Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a disorder that affects millions of kids around the world
The estimated number of children aged 3–17 years ever diagnosed with ADHD, according to a national survey of parents, is 6 million (9.8%) using data from 2016-2019 (CDC,2023).
ADHD can be extremely overwhelming for parents. Many struggle to control their children’s impulsivity.
It takes time to find the right treatment plan for those diagnosed with this disorder.
ADHD symptoms can vary from kid to kid.
So what are some common signs?
According to the Nemours Foundation (2022) there are 3 major types of ADHD:
- Kids who are inattentive (easily distracted) have trouble focusing their attention, concentrating, and staying on task. They may not listen well to directions, may miss important details, and may not finish what they start.
- Kids who are hyperactive are fidgety, restless, and easily bored. They may have trouble sitting still, or staying quiet when needed. They may rush through things and make careless mistakes.
- Kids who are impulsive act too quickly before thinking. They often interrupt, might push or grab, and find it hard to wait. They may do things without asking for permission.
Finding the best treatment requires a lot of trial and error.
You have to look outside of the box and see what areas your child needs help the most.
There are a variety of treatment modalities that incorporate the use of medications, psychotherapy, changes in diet and changes in daily routines.
To find the best treatment modality you have to ask yourself, what are my child’s current needs?
For example, does your child need academic support?
Don’t be afraid to ask your school providers what programs are available. Your child may need an IEP and/or 504.
So what’s an IEP and a 504 plan?
| IEP | 504 plan | |
| Basic description | A blueprint or plan for a child’s special education experience at school. | A blueprint or plan for how the school will provide support and remove barriers for a student with a disability. |
| What it does | Provides individualized special education and related services to meet a child’s unique needs. These services are provided at no cost to families. | Provides services and changes to the learning environment to enable students to learn alongside their peers. As with an IEP, a 504 plan is provided at no cost to families. |
| What law applies | The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): This is a federal special education law for children with disabilities. | Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: This is a federal civil rights law to stop discrimination against people with disabilities. |
| Who’s eligible | To get an IEP, there are two requirements: A child has one or more of the 13 disabilities listed in IDEA And the disability must affect the child’s educational performance and/or ability to learn and benefit from the general education curriculum. | Two requirements: A child has any disability. Section 504 covers a wide range of different struggles in school. And the disability must interfere with the child’s ability to learn in a general education classroom. Section 504 has a broader definition of a disability than IDEA.That’s why a child who doesn’t qualify for an IEP might still be able to get a 504 plan. |
These academic plans serve as a way to help kids with disabilities.
You may even want to devise a routine.
Some children require a set schedule to get through the day.
Knowing what’s going to happen next, can ease the youth’s anxiety and hyperactivity.
Set clear rules and expectations.
For example, have them pick out their clothes the night before or no technology an hour before bed.
Talk to your provider about what treatments could be beneficial for your child.
Your child may benefit from a combination of all the modalities listed above.
For example some parents have decided to exclude red dye foods to reduce their child’s hyperactivity.
This post was written by Jasmine P., and published by Convenient Counseling Services.
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References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, October 16). Data and statistics about ADHD. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
The Nemours Foundation. (2022, May). ADHD (for parents) – nemours kidshealth. KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/adhd.html
Understood for All Inc. . (2023). The difference between IEPS and 504 plans. Understood. https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-ieps-and-504-plans
