Do you have a child with ADHD? It may not feel this way, but you’re not alone. Approximately 11% of kids between the ages of four and 17 have been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. While 11% may sound like a small number, it breaks down to about 6.1 million children diagnosed with this mental health condition. If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, you may be thinking, “What now?” Let’s take a look at some ways you can help improve your child’s quality of life.
It’s Okay if You Have a Child with ADHD
As a parent, you want what’s best for your child. Naturally, a diagnosis of ADHD might feel like insurmountable odds have been stacked against your family. However, that’s not the case.
Remember when we said that you’re not alone? We meant it. From 2003 to 2011, cases of children with ADHD have increased by 42%. Not that you should take solace in the suffering of others, but this uptick means that the demand for more research and better treatment is also increasing.
Having ADHD isn’t the same experience for children and adolescents as it once was–or might have been for your. Advances in technology, scientific breakthroughs, and other factors have increased our knowledge on this mental health issue.
Nowadays, you no longer need to look at an ADHD diagnosis as a bleak sentence for your child. Here are some ways you can improve their day-to-day routine.
How to Help a Child with ADHD
When you were growing up, ADHD may not have been as prevalent. There are several reasons for that, including the lack of proper diagnosis and the existence of triggers. If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, there are many ways to help. Here are some tips for setting your child with ADHD up for success.
Talk to Your Child About Their Diagnosis
As a parent, it’s instinctual to protect your child at all costs. However, sheltering them from their diagnosis will only complicate your child’s life as they make friends and accelerate through school.
Be upfront with your child about ADHD. Explain what the disorder is and that many other kids have it as well. Tell your child that they’re not alone and assure the child you are working with the school to make sure they have everything they need to succeed.
Furthermore, ask about their own experiences with ADHD. Get to know when they feel most distracted. Is there a class that really bores them? Are there people who are picking on your child? Get to know how they’re coping with this diagnosis so you can properly guide them toward a healthy alternative.
Talk to a Mental Health Specialist
A recent analysis found that about 70% of children with ADHD also have another underlying mental health disorder. This alarming statistic makes a lot of sense. Imagine the uncertainty that comes with being a child. All you know is that making friends is difficult and focusing on schoolwork seems near impossible.
A child with ADHD may exhibit some of the following mental health problems:
- Learning disabilities (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia)
- Behavioral issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulty sleeping
If you notice a change in your child’s demeanor, please contact a mental health specialist. Look out for problematic actions such as lying, stealing, or disrupting class. When a child with ADHD starts to exhibit these qualities, other mental health issues may be at play.
Talk to the School
It takes a village to raise a child with ADHD. Besides being home, kids spend most of their time in school. Set your child up for academic success by being involved in their school life.
Let the school know about any diagnoses involving your child. Based on how their case of ADHD is affecting their studies, seek out options that will give them a better chance at success. Perhaps your child needs more time to take a test? Maybe they need to be dismissed early for mental health treatments? Some might need visual aids for better learning.
Whatever the case may be, don’t be afraid to speak up for your child. You need to take their best interests to heart so that the school follows suit.
Change Up Their Diet
We believe there is very little coincidence that the rise of ADHD in children coincides with the use of artificial dyes, sweeteners, and preservatives in foods. More and more studies are suggesting that these inorganic molecules are causing disruption throughout the gut-brain-axis.
Some additives in popular foods that children consume that have shown to trigger mental health issues in kids include:
Research shows that ditching these additives can do a lot to up your child’s disposition. In fact, a diet that mainly consists of whole foods can boost mental health by a whopping 35%!
Increased Risk of Injury
When a child with ADHD is battling hyperactivity, they might end up getting some bumps and scrapes along the way. Unfortunately, their inability to keep control of their movements can accelerate the chances of a fall or injury. As a parent, you should take precautions to ensure your child’s safety.
Make sure your child wears a helmet when riding a bike. Head trauma can do more than hinder a child’s performance in school. It can even result in death.
Additionally, speak to your teens with ADHD about driving. There are already many distractions on the road. It won’t take much to divert a teen’s attention. Especially one who has been diagnosed with ADHD. Make sure your teen is aware of the dangers of texting and driving and encourage always wearing a seatbelt.
Pay Attention to Their Friendships
Being a child with ADHD can be a lonely experience. A child with ADHD may perceive themselves as different than others, which may cause the child to become shyer. In some cases, they may even develop social anxiety.
Be present in your child’s social life. Ask if they have any friends they want to invite over for playtime or a sleepover. Make sure to check in on their social media to see if anyone is bullying them or vice versa. After all, a child with ADHD may become the bully themselves as a defense mechanism for their disorder.
If you suspect your child is having trouble making friends, seek out a group for kids with ADHD. That way, you can network with other mothers to see how they cope with these social issues. Plus, your child will be in the presence of others who are battling the same problems. Suddenly, your child with ADHD might not feel so alone anymore.
Try All-Natural Supplements
If a doctor prescribes medications for your child with ADHD, you should follow their orders. However, you shouldn’t rely on just these medications alone. After all, studies show that long-term use of prescription stimulants may lead to more mental health incidents, including depression and addiction.
If you want to give your loved one every opportunity to succeed, they might just need a little boost. Help them get over their struggles with all-natural supplements such as Focusene. Focusene is formulated with botanicals and organic molecules found in nature that have shown to improve cognitive function, mood, and mental performance.
One of the primary ingredients in Focusene is acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR). ALCAR is an amino acid that is easy for our bodies to absorb. That’s a good thing because ALCAR is the catalyst for the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine.
Research on acetylcholine suggests this hormone increases arousal in the brain. That way, your child will be more engaged in their studies and more focused on the tasks at hand. Furthermore, Focusene contains deanol and phenylalanine. Both of these compounds also act as precursors for this essential neurotransmitter. The addition of these two ingredients makes Focusene the ultimate study buddy for your child with ADHD.
This all-natural supplement also contains dandelion. This powerful flower root is rich in the compound, luteolin. Studies involving luteolin suggests that this organic molecule helps break down cAMP in the brain.
cAMP is literal brainpower. When your body burns it, it improves signaling and makes communication more efficient. So, by consuming Focusene, your child with ADHD is improving how their brain functions, allowing them to retain more information throughout the day.
Lastly, Focusene is enriched with Ayurvedic botanicals that has shown promise in boosting overall brain function. For instance, it contains brahmi. This Indian root has shown to improve memory recall and cognitive function in nine out of 17 test subjects. In addition, Focusene also has red ginseng and Ginkgo biloba. These botanicals have been long-heralded for improving attention and memory. Therefore, they are a welcomed addition to supplements for children with ADHD like Focusene.
Your Child Has ADHD. Now What?
We sure hit you with a lot of information. However, these resources weren’t always available. Instead of being overwhelmed, be thankful. We are all in this together.
Don’t look at your child’s diagnosis as a handicap. Look at it as a way to build character. Your child is destined to rise above the odds and have a great life. They just need a little bit of help from those around them. Be sure to talk to your child and their physician. Keep an eye on their school and social life, and be ready to intervene when necessary.
Also, look out for the well-being of your child with ADHD. These special children are more prone to injury. Keep an eye out for any bumps and scrapes and talk to them about road safety.
Lastly, take a vested interest in their nutrition. Cut out some of the preservative-rich and fatty foods. Opt instead for whole foods. Also, be sure to supplement their routine with the proper medications and all-natural supplements like Focusene. If you help set your child with ADHD up for success, there is no doubt they will knock it out of the park!
Do you have a child with ADHD? How did you explain the diagnosis to them? Share your journey and help others in the comments below!
