1. Parent University Night
Facts about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
January 11th, 2017
Presented By:
Roshni Patel, LMFT #45804
Sheryl Wiltsey, School Psychologist, NCSP

2. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Quick Facts
ADHD is a medical diagnosis determined by your child’s doctor.
Three types of ADHD: Inattentive (previously referred to as “ADD”), Hyperactive/Impulsive, and Combined types.
This diagnosis is more common in males (12% of males) than in females (5% of females).
The Center for Disease Control estimates indicate 11% of children ages 4 to 17 years had received this diagnosis as of This was increased 42% from In this survey, 69% of children with this diagnosis were taking medication to address symptoms (this had increased 28% from 2007)
Many factors may contribute to this increase, including changes in diagnostic criteria, increase in federally-approved medications, increase in awareness and access to information. Some have suggested that environmental factors such as diet, exercise, and screen exposure also have an impact on symptoms (though evidence does not suggest that they cause ADHD).
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Quick Facts

3. Symptoms of ADHD Inattentive Type
Often fails to give close attention to details, makes careless mistakes.
Often has difficulty sustaining attention.
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly (appears to be elsewhere).
Often has difficulty organizing activities.
Often avoids tasks requiring sustained mental effort.
Often loses necessary materials for tasks.
Easily distracted by extraneous stimuli/thoughts.
Forgetful in daily activities.
Symptoms of ADHD Inattentive Type

4. Symptoms of ADHD Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
Fidgets often/taps hands/squirms in seat.
Often leaves seat when expected to remain seated.
Often runs/climbs when inappropriate.
Often unable to play quietly.
Often “on the go” or acting as if “driven by a motor.”
Often talks excessively.
Often blurts out answers before questions are completed.
Often has difficulty awaiting turn.
Often interrupts/intrudes on others.
Symptoms of ADHD Hyperactive-Impulsive Type

5. Strategies you can Use at Home
You don’t need to buy resources for reward systems (you can make them from things around the home). Also, if you are not almost done with hw and you see your child begin to fidget, you can always have a scheduled break (5-10 minutes, timed if needed). If your child can play for only that time and come back, great. If not, their break can be for a snack, water, or quiet time.
Strategies you can Use at Home

6. Strategies you can Use at Home
One thing to notice about these videos is that these are good parents and just need to use some strategies.
Strategies you can Use at Home

7. Strategies You Can Use at Home
Provide structure in home environment (scheduled homework and bed times, etc.)
Create homework schedule and environment with limited distractions.
Create task lists which your child can check-off as they go through longer tasks.
Utilize timers to chunk assignments into small parts.
Strategies You Can Use at Home

8. Strategies You Can Use at Home
Ensure regular sleep.
Many children with ADHD struggle to get to sleep because their mind feels as thought it is ‘racing.’ Strategies to help students get to sleep can include creating a regular bedtime and wake-up time (even on weekends), removing all electronics from the room, not allowing electronic use within a specified time (i.e. an hour) before sleep.
Strategies You Can Use at Home

9. Strategies You Can Use at Home
Utilize reward system, especially for longer or more difficult tasks.
It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it does need to be rewarding.
Using colorful/preferred stickers or shapes toward a reward can be useful for older children (see sticker chart examples).
Ensure your child knows exactly what is expected and that what is expected is reasonable for your child (see resources).
Examples of free/inexpensive rewards: 5 extra minutes before bed time, choosing the book for you to read to them, allow him/her to choose dessert one night, game night or movie night with family, 5 extra video game minutes.
Strategies You Can Use at Home

10. Reward System Examples

11. You may consult with your child’s pediatrician regarding a diagnosis and supports which are available medically.
While it is not necessary to receive a diagnosis, it does help school staff to fully recognize your child’s specific needs.
Choices about medication are between your family and your pediatrician. If you are unsure, discuss your concerns with your doctor.
Other supports provided by some insurance carriers may include parenting classes which review strategies for supporting ADHD symptoms and behavior management/counseling support depending on areas of need.

12. It is recommended to look for support from your friends, family, and local or internet-based support groups for families with children who have ADHD.
If your child is struggling in school due to ADHD symptoms, there are strategies that can be provided through your child’s school as well.
It Takes A Village

13. School-Based Supports
If you are concerned about your child’s academic performance, speak to his or her teacher about your concerns.
You or the child’s teacher may call a Student Study Team (SST) meeting involving yourself and various school staff to discuss potential supports to help your student become more successful.
In some cases, it is warranted to utilize the doctor’s diagnosis of ADHD to create a 504 plan, which provides the accommodations to your child until the 504 team (including yourself) determine they are no longer needed (this is a legal document with a list of accommodations and modifications specific to the needs of your child).
When multiple strategies have been tried (which should include teacher-based strategies and may or may not include home-based strategies, medication and other insurance-based strategies such as parent classes) and the child continues to show severe symptoms of ADHD significantly impacting his or her ability to meet grade-level standards, assessment may be recommended to determine qualification for an Individual Education Plan (IEP). This is a function of Special Education and involves providing more intensive academic services for your child depending on evaluated need.
School-Based Supports

14. ADHD strategies: http://www. everydayhealth
ADHD strategies: child/adhd-behavior-management-strategies/
ADHD strategies: adhd/parenting-adhd-child-easy-techniques-work/
Behavior management plans: management-plan-for-an-adhd-child/
Center for Disease Control Statistics related to ADHD:
National Institute of Mental Health hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/index.shtml
Resources