Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Support Group

Support Groups Are Not An Alternative To Treatment

An ADHD support group can be a great resource, but it is important to remember that it should not be your only source of information. Support groups can be helpful when they are included as part of a comprehensive plan that includes professional treatment.

Support groups are not treatment. They can be used to complement medication, therapy, skills training, and other interventions, but they should not be used on their own.

When Should I See My Healthcare Provider

If you or your child is starting on ADHD medication, youll have frequent appointments with a healthcare provider. Theyll need to monitor bodily reactions until you find the right medication and dose. Once youve found a medication that works, your provider will continue to monitor your condition or your childs condition to make sure the medication remains effective.

In some places, there are laws or regulations that require a healthcare provider to see you or your child on a regular basis in order to continue prescribing certain medications . If you dont see them regularly, they cant legally prescribe these medications. Your provider can tell you if this is the case in your area and if required how often youll need to see them.

What Are The Symptoms Of Attention

The following are the most common symptoms of ADHD. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. The 3 categories of symptoms of ADHD include the following:

The symptoms of ADHD may resemble other medical conditions or behavior problems. Keep in mind that many of these symptoms may occur in children and teens who do not have ADHD. A key element in diagnosis is that the symptoms must significantly impair adaptive functioning in both home and school environments. Always consult your child’s doctor for a diagnosis.

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Stress Linked To Adhd

ADHD exerts a significant toll in stress both on families and the children themselves. Children with ADHD typically have difficulties complying with rules, procedures, and routines, often leading to conflict with parents, teachers, and peers. The children themselves experience significant stress in that, for them, concentration and performance in school require great effort even their most ardent attempts frequently result in disappointment or failure. Children with ADHD are often easily frustrated and are therefore highly reactive to stress.

Is Adhd A Disability What Educators Need To Know

As a teacher, you may not feel qualified to help children with ADHD in the classroomespecially if you dont have much experience with it. But classroom interventions can be as simple as slight modifications your instruction or providing small accommodations for your ADHD students. You could, for example, give them extra time to complete homework or give them a folder to organize all of their assignments.

For issues that are beyond your expertise, you can always refer the student to your school counselor or an in-school ADHD specialist, depending on the resources available. Get to know your school counselors or psychologists so if you have a student with ADHD, you know who can help them. If you dont have an ADHD specialist at your school, you could also discuss your concerns with a school administrator. They may be able to get in touch with a specialist within your district or provide accommodations in another form.

If school accommodations are sparse, and the family has not yet looked into professional treatment for their child, it can be helpful to refer parents to ADHD specialists outside of your school. Additionally, try to involve parents in the process of helping or disciplining a child with ADHD in school. Parents will be more familiar with their childs symptoms and may be able to suggest tactics to help their child focus in class.

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What Is Adhd And How Does It Affect Students

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a chronic condition that usually manifests in childhood and affects a child throughout their life. While symptoms vary based on a childs personality, characteristics of ADHD usually involve difficulties staying focused, keeping organized, and controlling impulses.

Of course, definitions can only go so far. Talking to someone with ADHD is the best way to learn what it is and how it feels to live with it. If you dont have anyone to ask in real life, this video from the How to ADHD channel is a great primer for educators on what ADHD is and how it affects academics.

Adhd In The Classroom: How To Support Students With Attention

A survey of educators found that most feel they dont have enough information and classroom management strategies for students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder . Because children with ADHD need the right resources to thrive in the classroom, this can seriously inhibit their ability to reach their academic potential.

As a teacher, you know how important it is to provide support and guidance to these students. The more familiar you are with recognizing and helping students with ADHD, the more likely they are to reach their academic potential and exhibit positive classroom behavior.

In this article, we will define ADHD and list a few symptoms to watch for in your students. Then well discuss helpful classroom management strategies.

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What Are Some Common Adhd Medication Names

Stimulants

The following list contains the names of ADHD medications approved by the FDA. The chart shows the type, class, generic name, brand name and duration of each stimulant ADHD medication.

Non-stimulants

The chart below shows the class, generic name, brand name and duration of each FDA-approved non-stimulant ADHD medication.

Antidepressants

The chart below shows the class, generic name, brand name and duration of certain antidepressants that may help treat ADHD.

What Are The Side Effects Of Adhd Medications

Side effects may occur early during treatment with ADHD medication. These side effects are typically mild and dont last long. They may resolve after a few weeks of treatment as your body adjusts to the medication. Rarely, they can be more severe or last longer. The most common side effects of ADHD medications include:

• Decreased appetite affects about 80% of people who take stimulant medications.
• Weight loss. You may be able to manage any unintended weight loss by taking your medication after meals or adding protein shakes or snacks to your diet.
• Difficulty sleeping. It may take you longer to fall asleep and stay asleep. Overall, you may experience poorer quality sleep. The timing of when you take medications during the day, especially extended release, can help reduce this side effect.

