Is your child hyperactive?

What can the parents do?
The most important point to stress is that full-blown ADHD is a neurological problem and not the fault of the parents. Children with this syndrome can be impossible to manage both at school and home, and parents often feel this reflects badly on them.

As we've seen, it can be hard to diagnose ADHD. Children suffering from an unhappy home or school life can express many of the same symptoms. If you are worried about your child, it is worth taking an honest look at your home environment and talking to your child's teachers (if he or she is school-age) to see if your child is reacting to social factors. If you think this is the case then you should still seek help. Your family doctor is a good place to start, as she or he will be able to recommend counselling help for your child or whole family, if necessary.

If your child is consistently exhibiting one or more of these symptoms you should take them to see your GP. Even if they don't have ADHD there may be other physiological disorders which could explain their behaviour - epilepsy, partial hearing or autism are examples of conditions which could result in similar symptoms to ADHD.

Your GP will usually refer your child to a specialist if it looks probable that he or she does have an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. A child psychiatrist can then make a proper assessment and provide treatment based on the diagnosis. Sufferers can be hugely helped by medication and therapy.

The medication will likely be one of two drugs, methylphenidate (Ritalin) or dextroamphetamine. Both are extremely effective in treating this disorder and will help your child control his or her behaviour. As with all medication, if your child is prescribed Ritalin, remember to store it well out of children's reach.

Behavioural therapy can also be very helpful. The method should be practical - giving children strategies for managing their impulses and learning socially appropriate behaviour. The specialist will also give parents advice on how to manage their child and may offer to advise teachers as well.

For more information and help on this condition, contact:

ADD Information Services (ADDISS) (Registered Charity 1070827):
The ADDISS Resource Centre, 10 Station Road,
London NW7 2JU.
Telephone 020 8906 9068; fax 020 8959 0727.
Website: www.addiss.co.uk