How to Tell a Kid About ADHD

If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, you may be helping him by giving him prescribed medication, modifying the way you discipline him, or taking him to therapy. You've probably told his teachers about the diagnosis so they know what to expect and can accommodate his needs. But have you sat down and talked to your child about ADHD? It's important that he understands what's going on with his body and mind so that he can play an active role in his treatment.

Instructions

Talking About ADHD

• 1

  Get the scary stuff out of the way first. Children usually think seeing doctors and taking medicine means they must be sick. Reassure your child that she isn't physically ill, that she won't need to get a shot or go to the hospital.

• 2

  Discuss blame versus responsibility. It isn't your child's fault he has ADHD, and he must know that. He didn't catch it from anyone, and can't give it to anyone. It's just part of the way he's made, like the color of his hair or the size of his feet.

  Acknowledge the fact that ADHD can make it difficult to control his behavior sometimes, but reinforce the fact that ADHD is not an excuse to behave however he wants. Tell your child that he may have to work hard to remember to follow the rules, and make sure he knows that you believe in his ability to do this.

• 3

  Use positive language: don't refer to your child as "crazy," "hyper" or "lazy."

• 4

  Give age-appropriate information. A six-year-old probably won't understand a discussion about different theories about the causes of ADHD, but a high-schooler may feel more in control of her life armed with as much information as possible.

• 5

  Use concrete examples of his behavior to help him understand his condition. Simply saying "You're more active than most kids" is vague and probably won't help him see why he needs extra care. Instead, give specific examples: "It's hard for you to sit still through your entire math lesson. If we work on controlling your ADHD, you'll get better at that, your grades will improve and you'll have more time to play instead of redoing your homework every night."

• 6

  If your child is taking medication, talk to him about why he needs it and the importance of taking the right dosage and taking it every day. When your child is old enough to take his medicine without your direct supervision, stress the dangers of sharing his medication with other kids, taking too much, or stopping without talking to you and his doctor.

• 7

  Listen to her concerns and answer her questions honestly. If you don't know the answer to a question, go to the doctor or another reliable source together to find it.

• 8

  Include siblings in a discussion about your child's ADHD, and follow the above guidelines when talking to them. Living with a child with ADHD can be difficult: the affected child often gets more attention than the other kids, simply because he requires it. ADHD can cause children to be aggressive and disruptive, making things uncomfortable and unpleasant for other children in the home. Being honest about her condition can help curb resentment between her and her siblings and encourage understanding and a better relationship.