Other ADHD medication side effects may include:

Side effects that dont go away after a few weeks of treatment may be relieved by:

• Changing your medication dosage or schedule.
• Changing to an extended-release formulation.
• Using a different stimulant medication.
• Trying a non-stimulant medication.

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A Basic Counseling Theory

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy provides a theory for developing a group guidance unit that helps students learn how ADHD affects learning behaviors and classroom performance. It offers a rationale for increasing student awareness and the value of practicing school success skills. The theory assumes that an ADHD student cannot exhibit a behavior that has not been learned.

REBT emphasizes behavioral change and self-regulation along with the examination and possible modification of thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and expectations. It is an approach that supports recent treatment interventions for children with ADHD . It is assumed that, while the primary symptoms of the disorder are difficult to ameliorate, it may be possible to help children develop competencies that lower the risk of serious secondary difficulties . According to Myrick , this approach also lends itself to brief counseling that is so often used in schools.

Bath & North East Somerset

1. BANDs BANDs run social opportunities meetings for over 16s who identify on the autism, Asperger syndrome and similar spectrums, including ADD, Non-Verbal Learning Disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, social anxiety, dyscalculia, Bipolar, Borderline Personality disorder, Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, OCD and schizophrenia. Participants may attend the group regardless of a diagnosis. Anyone who identifies as having something similar to these conditions will be considered for inclusion on a case-by-case basis. Meetings are held in Bath, Frome, Weston-super-Mare and Bristol. Please email bathfiltonbands@gmail.com.

2.Bath Area ADHD Support Group: A support group for parents/carers and a network of families at Bath Community Academy, Rush Hill, Bath BA2 2QL Email: adhdbath@gmail.com

3. See also Bristol Adult ADHD Support Group

4. ADHD Support Group Keynsham: A support group for parents which meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at Keynsham Baptist, High Street, Keynsham, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Has activities for children so that parents can talk with each other. Contact details available from Rainbow Resource

Bedfordshire

1. Outside-iN: a community interest company dedicated to supporting and educating families, adults and professionals living with or working with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder , Autistic Spectrum Conditions and associated conditions. Email: enquiries@outsidein-solutions.co.uk or Tel: 01462 813282 or use the form on their website.

Berkshire

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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Management

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder management options are evidence-based practices with established treatment efficacy for ADHD. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends different treatment paradigms depending on the age of the person being treated. For those aged 45, the Academy recommends evidence-based parent- and/or teacher-administered behavior therapy, with the addition of methylphenidate only if there is continuing moderate-to-severe functional disturbances. For those aged 611, the use of medication in combination with behavior therapy is recommended, with the evidence for stimulant medications being stronger than that for other classes. For those aged 1218, medication should be prescribed with the consent of the treated adolescent, preferably in combination with behavioral therapy. The evidence for the utility of behavioral interventions in this aged group was rated only “C” quality, however.

The parents and teachers must work together to help with the child’s education. This includes engaging activities and limiting screen time.

As of 2006 there was a shortage of data regarding ADHD drugs’ potential adverse effects, with very few studies assessing the safety or efficacy of treatments beyond four months, and no randomized controlled trials assessing for periods of usage longer than two years.

Who Is Affected By Attention

Estimates suggest that about 4% to 12% of children have ADHD. Boys are 2 to 3 times more likely to have ADHD of the hyperactive or combined type than girls.

Many parents of children with ADHD experienced symptoms of ADHD when they were younger. ADHD is commonly found in brothers and sisters within the same family. Most families seek help when their child’s symptoms begin to interfere with learning and adjustment to the expectations of school and age-appropriate activities.

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Signs Of Adhd: What Teachers Should Look For

Remember that as a teacher, you are not qualified to officially diagnose a student, but you can advise a specialist as needed. If you suspect that a child might have ADHD, it is best to discuss this concern with their family and with your school administrators. After speaking to the childs family, and if the child has not been diagnosed with ADHD, you may want to encourage that family to visit a pediatrician or other specialist.

Symptoms of ADHD may vary depending on the childs age and how much support theyve received. For elementary school teachers, here are a few early signs of ADHD to look for:

• Low self-control
• Difficulty staying focused on lessons
• Hyperactivity that interferes with a childs ability to pay attention
• Trouble organizing assignments and belongings
• Excessive talking with peers and difficulty staying quiet while working

To learn more about ADHD signs and how these might present in the classroomalong with common misconceptionsuse this video from ADDitude Magazine as a guide.

