FIT FOR KIDS

PAY ATTENTION:

It’s a common and complex condition, and the multiple symptoms and solutions for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder can be confusing. Here’s a primer to help.

Can’t focus on homework. Can’t stop kicking the table. Gets distracted taking out the trash. Always moving or talking. Can’t take turns. Constantly interrupting. If this sounds familiar, you might live with kids. Or you might live with kids who have ADHD. How can you tell the difference?

The short answer is quality of life. The American Psychiatric Association says ADHD (or attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder) interferes with a child’s day-today life causing stress and disruption. And it shouldn’t go untreated.

Northport, Alabama, Dr. Mark Thomas has made a career researching and treating ADHD in children, teens and young adults. He has honed his craft, in part, at The University of Alabama’s Student Health Care Center as head of the ADHD Clinic and as co-chairman of the ADHD Special Interest Group and the ADHD Clinical Services Subcommittee as a Fellow of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Thomas practices privately now and encourages concerned parents to consult with doctors who are comfortable and experienced in treating ADHD.

BY CHEYENNE MARTIN

MAKE BELIEVE

“It’s a misnomer that ADHD means kids have no attention span. They can often focus for long periods of time on things that have inspiration for them or involve hands-on learning.”

-DR. MARK THOMAS

A STARTING POINT

Parents have an important role in teaching executive skills. These skills include planning, memory, organization, how to shift between tasks, understanding consequences and prioritizing.

“[Parents] should seek out a doctor who does a thorough job to evaluate the child, not just someone who is going to prescribe medication,” Thomas said. “There should be information gathering from a multitude of sources.”

The earlier a child is diagnosed and a proper treatment plan is put into place, the better. Thomas says failing to treat ADHD with medication increases the chance of academic failure, strained relationships and low selfesteem. Adolescents could also struggle in sports and other activities or be at risk for substance abuse, risky behavior and even unsafe driving. Adults can experience mood disorders, suffer with performance at work or even experience legal problems. “Studies show a 50 percent reduction in risk-taking behavior with stimulants,” Thomas said. “The biggest myth we have to dispel is that it doesn’t just affect academics.”

Parents are most likely to spot symptoms during transitions of independence at school: preschool to kindergarten, elementary school to middle school or middle school to high school. At those times, the difficulty of what kids must do independently often overwhelms their inability to focus and organize.

Medication can help, but it isn’t enough. “Medications won’t teach organizational skills, but they can make it easier to learn them,” Thomas said. Parents have an important role in teaching what Thomas calls executive skills. These skills include planning, memory, organization, how to shift between tasks, understanding consequences and prioritizing.

ME VS. MYSELF:

SELF CONFIDENCE

“It’s one of the biggest issues and one of my biggest concerns,” Thomas says. “It’s why I’m passionate that children get the proper treatment at an early age.”

-DR. MARK THOMAS

Thomas also says parents should find different ways to measure their child’s accomplishments. “Praise the effort and get away from the letter grade being the only way to measure success,” he said.

ADHD isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card, though, and proper discipline is essential. “Move away from the shame and blame and understand what the condition causes,” Thomas said. Traditional methods of withholding privileges until grades or behavior improves aren’t effective because kids with ADHD can’t focus on future rewards. Short-term, positive reinforcement makes it easier for ADHD kids to make the association between reward and behavior.

When parents understand, they need to help others understand and advocate for their child at school. Legally, ADHD is a disability that schools are required to accommodate. Sometimes those accommodations will include a longer testing period, a shorter assignment or a move to a classroom with fewer distractions. Teachers who understand ADHD have a positive impact on a child’s success in the classroom because they can level the playing field. “Getting the right accommodations is important,” Thomas said. “It will help kids gain more selfconfidence because they can get things done at their level.” Early intervention establishes a pattern, which is especially helpful when it comes to accommodating important standardized tests like the ACT and SAT.

But not everything needs to be a struggle. Parents help their ADHD child succeed when they encourage them to pursue natural areas of interest. “Find areas they can be successful in and set them up for success instead of failure,” Thomas said. “It’s a misnomer that ADHD means kids have no attention span. They can often focus for long periods of time on things that have inspiration for them or involve hands-on learning.” Parents can encourage their older teens to look for careers that spark passion and stimulate interest.

Successfully treating the whole patient through medication and coping skills is life-changing. Living with untreated ADHD is a struggle, and many of Thomas’ young patients battle with negative feelings of self-worth. “It’s one of the biggest issues and one of my biggest concerns,” he says. “It’s why I’m passionate that children get the proper treatment at an early age.”

Once treatment begins, improvement in a young person’s self-esteem can be quite dramatic, leading to success in other areas of life.

MORE THAN MEDS

While pharmaceuticals continue to be proven and powerful weapons to battle ADHD, they aren’t a cure-all, and in some patients, present side effects that are as bad or worse than the original condition. But there are other treatment options, including many that can be successfully used in tandem with medication. One, Interactive Metronome, is available in the River Region at Integrated Wellness in Montgomery. This biofeedback therapy improves cognitive and motor skills and has been shown to overcome deficits in focus, attention, emotional regulation and more. It works by measuring and improving neurotiming, or the synchronization of neural impulses, within key brain networks. Integrated Wellness also offers information and advice on nutrition plans that can benefit those with ADHD. Owner Ashleigh Livingston is a Certified ADHD/EFD and Holistic Nutrition Coach and a Certified Interactive Metronome clinician.

TOOLS &TEXTS

+ EXPERTS WITH A FEW ANSWERS

RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ADHD AND TREATMENT OPTIONS:

ON THE WEB:

UNDERSTOOD.ORG

Support, tools and resources for learning and attention issues

YON YOUTUBE

CHECK OUT THE “HOW TO ADHD” CHANNEL.

ATTITUDEMAG.COM

Articles, blogs, podcasts and app recommendations from a community of experts

PODCASTS FROM EXPERTS

CHADD.ORG

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder

PROS TO KNOW:

DR. EDWARD HALLOWELL

Author of Driven to Distraction and many more books concerning ADD & ADHD

ASHLEIGH LIVINGSTON

Certified ADHD/EFD and Holistic Nutrition Coach and a Certified Interactive Metronome clinician www.intergratedwellness.com Watch videos from Dr. Hallowell at kidsinthehouse.com.