Category: General Navigating the Life Stages of ADHD: Key Concerns in Diagnosing and Treating Children


(Part 1 of a Three-Part Series on Managing ADHD Across the Lifespan)

Children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) face more challenges — understanding spoken language, reading and writing fluently, and interpreting non-verbal cues in social settings — at an earlier age than their peers. Many children with ADHD find it hard to focus, pay attention, and interact with peers in school and extracurricular settings. All of this adds up.

What’s more, ADHD in children often comes with comorbidities and learning disabilities that may affect behaviors and academics in early elementary school. As demands increase in late elementary and middle school, impairments in executive functioning make writing reports or working on group projects more difficult for youth with ADHD.

Children with ADHD also often struggle to manage impulsivity and their emotions, making it harder to maintain friendships. At the same time, comorbid oppositional defiant disorder may damage a child’s relationship with their parents.

Parents should make sure that their child is evaluated by a clinician who is experienced in diagnosing and treating not only ADHD but also comorbid conditions like learning disabilities and anxiety. Recognizing and managing “challenges” early will help children with ADHD successfully start their academic careers — with or without ADHD medication. Enabling a child with ADHD to feel smart and engage in healthy peer relationships will lead to a successful school and social life, and encourage a smoother transition to high school.

In this webinar, you will learn:

  • Strategies for diagnosing and working with children with ADHD
  • How to identify and manage common challenges
  • How to treat children with ADHD medications, including appropriate initiation and titration of stimulants and non-stimulants
  • The importance of early treatment and management of comorbid conditions to ensure the successful initiation of school and management of independent learning

Webinar replays include:

  • Slides accompanying the webinar
  • Related resources from ADDitude
  • Free newsletter updates about ADHD
  • An opportunity to receive a certificate of attendance

Navigating the Life Stages of ADHD: Key Concerns in Diagnosing and Treating Children

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