Our Child’s ADHD Diagnosis Is a Kind of Gift

My daughter’s ADHD diagnosis is the best thing to happen to our family in a long time.
Let me explain that – I’m not thrilled that my child has a disorder that makes life more difficult for her.

But I am relieved that we now have an answer to the struggles we had been facing. I am happy that we have the resources to help her learn how to best manage her symptoms.

That is why I view her diagnosis as a kind of gift.

ADHD has a variety of symptoms in children. It’s more than hyperactivity. It’s impulse control, social cues, sensory processing, memory challenges, emotional regulation and more.

I wanted to share some of the resources I found that might help other parents.

“Learning to Plan and Be Organized: Executive Function Skills for Kids With AD/HD” – This book is written for the child, not the parent, which makes it a valuable tool in giving children a role in their behavior plan. The book is written for an audience of ages 8-12
and includes fun illustrations, fill-in charts and “brain break” word games every few chapters.

“ADDitude Magazine” – This publication has a wealth of information for children and adults with ADHD. The website, www.additudemag.com, has articles on nutrition, technology, medication reviews, behavior management plans and more.

Support Groups – Whether online or in-person, Lexington has support groups for parents of children with ADHD. A quick Facebook search will find local groups for caregivers of children with ADHD.

Your Child’s School – The school counselor should be able to walk you through creating a 504 Plan to make accommodations for your child in the classroom.

Whatever avenue you choose to manage your child’s diagnosis, support is vital, and there is a community of parents and professionals ready to help.