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