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