Explaining to your child they have ADHD

[Gelz68]

Any ideas on how to explain to your child (ours is 7 years old) that they have ADHD in a way they can understand and feel comfortable about it?

[Gelz68]

Thanks! That was great. He will love it.

[Pennywink]

We also initially used the race car analog at @ age 6. Our son was really into Lightning McQueen, so that made it easier. We mostly talked just about symptoms & helping them. Only more recently (now he’s almost 8) have started using the term ADHD. He’s heard it at school with other kids, so it clicked with him.

[Gelz68]

Thank you!

[RCJH8610]

I was honest with my 8 year old daughter and explained to her exactly what ADHD is and how it effects people. She was comfortable about it more specifically because I have ADHD as well and was able to show her that I take the same medication to be able to concentrate at work.

[Cjkchamp]

My son loved trains. At occupational therapy they talked to him about the engine in his body and how it would run fast. When he would get too amped up we would talk to him about his engine and it worked pretty well.

[dubstepMaul]

When my son was 6, I bought him the book Shelley the Hyperactive Turtle. Probably really dated at this point as that was over 20 years ago. But it opened the conversation about ADHD and how his brain worked differently. He was fine with it and had a good understanding from early on.

[Gelz68 in reply to dubstepMaul]

I will look into a book too. That is a good idea. Thanks!

[Ldydy24 in reply to Gelz68]

I did the same. I bought the book on Amazon and had my son share it with his class so they would also understand why he sometimes got impulsive or had too much energy. Definitely age appropriate for 7 year olds.

[Gelz68 in reply to Ldydy24]

To share with his classmates is a great idea! Thx!

[Klmamma]

The Cory Stories is a great book too!!

[Gelz68 in reply to Klmamma]

I saw those too. Thx!

[Klmamma in reply to Gelz68]

Check out your library. There are some amazing books geared right to that I year old reading level. There is one I liked in particular, I'll see it if j can find the title. It went over everything from school to home to friendships. It explained things and also had very helpful tips and tricks.

[Gelz68 in reply to Klmamma]

Thanks! I think it is helpful for others also so that they can understand that he doesn't want to do some things that he does it is just that he cannot help it. We have an appt tomorrow to see if we can get him on some meds as was suggested by the psychologist in his eval. Here's to better days ahead

[Klmamma in reply to Gelz68]

We do not use the phrase cant help it in our house. Kids with ADHD tend to not be great with accountability of their own actions. My son will apologize for the thing he did by saying sorry sometimes I struggle with.....I'm working on it.

[Klmamma in reply to Klmamma]

CBT is also beyond helpful. My son is only 5 so we haven't gone the meds route yet.