My Child has been diagnosed with ADHD, Now What?
Once your child has been diagnosed with ADHD you are given a ton of information about what you should do but often you are told to do so much that it can be easy to forget the steps you can take, many of which are optional or customizable to your family’s needs.
1.Talk to your child about what this means for them and the family.
This conversation should be simple and you should answer as many questions as you can. It is okay to tell your child that you don’t have the answer to a question and reassure them that you will figure it out together.
2.Identify the challenging areas for your child and the family.
Knowing where you need the most support is a great place to start. Whether this is organizing the house in a way that makes sense for your family or support at school. Knowing what causes the most stress allows you to prioritize tasks and get the most important supports in place first.
3.Talk to your child’s school and their teachers.
Most schools will offer 504 plans for children diagnosed with ADHD. These plans are designed to require appropriate supports within the school setting. These supports can look like extra time on tests, adjusted assignments, preferential seating, access to fidget toys, passes to the guidance office, and more.
4.Discuss medication management.
Some people choose to go this route; have a conversation with your child to see if this is the path for you. Before starting medication I warn my families that this takes time, patience, and a lot of communication with your prescriber to find what is going to work for your child. Expect challenges as you navigate this and ensure you are getting extra supports to allow yourself to show up fully for your child.
5.Explore individual and family therapy.
Many people who have been diagnosed with ADHD benefit from individual and family therapy. Therapy provides a space to discuss the challenges and learn new patterns of interacting with each other that may be more productive. Another potential option under this umbrella would be group therapy. Group can provide a space for child to develop their social skills which is sometimes an area of challenge for children diagnosed with ADHD.
6.Create system within your home.
Once you’ve identified the barriers your family faces you can begin to find solutions that work for your family. These sometimes look like creating a drop spot for daily items at the front door or a family calendar that keeps everyone informed. Whatever it is for your family, talk about what would make the challenges a little easier.
7.Take a look at your parenting style.
One of the hardest things for parents to hear is that they may be impacting their child in unintended ways. It is important to look at the expectations and barriers that you are creating and see if there is a better way to go about these to ensure the whole family is functioning well.
There are so many more things you can do to support your child and family and this is by no means an exhaustive list. This is meant to provide you with a place to start as you begin your journey with ADHD. At Through the Woods Mental Health Services we enjoy supporting families through this transition. Reach out for more information about how we can support you!