Understanding Adhd In A Learning Environment

During the past decade, researchers linked the causes of ADHD to neurological and genetic factors. It appears that these factors may play a more important role than social or environmental ones, making the disorder a treatable but not necessarily curable one . This also suggests that the disorder might be managed but it is not likely to disappear. Barkley identified impulsivity as a hallmark of the disorder. Impulsive behavior is also frequently seen in cases in which students are referred to school administrators for discipline. The greatest number of classroom problems and referrals associated with ADHD are related to behaviors that often cause conflicts with teachers and other students . Counselors want to help ADHD students gain the most from school by helping them manage their behavior and adjust to rules and procedures.

Although the onset of ADHD for most children is prior to age 4, it is most often diagnosed when a child is in elementary school . This is when children are introduced to the structure and demands of the educational system. How students learn to manage themselves and the learning environment during their first few years of school often determines how successful they will be in later years.

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How Long Will My Child Or I Have To Take Adhd Medication

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a lifelong condition that has no cure. Its not like taking an antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection. Youll have to keep taking ADHD medication to manage your symptoms.

In addition, up to 50% of children with ADHD will continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. If you have found a medication that helps you manage your symptoms, it may be helpful to keep taking it throughout your life.

Something To Keep In Mind

When it comes to most forums and online support groups on Facebook or other outlets, anyone can post. Advice given may not align with medical practices and could potentially be harmful. If youre interested in trying something another user suggests, its advisable to speak with a healthcare or mental health professional first.

ADHD is different in adults, and it presents with its own set of challenges that can lead individuals to feel alone in their experience. In fact, research has shown that adults present with a broader set of symptoms than children.

Although it has taken some time for adult ADHD to become more recognized in the therapeutic world, those living with ADHD have historically taken the initiative to form communities of peer support to connect with others who can relate, empathize, and provide advice.

For those who are newly diagnosed, these communities can also provide education and an understanding of treatment options.

Local Children and Adults with ADHD chapters

As the largest national support organization for ADHD, CHADD is a nonprofit organization that supports children and adults with ADHD with programs, conferences, and resources.

They offer a variety of resources, including support groups, called Affiliates. On CHADDs website, you can search by state to find the closest group. The organization also offers a resource directory where you can search for professionals in your area who may know of other local support groups.

ADDitude Magazines forum

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Check Out Our Current Listing Of Virtual Support Groups And Virtual Workshops

After the peer support call is over I am going to hang up and cry. This has been so helpful. I have never spoken to anyone else with ADD. To hear all of your voices intelligent, funny, fun people. The advice I got here has changed my life, thank you.Jane, Los Angeles, CA

Would you like to meet with other adults with ADHD without leaving the comfort and privacy of your home? ADDA Virtual Peer Support offers ADDA members* the opportunity to connect with peers for support in a safe non-judgmental environment.

I am so inspired by the conversation, talking with people from all over the country with the same issues as me. I have felt like I was stuck on stupid for 50 years since I got my ADD diagnosis so late in life. After this call I feel not so alone.

Melanie, North Carolina

To get more information and call details, please complete the form below and we will be in touch with you shortly.

*You must be an ADDA member to participate in the Virtual support groups.

I was able to join in on tonights call and listen. I was really happily surprised to hear how supportive and informative everyone was. People were respectful and they were honest. Im so glad I tried it. It helped me realize Im not the only one who feels the way I feel in many situations described. I look forward to joining in on another call. Thanks.

Leslie, New Hampshire

Psychotherapy And Psychosocial Interventions

Several specific psychosocial interventions have been shown to help individuals with ADHD and their families manage symptoms and improve everyday functioning.

For school-age children, frustration, blame, and anger may have built up within a family before a child is diagnosed. Parents and children may need specialized help to overcome negative feelings. Mental health professionals can educate parents about ADHD and how it affects a family. They also will help the child and his or her parents develop new skills, attitudes, and ways of relating to each other.

All types of therapy for children and teens with ADHD require parents to play an active role. Psychotherapy that includes only individual treatment sessions with the child is not effective for managing ADHD symptoms and behavior. This type of treatment is more likely to be effective for treating symptoms of anxiety or depression that may occur along with ADHD.

Behavioral therapy is a type of psychotherapy that aims to help a person change their behavior. It might involve practical assistance, such as help organizing tasks or completing schoolwork, or working through emotionally difficult events. Behavioral therapy also teaches a person how to:

• monitor their own behavior
• give oneself praise or rewards for acting in a desired way, such as controlling anger or thinking before acting

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