| Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) | | | | it! Many children with ADHD also do better in small |
| can affect a child in many different ways. Most | | | | groups of people rather than large groups. |
| people know that ADHD can cause children to | | | | For example, an art class of 8 students that |
| struggle with things like sitting still, being quiet, | | | | meets every Wednesday at 3 p.m. may suit a |
| paying attention, and staying organized. But ADHD | | | | child with ADHD better than a soccer team of 20 |
| also can make it hard for children to make friends. | | | | people that practices on both Tuesday at 6 p.m. |
| In a classroom of 30 children, it is likely that at | | | | and Friday at 3 p.m. and holds games on random |
| least 2 students are affected by ADHD. Exactly | | | | weekends. Find an activity the child really likes and |
| how ADHD adds to social problems is not | | | | support her efforts. |
| understood fully, but children with ADHD often | | | | Coach your child about the social settings he |
| have trouble with simple social interactions and | | | | might face, and help him come up with ideas |
| struggle to follow social cues. Children with ADHD | | | | about what to do. For example, if he finds himself |
| are half as likely to have many good friends and | | | | sitting alone on the bus, help him practice asking, |
| are less likely to play with a group of friends, | | | | "May I sit here?" Even though it may feel |
| compared to children without ADHD. | | | | uncomfortable, roleplay these scenes so that your |
| Having good friends adds to children's happiness | | | | child starts to feel more confident in social |
| and impacts their mental health and development. | | | | settings. Also talk about how to handle positive |
| In some cases, children with peer problems may | | | | and negative outcomes. It's not easy to prepare |
| be at higher risk for anxiety, behavioral and mood | | | | your child to respond to rejection, but learning to |
| disorders, substance abuse, and delinquency as | | | | cope when things don't go his way is an important |
| teenagers. | | | | social skill. |
| Having ADHD does not mean children always | | | | Help build your child's self-esteem. It's easy for |
| have poor relationships with their peers. Parents | | | | kids with ADHD to feel like they're always in |
| and caring adults often can help children with | | | | trouble and that no one-not even Mom or |
| ADHD to make friends. Here are a few ways to | | | | Dad-likes them. Let your child know that-in |
| help: | | | | addition to loving her-you like her. That will help |
| Keep in regular contact with the adults who are | | | | her feel likeable and may make it easier to share |
| involved in the lives of children with ADHD. These | | | | her wonderful traits with others. |
| adults include teachers, school counselors, | | | | Look for a social skills group geared toward |
| after-school activity leaders, health care providers, | | | | children with ADHD. These classes are being |
| and faith leaders. Keep them informed about your | | | | offered in more and more communities, and they |
| child's treatments and, when possible, ask them to | | | | can help your child learn how to act in social |
| help your child improve his peer relationships. | | | | settings. |
| For example, ask the adult leaders to make sure | | | | Regular, everyday activities can be challenging for |
| that they avoid belittling him in front of his peers. | | | | children with ADHD-and this includes making |
| If the adult in charge belittles the child, other | | | | friends. Parents often want children with ADHD to |
| children may think it's okay for them to belittle | | | | direct their energy toward getting good grades |
| the child as well. | | | | and staying out of trouble, but helping kids with |
| Involve your child in activities with her peers. | | | | ADHD make friends is important, too. With help |
| Many children with ADHD do well with structure in | | | | from their parents and other caring adults, children |
| their daily routines, so look for a class or program | | | | with ADHD can build lasting friendships, and in |
| that interests your child and that meets | | | | doing so, they will build their own health and |
| consistently. Find your child's interest and build on | | | | happiness. |