River Oak Center for Children: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

What is ADHD?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, sometimes call ADHD, is a chronic condition and
the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder among children and adolescents. It affects
between 3-5% of school-aged children in a six month period.

Children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder have difficulty controlling
their behavior in school and social settings. They also tend to be accident-prone. Although
some of these young people may not earn high grades in school, most have normal or
above-normal intelligence.

How common is Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is found in as many as one in every 20 children. Boys
are four times more likely than girls to have the disorder.

Children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder are at risk for many other
mental disorders.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a major reason that children are referred for mental
health services.

What help is available for families?

Many treatments, some with scientific basis and some without, have been recommended for
children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Traditional approaches to
treatment involve medications and/or behavior therapy.

When it comes to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, parents and other caregivers should be
careful not to jump to conclusions. A high energy level alone in a child or adolescent does not mean
that he or she has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The diagnosis depends on whether the
child or adolescent can focus well enough to complete tasks that suit his or her age and
intelligence. This ability is most likely to be noticed by a teacher. Since some children with
attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder have many different types of needs and often require special
accommodations to help them function, input from teachers should be taken seriously.

How does River Oak help children and adolescents with ADHD?

River Oak generally responds to children diagnosed with ADHD with a combination of medication
management and behavioral treatment. Medication needs are determined by a psychiatric
medication assessment with a child psychiatrist. The psychiatrist works closely with parents and
caregivers in order to best support the family and child's needs and wishes regarding medication.

Behavioral treatment of ADHD can take many forms at River Oak. Family education and skills
building with caregivers, when needed, is an integral part of treatment. Social skills training, problem
solving, and other behavioral therapy to help the child build skills and better manage his or her
symptoms and environment is also a necessary aspect of treatment. Treatment may also include
building skills within the school and working with school staff.

Important messages about children's and adolescents' mental health:

Mental health problems affect one in every five young people at any given time. "Serious
emotional disturbances" for children and adolescents refers to the above disorders when they
severely disrupt daily functioning in home, school, or community. Serious emotional
disturbances affect one in every 10 young people at any given time.

For assistance/information call:

1-800-789-2647 National Mental Health Information Center
1-800-969-6642 (press 1) Mental Health America
1-800-273-8255 24 Hour Crisis Line (Mental Health America)
1-240-403-1901 National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health
1-800-950-6264 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) www.nami.org