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At Angel Kids Pediatrics, our staff provides personalized care for all your child’s needs — from sick visits and well-child exams to other concerns, including behavioral health challenges like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
With 10 offices located throughout Jacksonville, Amelia Island, and Saint Johns, Florida, along with our telehealth option, getting support for your child’s ADHD is easy and convenient.
October may be ADHD Awareness Month, but children with the condition (and their caregivers) know it can be challenging throughout the year. The good news is there are steps families can take to encourage success — and help children with ADHD thrive as they grow and develop.
About childhood ADHD
About 6.5 million children in the United States live with ADHD and its impact on everything from their school performance and social interactions to their behavior at home. Symptoms typically include a lack of focus, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior, with specific subtypes potentially experiencing a subset of each of these characteristics.
More boys than girls are diagnosed with ADHD, though it’s theorized to be because girls are more likely to be inattentive and not obviously disruptive, so their condition is missed. Adult ADHD affects about an equal number of men and women.
Living with ADHD: Tips to help your child thrive
Behavioral strategies can help children — and their caregivers and families — manage their condition more effectively. We may advise you to:
1. Create routines
Whether it’s doing chores or trying to get out of the house in the morning, use a checklist to help your child remember each step of the process needed to reach completion. Try having them fill out a daily planner to track school assignments.
Keep a schedule with consistent times to wake up, play, do homework, and go to bed. If your child takes medication, be sure they take it at the same time every day, too.
2. Get organized
Have specific locations for everyday items like backpacks, shoes, and toys. This will reduce time spent searching for things and help prevent frustration.
3. Consider communication methods
Give your child short commands and simple steps when asking them to complete a task. Make sure you have their attention with eye contact or touch.
Don’t forget to offer praise; kids with ADHD tend to get more criticism than their peers, so it can help to offset it with positive reinforcement for good behavior.
4. Encourage social skills
Plan playdates for younger children and sign older kids up for one or more activities to encourage making friends and developing social skills.
5. Practice healthy habits
Ensure three well-balanced meals a day along with necessary snacks and sufficient hydration. Daily exercise or playing outside can also help children use up some of their excess energy and manage their symptoms better.
Your partner in ADHD management
If ADHD or another behavioral issue is affecting your child’s daily life at home or at school, we can help make a diagnosis and determine next steps. Schedule an appointment at your nearest Angel Kids Pediatrics office in Jacksonville, Amelia Island, or Saint Johns, Florida, today.