| ADHD testing and accommodations go hand in hand. It | | | | strengthen weaknesses. All of this comes after ADHD |
| is a disorder that affects about 5% of all children. It is | | | | testing and accommodations. |
| characterized with short attention spans, hyperactivity | | | | Your doctor will work up a treatment plan in which |
| (not for all children), irritability, and depression. You might | | | | they might order medication to help your child. Stimulant |
| suspect ADHD if these things are so severe that they | | | | drugs are most common but there are new |
| can cause many problems at home or at school. | | | | non-stimulant drugs coming out. The problem with |
| The tests that your child will be given measure your | | | | stimulants is their side effects. |
| child's intelligence; ability to complete tasks, an | | | | They can cause sleeplessness, less of an appetite, |
| assessment will be done which will measure your | | | | irritability, and depression. They are known to be super |
| child's actual performance in academic areas. | | | | addictive. They also may adversely affect your child's |
| Interviews will be done with your child and then | | | | liver. They can be very expensive as well. |
| yourself. This is to evaluate how family life is being | | | | Herbs, vitamins, and minerals are combined in special |
| impacted and your child's feelings about themselves. | | | | formulas that are known to benefit your child's ADHD |
| Once all the information is collected and the | | | | symptoms. Natural supplements do not have side |
| determination is made as to whether your child has | | | | effects and very effective. They can be less |
| ADHD decisions will be made about how to help your | | | | expensive than stimulants. |
| child work with their symptoms and specific goals for | | | | There is no substitute for a healthy life style. Your |
| your child and for the teacher. This is called an | | | | child's diet needs to be as healthy as possible. They |
| Individual Education Plan (IEP). | | | | should get plenty of exercise such as biking, hiking, or |
| Goals for your child will be something like "Jo will | | | | nature walks. This will help your child to wind down |
| complete tasks 75% of the time." Jo will be given | | | | when it comes time to go to bed. |
| extra time on projects and tasks with the goal of | | | | ADHD testing will tell you whether your child has |
| being able to meet time constraints by the end of the | | | | ADHD or not. Working with the teachers, other school |
| school year. The goals will vary as far as the time line | | | | professionals, and your doctor can only strengthen |
| and smaller goals would be more likely to be used. It | | | | your child's chances for success. |
| should capitalize on your child's strengths and | | | | |