October is Attention Deficit (ADD) and Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Awareness month. The theme of the month is “Moving Forward with ADHD.” At the end of this blog, we share several ADD/ADHD resources that we think are particularly helpful to parents.
Among the parents and caregivers who call Families as Allies, ADHD is the most common diagnosis of their children. Sometimes, families ask us if ADHD is a real mental health challenge in the same way depression or bipolar disorder are. Families can feel like their children just aren’t trying or would be able to focus if they just put their minds to it. We understand because many of us have felt the same way. We encourage you to read through our shared resources, especially the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) ADHD Resource Center if you have these questions.
Children with ADHD often have struggles at school. That is almost always why families of children with ADHD call us. Remember that if your child’s school district suspects that your child has a disability that adversely affects their learning at school, the district is legally obligated to initiate the evaluation process.
If your child does not have a Section 504 Plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the school is suspending your child, asking you to come pick them up and/or telling you that you need to get your child evaluated due to their behavior, the school is letting you know that they have reason to suspect that your child has a disability that affects their learning. We encourage you to document all these events and consider using them as supporting documentation to request an evaluation or file a formal state complaint.
You can learn more about your ADHD and education rights in the United States Department of Education’s Dear Colleague Letter and Resource Guide on Students with ADHD. We are also happy to support you in understanding your options. You can contact us at 601-355-0915 or info@faams.org.
These are the ADHD resources we gathered that are from vetted sources and we think have helpful and practical ADHD information for families:
Understood.Org: Support Starts with Awareness
ADHD Awareness Month
Myths and Facts About ADHD
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) ADHD Resource Center
AACAP and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Parents’ Medication Guide
AACAP’s Facts for Families:
- ADHD & the Brain
- College Students with ADHD
- Children Who Can’t Pay Attention/Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
Mental Health America: ADHD and ADD
Mental Health America: ADHD Screening Test
National Institutes of Mental Health: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Teens: What You Need to Know
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: ADHD and School: A Helpful Toolkit for Parents
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Is It ADHD or Child Traumatic Stress?
Child Mind Institute: Is It ADHD or Trauma?
United States Department of Education: Dear Colleague Letter and Resource Guide on Students with ADHD
