How to Manage Your Child's ADHD

Figuring out your child’s behavior can be complicated. It’s often hard to separate normal behaviors like boundary testing and independence from behavior that needs to be evaluated by a specialist. Your pediatrician can help. The pediatricians at Greensboro Children's Clinic in Greensboro, NC, offer comprehensive children’s medical care, including screening and treatment of ADHD.

Understanding ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, more commonly known as ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder seen in children, but it can persist into adulthood. Untreated ADHD can result in difficulty and disruption in school, work, personal relationships, and other areas of life.

Your child can benefit from an ADHD screening if your child is frequently:

• Squirming and fidgeting
• Displaying repetitive hand and foot movements
• Having difficulty remaining still
• Running at inappropriate times
• Excessively talking or blurting out comments
• Having difficulty focusing on details
• Having difficulty listening or following directions
• Disorganized or losing things
• Distracted or forgetful

Managing your child’s ADHD can be challenging. You can benefit from the skills of your pediatrician. ADHD treatment begins with a screening and evaluation to determine whether your child has ADHD, or another behavioral disorder.

When a diagnosis of ADHD is established, your pediatrician may recommend a combination of several treatment options, including:

• Behavioral counseling–the goal of behavioral counseling is to limit inappropriate behaviors
• Dietary counseling–to limit sugar intake and improve overall nutrition
• Exercise modification–to help your child establish healthy outlets and activities
• Medication therapy–to help improve brain function, sharpen focus, and increase the ability to concentrate
• Family counseling–to help your family members learn communication skills to foster a positive family environment for your child with ADHD

Talk with Your Pediatrician Today

To discover more about the signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD, talk with the experts. Call the pediatricians at Greensboro Children's Clinic in Greensboro, NC. You can reach them in the office by calling (336) 799-2422, so call today.