Child ADHD won the Liebster Award!!

I don't know if I mentioned, but back in June I received a post from one of my followers, Dr. Momsie. She had given Child ADHD Info her Liebster Blog Award and it was a great honor! She also included a link to the page where she wrote a little about the 5 blogs she gave the award to. She had actually looked into me pretty well and here is what she had to say about me and Child ADHD Info:

"Next awesome blog, Child ADHD Info- Raising a Child with ADHD. As a psychologist, I can't resist sharing this blog. The author, Stacy, is a mother of a child with ADHD and has worked in psychology, and she has definitely done her research. If you have a child with ADHD or are concerned your child might have ADHD, you've got to check out this blog!"

This review was a very proud moment for Child ADHD and myself, especially coming from a psychologist!! So, I wanted to take this time to again thank Dr. Momsie for this wonderful review and award! Feel free to check out her wonderful blog here.

Do You Want to Share Your Story?

We would like anyone who would like to share their story of their child with ADHD to submit their story. It can be about how you became concerned about your child having ADHD, how your child was diagnosed and the process you went through or are going through, the struggles you go through, school, what works for you, success, concerns etc. 

Child ADHD Info my feature it either here on the site or in our weekly newsletter. It is nice to share your story and to hear others and just to know "Hey I;m not the only one"! 

If you are interested in sharing your experience/story you can email it directly to childadhdinfo@gmail.com. You can send your story along with where you would like it to be featured (here or in the newsletter) and you can a picture of your child or family too if you want. Please do not leave your story in a comment post.

I was so excited to be expanding our reach to help as many parents with ADHD children with our newsletter and thought of this and just loved the idea so I hope you all do too and we get some good submissions and results!! 

I look forward to hearing from you!!

~Stacy~

Child ADHD Info's 1st Newsletter is Out!!

Good morning to all my readers!! I am so excited to announce that Child ADHD Info has just put out our first newsletter! You can view it by clicking here. This may not seem like a big deal, but, it really is for me. This is a great new things I can offer parents. I decided to create a newsletter for parents that can't always read my blog posts and keep up with the articles. 

Child ADHD's newsletter will have articles, stories, facts, tips and hints for the week that are all about ADHD and child ADHD. However, this first newsletter was smaller and more of an introductory to the weekly newsletter. The articles will be shorter and may link to an article on the blog. 

I am so glad that we have reached enough readers and fans to help to be able to have finally been able to offer this new tool and updates for parents! Like I said I am so excited!! 

If you did not subscribe for Child ADHD's newsletter, you will not receive one and will have to view it at the link. To subscribe simply enter your email and name on the right of this page and you will start receiving our newsletter weekly with everyone else, or you can go to the newsletters link and click the subscribe button at the top of the page and enter your information. I look forward to adding you to the Newsletter list!! :) 

Check out the Child ADHD Newsletter and subscribe now! And as always feel free to give us your feedback, you can even comment on the newsletter!

 *Child ADHD Info will be the only one with access to your information upon submission of your subscription. We respect your privacy and will not give out ANY of your information including but not limited to name and email.

Structure and Consistency is Key for ADHD

Children with ADHD are forgetful, disorganized and impulsive. They don't think before they act and lose things often. It can be so stressful and overwhelming to raise a child with ADHD and it's even more frustrating to be the person living with ADHD and trying to manage and cope with it. So, how can we as parents help make this easier? Consistency and structure are a big key in managing ADHD for both children and adults.

Consistency is having a routine and sticking to it daily. This goes with so many things in you and your child's life and even ties into the structure part of this post. Getting your child used to a routine and set times will help to keep him/her from losing and forgetting things as often. Make charts and/or checklists for your morning and bedtime routines, like the ones on this article to help your child remember what they need to do at these certain times.

ADHD in Infants-Toddlers

In reference to the book I am currently reading, Raising boys with ADHD and WebMD I am writing this article. 

It is important for parents to learn the general development of infants and toddlers, or any age. It's important for parents to educate themselves on what to expect at the different age levels, especially if your child is very energetic. 

There are characteristics that have been shown to be common in children as early as infancy in children who are later diagnosed with ADHD. Knowing these characteristics can be helpful in determining if your child may have ADHD and can even help you know to talk to a doctor and treat your child's ADHD.

Focus Pocus

Source: 24a32c8kjdvl5gndrdrhe4xgxr.hop.clickbank.net via Child on Pinterest

Is ADHD a Gift?

Often in ADHD conversations, you will hear the argument or discussion of whether ADHD is a gift or a curse. Everyone seems to have an opinion,. I have come to the conclusion that it is both, and for it to truly be a "Gift" you need to understand ADHD more, and you need to understand your child. Generally, most parents and even children automatically consider ADHD as a curse, burden or a horrible disorder. In some ways this could be true, ADHD is most commonly mentioned that the ADHD child  is forgetful, talks a lot, won't stay still, easily distracted, can't stay focused, daydreams, acts inappropriate and impulsive and more. But, do you ever really hear the strengths that usually come with ADHD?

Children diagnosed with ADHD Study

According to a government report in 2011, 1 in 10 children are diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). This is an increase from more than tens years ago. 

