My Child has ADD. Now What?
Many people who have attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) receive their diagnoses in childhood. Once you and your child understand the neurological issues at the root of behavioral problems like uncontrolled daydreaming, impulsivity, and social interaction issues, you can find ways to adjust and improve their daily life.
At Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates, LLC, located in North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, our team, led by Dr. Ronald P. Winfield, supports patients and families adjusting to pediatric ADD/ADHD. Once your child is diagnosed, we can help find accommodations and interventions to manage symptoms and improve overall quality of life.
Understanding ADD/ADHD
Many of the symptoms of ADD/ADHD cause frustration for children and parents alike. Attention disorders result in problems with controlling focus. Your child might struggle to pay attention to school, homework, or other tasks. Impulsive behavior and hyperactivity can also occur due to ADD/ADHD.
Not all attention disorders come with hyperactivity symptoms. If your child has ADD, an older term still sometimes used for primarily inattentive ADHD, bouncing off the walls won’t be how the condition presents.
Instead, children with this type of disorder struggle with inattention and daydreaming, getting lost in thought, and drifting off-task. Your child might not get in trouble for acting out, but inattentive ADD/ADHD remains an obstacle for learning and growth.
Following directions or remembering tasks presents a real challenge for a child with inattentive ADD. Children with this diagnosis often lose important personal items like keys, documents, and other belongings, and schoolwork and personal spaces show signs of disorganization.
Coping with ADD/ADHD
ADD/ADHD symptoms seem like disobedience but have neurological roots. Life with ADD/ADHD is anything but easy! Once you have your child’s diagnosis, you can move beyond disciplinary standoffs and address the real cause of your child’s mental and behavioral struggles.
Early detection offers your child a headstart in getting a handle on their condition. Understanding their unique mental chemistry gives your child a better chance of successful mental health management in adult life. And, when you understand your child’s diagnosis, you can provide real and effective support.
At Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates, our team of mental health experts work with you and your child on a customized ADD/ADHD treatment plan. Depending on your child’s diagnosis and symptoms, your child could benefit from:
- Psychotherapy or counseling, including cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Medication management, addressing brain chemistry issues at the source with either stimulant or nonstimulant medications
- Behavioral interventions, including school interventions, parent training, exposure therapy, and social skills development support
- Lifestyle and nutritional changes
With our holistic, integrative approach to treating ADD/ADHD, your child can thrive after diagnosis. To help your child with ADD/ADHD manage symptoms and continue to reach full potential, get in touch with Dr. Winfield and the Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates team today.
You can schedule an appointment by calling 978-291-6978 now, or book online.