Doctor Gives Advice to Parents of Children with ADHD (NAPSA)—For the nearly three million school-age children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), going to school each day can be very difficult. Children with ADHD generally have difficulty coping with a traditional classroom setting—typically, they may be excessively restless, inat- tentive, easily distracted, impulsive and may even require special class- room accommodations. To help parents prepare their children with ADHD to adapt more At-home preparation can help children with ADHD succeed in school. Donna Palumbo, Ph.D., a nation- your doctor about new once-daily director of the Strong Neurology ADHD Clinic at the University of Rochester Medical Center offers the following advice: e Partner with your child’s teacher(s). Try to arrange a meet- sules, 20 mg (CII). Unlike some older treatments, a single daily easily to the formal classroom environment and perform their best, ally renowned expert on ADHD and disruptive and embarrassing, ask medications for ADHD such as Metadate CD (methylphenidate HCl, USP) Extended-Release Cap- dose of Metadate CD, taken in the morning, controls ADHD symptoms during the school day. ing with the teacher early in the school year to explain your child’s strengths, difficulties, what motivates your child and what methods e Arrange for preferential seating away from distractions, such as school year regarding your child’s progress. good time management and organizational skills and adhere to routines. Make rules and consequences consistent. Reward non-hyperac- worked best in the past. Make an effort to communicate frequently with teachers throughout the e Advocate for your child’s needs. If you choose, you can develop an Individual Education Plan, a standardized form that specifies special services and/or accommodations that teachers will provide for your child. The plan may include simplified instructions, frequent breaks, tailored homework assignments and untimed testing. If your child is on ADHD med- ication, notify his or her teacher. Teachers should understand the actions, benefits and side effects of your child’s ADHD medication. In addition, teachers should also be informed as to what dosing regimen the child is on andif the dos- ing has been or will be adjusted. To eliminate the need for your child to leave class for a midday medication dose, which may be in the front row, and next to positive peer models. At home, help your child build tive behavior with praise, and frequently tell your child that you love and support him or her. Metadate CD should not be used in children under six years of age. Metadate CD Capsules are contraindicated in patients with marked anxiety, tension, and/or agitation; in patients with glau- coma, tics or Tourette’s Syndrome; with or within 14 days of using MAOinhibitors. Use caution in patients with a history of psychosis; drug or alcohol dependence; seizures; hypertension or cardiovascular disease. In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions were headache, abdominal pain, decreased appetite and insomnia. For more about ADHD, call 1-866-ADHD INFO. Metadate CD Capsules are a registered trademark of Celltech Pharma, Ltd.
