What parents of children with ADHD say
We asked parents of children with ADHD what surprises they encountered after the diagnosis and what they would tell other parents facing the same situation.
One aspect parents mentioned most often: Expect the process to be time- consuming. More than half (53 percent) of them said to be prepared for the time it takes to discuss schoolwork and behavior with teachers. And 38 percent warned others to be prepared for the time spent meeting with doctors and other specialists.
Parents should also be prepared for the social consequences of the condition. Thirty-two percent noted that the attention that children with ADHD require can have a negative impact on other family relationships, and 29 percent said they had disagreements with spouses over diagnosis and treatment. Parents also said they often had to explain their child's behavior to other parents (26 percent), and that it was difficult for children with ADHD to maintain friendships. Only 8 percent of the parents reported no added difficulties in having a child with ADHD. There's a clear need for having reliable, informed professionals involved in your child's treatment to help design a plan of action for school and home.
| What would you tell a parent? | |
|---|---|
| Be prepared for the time it will take to discuss your child's schoolwork and behavior at school with teachers | 53% |
| Be prepared for the time you will take meeting with doctors and specialists | 38 |
| The attention ADHD children require can negatively affect relationships within your household (problems with siblings or parents) | 32 |
| It's difficult to manage your ADHD child if you spouse does not agree with the diagnosis or treatment | 29 |
| It's difficult for ADHD children to maintain friendships | 27 |
| You often have to explain your child's behavior to other parents | 26 |
| It's important to take advantage of support groups or other ADHD resources (e.g., Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (CHADD)) | 23 |
| It's a problem when a child has been tagged as having ADHD at school | 22 |
| You're constantly worried that your ADHD child will hurt himself or herself by accident | 13 |
| There are no added difficulties of having a child with ADHD | 8 |
| It's difficult to find someone who is willing to babysit a child with ADHD | 6 |
Costs of testing
