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Home › Articles › Special Needs Kids › What's Wrong With My Child?

What's Wrong With My Child?

An Overview of Attention Deficit Disorder

By Julia Rosien

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Treatment
Studies show that untreated ADHD in childhood can lead to significant problems later in life, including substance abuse, dropping out of school and anti-social behavior, says Matlen. "They get involved in drinking and drugs at an early age as a way to self-medicate the ADHD or to handle social loneliness," she says.

After evaluation and diagnosis, parents need to make a decision about treatment, which can be as frustrating as the disorder itself. "It's not a matter of behavior management over Ritalin," Schultz says. "Home and classroom environments should be modified to provide as much structure as possible before medication is tried."

Steve Metz, father of a child with ADD in Manalapan, N.J., encourages parents to demand full testing and an Individual Education Plan for their child. "Present the school with a clear and precise diagnosis," Metz says. "Tell them what your child needs and what you expect. Learn what your child's rights are under state and federal law, and come up with a game plan to secure rights involving special education."

Parents also can try behavior modification, which attempts to alter behavior through providing positive reinforcement. "It begins by using something tangible like stickers, food or tokens given to reward desired behavior," Scultz says. "Gradually, as behavior changes, parents can offer less tangible rewards such as computer or TV time." The ultimate goal is to phase out the need for reinforcers, and have the child exhibit the behavior because he sees it as helpful or desirable, he says.

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