Now, this doesn't necessarily mean mean that there are more ADHD children, it could mean that they are better detecting the disorder and therefore an increase in diagnoses of ADHD,
which is a good thing in my opinion.

ADD/ADHD No One Understands Video

This is a video that was made by one of my wonderful readers and mother of an ADHD child. Thank you Emily Rowan Jaybosh for letting me share this great video you made! It really gives you a heartfelt insight into ADHD children and teens, it hard for them but the things that are "different" about our ADHD children is also what makes them an amazing part of this world and an important one! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!

~S Overly

 

ADHD Brain Size

ADHD is one of the most common psychiatric conditions in children. I found studies that children and teens with ADHD have slightly smaller brains (as shown in the picture above) than others without the disorder.This shows us a lot more about ADHD children and teens other than the actual brain size though.

One study was a ten year study from 1991-2001 that was funded by and conducted at The National Institute of Mental Health.

ADHD Medications in Young Children (3-5)

Ok so I was asked about ADHD medication for a 5yr old little boy. So, I researched about it and found some notable information.

Methylphendate is the most common medication used to treat ADHD. It's use in children under 6 has not been FDA approved. Brand names for this med are Ritalin, Concerta, Methylin and Metadate. 

I found "The Preschool ADHD Treatment Study" or "PATS" which is the first large long term study done to determine the asfety and effectiveness of treat young/preschool children, ages 3-5, who have ADHD with methylphendate.

Child ADHD Info Now on Facebook

I have now created a Facebook page for Child ADHD Info! I want to reach as many parents as possible. So, please feel free to visit at www.facebook.com/childadhd and Like the page to keep up with Child ADHD Info updates and posts as well as Join this blog and Subscribe for free to my feed! Thanks to all my readers I am so happy I can help and inform you of all the Child ADHD Info I find! :)

~S Overly

ADHD in Girls vs. Boys

When thinking of ADHD people often picture an overactive disruptive little boy. Many people have asked "Do only boys get ADHD?". The answer is No, ADHD occurs in girls as much as boys. However, boys are three times more likely to be "diagnosed" with ADHD than girls because ADHD in girls may manifest in different ways. This means that girls with ADHD are vastly under diagnosed!

Raising a Child with ADHD

Raising a child with ADHD is not easy, it is a very frustrating and stressful life long journey. I know it seems like they aren't listening to you when you talk, or just don't care about their schooling. I know this because I have a 13 year old boy with this condition. The truth is though, that even though it may seem like they don't care or listen, most ADHD children DO care and WANT to listen, pay attention and do well. I know my son always says "I just want to be normal" and it breaks my heart. I always tell him he is normal, he just has to try a little harder at things. But, the reality of it is, that little things like sitting still, doing homework, remembering to bring things home and turn them in that we think are easy are an everyday struggle for our ADHD children. They honestly want to all those things, it's just a lot harder for them.

Most ADHD children are on some type of medication such as Adderall, Ritalin, or Concerta, and though these can help with the symptoms, it still can be hard for your child. Some of the most important help your child can get for his/her ADHD is non medication help from you.

Natural ADHD Medications vs Prescriptions

I have never liked Dillon being on his medications for his ADHD. I feel that he is so young to be on such an addictive medication and with so many side affects. I have found a medication called Synaptol that claimed to be an all natural medication for ADHD so I looked into it. 

As you most likely know, ADHD has become a very common problem with children everywhere. Most children who suffer from ADHD are on a medication such as Adderall, Ritalin, and Concerta (Dillon has been on Concerta)

ADHD and Emotions

Dillon, my son, seems to be very emotional at times. He will get overwhelmed really easily such as extreme frustration over homework or being really upset easily, etc. I was wondering if this was at all connected to his ADHD. I researched and found some interested information in various places. More than half ADHD people also have troubles regulating their emotions.

Discussing Treatments and Options Together

Dillon (my son) used to hate having ADHD. He felt that it made him different, he needed extra help, and it seemed like everything was harder for him. So, I decided as he was getting older I wanted to discuss his ADHD with him and his medicines to see how he felt they were working for him. I was surprised when he opened up about, he also had some really great ideas that we implemented and have been working for him.

The Three Subtypes of ADHD

Hi readers! I keep looking into ADHD and I kept seeing these different term used called "Subtypes", so of course, I just had to figure out more about them. Well I found out that as published in the DSM-I (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) by the American Psychiatric Association there are actually three subtypes of ADHD!

ADD vs ADHD

I know I always wondered what the difference is between ADD and ADHD. So, I did some research to find out and actually got some quite interesting information I would like to share with you. As you may or may not know ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder , well this (ADHD) is the official name used by the American Psychiatric Association. That means that technically there is no ADD. I was shocked! What is ADD then? Well, it is the same as ADHD but

Dill's ADHD

  When Dillon was 7 years old he started going to see a counselor. His father and I had split up about 1 1/2 years earlier and he has always been very close to mom. So, he was having problems with not wanting to got to or stay at his dad's. We took him to see a counselor and he also saw a Psychiatrist. She diagnosed Dillon with ADHD. I was worried again that maybe this was all because his dad and I had split up! But, again was told that it was usually genetic,
and his fathers nephew had it as well,
poor Dillon was so upset!