Suspect That Your Child Has ADHD? How To Get Your Child The Help They Need
If your child is having trouble in school, it might not be related to bad behavior. It might be related to a common behavioral disorder. Studies show that about 6.1 million children had been diagnosed with ADHD by 2016. ADHD can cause a variety of problems for children, including distractibility, peer problems, and behavior problems. Luckily, treatment is available for the disorder. If you suspect that your child is affected by ADHD, take the steps you need to get your child the help you need.
Start With Your Child's Doctor
If your child has been struggling in school and you've noticed changes at home, it's time to talk to their doctor. There are some changes that might point to ADHD. If some of those changes include a difficulty to perform more than one task at a time or an inability to sit still, you should discuss these issues with your child's doctor. Once your child's doctor has made the initial assessment, they can perform an ADHD evaluation.
Speak With the Teachers
If you suspect that your child has ADHD, you need to talk to their teacher. Next to you, the classroom teacher spends the most time with your child during the day. Because of this, their teacher will be best equipped to identify issues that your child might be exhibiting in the classroom. That's why it's important that you talk to your child's teacher about any concerns you might have. This information will be useful during the ADHD evaluation your child will receive.
Keep a Behavior Journal
If you believe that your child needs an ADHD evaluation, now's the time to start a behavioral journal. You'll need to fill out paperwork as part of the evaluation process. Some of the paperwork will require you to provide details about your child's behavior. If any details are left out, it can affect the evaluation, which is why you need to keep a behavior journal. Your journal should include any changes that you've noticed or any behavioral triggers your child may have. Be sure to provide this information to your child's doctor.
Become the Advocate
If you suspect that your child suffers from ADHD and you want them to receive the treatment they need, you'll need to become their advocate. The evaluation process can be lengthy, and any mistakes can result in treatment delays, which is where you step in. As an advocate, you'll make sure that service requests are made in writing, and that your child's file is complete. It's also important that you attend all meetings pertaining to your child's ADHD evaluation.