take your child to the doctor, or are waiting to make an appointment, there are some things you can start doing right now to help your child.
- Make a daily schedule: Make sure your child's day is consistent and organized. Include homework time and playtime, and post the schedule where your child can see it.
- Make expectations clear: Be clear and simple about what you expect from your child. Be consistent about the consequences if they don't do those things. Also, praise and reward them immediately when they follow the rules. Stop constantly blaming and criticizing.
- Help organize things: Create a place to put things like clothes, school bags, and books. Get your child involved in this.
- Help your child remember things: The same methods you use to remember things (an alarm, making lists, sticky notes) can work for your child too. Find a method that works for them and help them remember their work and assignments.
- Be a good role model: Control your emotions in front of your child. Behave yourself in the way you want your child to behave.
Sometimes children with ADHD may also have other mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety. In such cases, counseling is definitely included in the treatment plan.
Take-Home Message
- If you have any concerns about your child's behavior, don't ignore it. See a pediatrician for advice.
- ADHD is not your child's fault or yours. It is a neurodevelopmental condition that can be managed .
- Gathering some necessary information before meeting the doctor will greatly help in making an accurate diagnosis.
- Treatment is not just about medication. The best results are achieved when all three are combined: medication, behavioral therapy, and parental support .
- You are not alone in this journey. There are many children in Sri Lanka who suffer from this condition and many parents and doctors who help them. Get the right guidance.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න