ADHD: What now?

Affected children and their parents often have a long painful way behind them before they get the ADHD diagnosis. After having recovered from their initial shock, many of them will also see the good side: Finally, there is an explanation for the children's conspicuous behaviour which is often a crucial test in everyday school and family life. Moreover, there are also starting points to improve life together as a family and also enable an age-appropriate development for the child. Yet, parents are confronted with many questions: How to proceed now in concrete terms after the ADHD diagnosis? What does ADHD mean for my child and for our family? Does my child need to take medication now? And how do we handle ADHD towards the outside?

Facts are: Children and adolescents with ADHD have valuable strengths and talents. They can also successfully make their way – with proper support from family, school and job training.

What is ADHD?

  • ADHD stands for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
  • It is a neurobiological disorder which is attributable to an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain
  • As a result, there are changes in the transmission of information among neuronal cells in the brain

ADHD diagnosis: That's what happens now

The ADHD diagnosis can also be something good. Because now your child's disorder has a name, and you can be sure that hyperactivity and the like had not been imagined and also that you were not "at fault". You should now discuss with your physician how to proceed further. Include your child in any considerations. Take care, however, to explain the situation lovingly and appropriate for the age of your child; make sure to impart a positive feeling in the child.

It is true that there is no cure for ADHD. But symptoms often diminish over life, and those affected can learn to handle them. Especially for children, it is important to learn how they can live and learn better with ADHD and the associated special aspects. Because that's the only way of developing their personality, using their strengths and talents and enjoying pleasant interactions with other people. There are many possibilities for you to support your child on its way.

More about the ADHD therapy

ADHD: What will become of my child?

In this situation, it is understandable that parents also rack their brain about their child's future. But even if the child has dyslexia or dyscalculia and the child still has difficulties in school: An individually adapted therapy is able to master or control many impairments. What is more, ADHD children frequently have quite different strengths – thus, they are often very creative, for example, and have a vivid imagination. Parents should accordingly take a close look and specifically foster and promote their child's talents; that's how it will also develop its healthy self-confidence.

ADHD? Don't panic!

  • With proper support, children with ADHD are able to develop just like their peers
  • The disorder can be treated well
  • ADHD children often show above-average creativity
  • Later, they are frequently able to lead an entirely normal adult life

ADHD therapy: Why it is so important

The treatment of ADHD is aimed at the reduction of the core symptoms and an age-appropriate development and integration of the child. Suitable therapy measures also are to improve the parent/child relationship and achieve stable self-esteem. Last but not least, it is important that affected children are able to complete schooling and vocational training according to their gifts and talents. It is also necessary, in this respect, to treat any possible secondary symptoms, such as aggressivity, speech impairment or learning disorders.

ADHD therapy is composed of different therapy modules. Within the scope of an individual treatment concept, medication and behavioural therapy measures may be used, as well as parent and teacher training.

Good to know: Whether medication treatment is suitable will essentially depend on the extent to which the ADHD symptoms impair not only coping with everyday life but also the child's psychosocial development. It often lays the foundation for other therapy measures being able to take effect.