Is It ADHD? Resources for Parents
Is it ADHD?
Are you wondering if your child might have ADHD and not sure where to turn for answers? You’re not alone. Many parents notice signs of ADHD in children but feel overwhelmed about what to do next.
Your child’s pediatrician or a licensed mental health professional is a great place to start when seeking an ADHD evaluation or treatment recommendations. But sometimes, you might want to find information or strategies right away—before you can get in for an appointment.
The internet and social media can be useful for learning about ADHD in kids, but they can also be full of misinformation. Research suggests that about 50% of ADHD-related content on social media is inaccurate! So how can you find trustworthy, expert-backed resources? Here are some of my top recommendations for parents and caregivers.
Books for Adults/Caregivers
Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents by Russell Barkley
Driven to Distraction (Revised): Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder by Edward Hallowell and John Ratey
ADHD is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD by Kim Holderness and Penn Charles Holderness
Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary "Executive Skills" Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare
Books for Kids and Teens
My Whirling, Twirling Motor by Merriam Sarcia Saunders
My Wandering Dreaming Mind by Merriam Sarcia Saunders
Thriving with ADHD: Workbook for Teens by Allison Tyler
Websites
Attention Deficit Disorder Association (www.add.org)
Children and Adults with ADD (http://www.chadd.org)
Additude; Strategies and Support for ADHD & LD (http://www.additudemag.com/)
Podcasts
Attention talk radio
ADHD Experts podcast (from Additude magazine)
Next Steps
I hope these resources can help you better understand ADHD symptoms, how ADHD affects children, and strategies for managing challenges at home and school.
If you’re still wondering whether your child needs a formal ADHD evaluation or if therapy could help, I invite you to reach out. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation at (216) 245-242. I’d be happy to hear about your child’s needs—and if I’m not the right fit, I’m glad to help connect you with someone who is.
Want to learn more about ADHD testing and treatment?
Click here for detailed information about ADHD evaluations and therapy services, or check out my blog post about the ADHD evaluation process.