American Academy of Pediatrics - ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Based on the latest research and recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, this essential handbook answers common questions parents have about attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including

How is ADHD defined today?

How can I tell if my childs problems are due to ADHD and not some other problem?

What is the best way to work with my childs teacher?

What types of medications are used to treat ADHD?

What steps can I take to help my parenting be as successful as possible?

Should I involve my child in the treatment plan?

Are there classroom structures and school policies that will best support my child?

How can I help my teenager manage social and emotional pressures?

Can I trust the information available on the Internet?

...and much more, to help improve the quality of life for your child and your family.

Common Conditions

ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Allergies and Asthma: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Waking Up Dry: A Guide to Help Children Overcome Bedwetting

Developmental, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Information

CyberSafe: Protecting and Empowering Kids in the Digital World of Texting, Gaming, and Social Media

Mental Health, Naturally: The Family Guide to Holistic Care for a Healthy Mind and Body

The Wonder Years: Helping Your Baby and Young Child Successfully Negotiate the Major Developmental Milestones

Immunization Information

Immunizations & Infectious Diseases: An Informed Parents Guide

Newborns, Infants, and Toddlers

Baby & Child Health: The Essential Guide From Birth to 11 Years

Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5

Guide to Toilet Training

Heading Home With Your Newborn: From Birth to Reality

Mommy Calls: Dr. Tanya Answers Parents Top 101 Questions About Babies and Toddlers

New Mothers Guide to Breastfeeding

Newborn Intensive Care: What Every Parent Needs to Know

Raising Twins: From Pregnancy to Preschool Your Babys First Year

Nutrition and Fitness

Food Fights: Winning the Nutritional Challenges of Parenthood Armed With Insight, Humor, and a Bottle of Ketchup

A Parents Guide to Childhood Obesity: A Road Map to Health

Sports Success Rx! Your Childs Prescription for the Best Experience

School-aged Children and Adolescents

Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings

Caring for Your School-Age Child: Ages 5 to 12

Caring for Your Teenager

Less Stress, More Success: A New Approach to Guiding Your Teen Through College Admissions and Beyond

For more information, please visit the official AAP Web site for parents, www.HealthyChildren.org/bookstore.
*This book is also available in Spanish.

American Academy of Pediatrics Department of Marketing and Publications Staff

Director, Department of Marketing and Publications

Maureen DeRosa, MPA

Director, Division of Product Developmen

Mark Grimes

Manager, Consumer Publishing

Carolyn Kolbaba

Manager, Product Development

Eileen Glasstetter, MS

Coordinator, Product Development

Holly Kaminski

Editorial Assistant, Product Development

Carrie Peters

Director, Division of Publishing and Production Services

Sandi King, MS

Manager, Editorial Services

Kate Larson

Print Production Specialist

Shannan Martin

Manager, Art Direction and Production

Linda Diamond

Director, Division of Marketing and Sales

Kevin Tuley

Manager, Consumer Product Marketing

Kathleen Juhl, MBA

Published by the American Academy of Pediatrics
141 Northwest Point Blvd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1019
847/434-4000
Fax: 847/434-8000
www.aap.org

Cover design by Daniel Rembert
Book design by Linda Diamond
Illustrations by Anthony Alex LeTourneau

Second Edition2011
First Edition 2000 as ADHD: A Complete and Authoritative Guide

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010943007
ISBN: 978-1-58110-451-6

The recommendations in this publication do not indicate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as a standard of medical care. Variations, taking into account individual circumstances, may be appropriate. Products are mentioned for informational purposes only. Inclusion in this publication does not imply endorsement by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The American Academy of Pediatrics is not responsible for the content of the resources mentioned in this publication. Web site addresses are as current as possible, but may change at any time. Every effort is made to keep ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know consistent with the most recent advice and information available from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Copyright 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior permission from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America.

Text for copyright 2011 American Academy of Pediatrics, CHADD, and PACER.

Dedication selection copyright 1974, renewed 2002 Evil Eye Music, LLC. Reprinted with permission from the Estate of Shel Silverstein and HarperCollins Childrens Books.

Excerpt on page .

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Editor in Chief

Michael I. Reiff, MD, FAAP

Associate Professor of Pediatrics
and Family Medicine

Director, Autism Spectrum and
Neurodevelopmental Disorders Clinic

Director, Minnesota LEND Program

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

American Academy of Pediatrics
Board of Directors Reviewer

Michael V. Severson, MD, FAAP

Reviewers and Contributors

Clinical Practice Guideline Subcommittee on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Members

Mark L. Wolraich, MD, FAAP, Chairperson
(Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics)

Lawrence W. Brown, MD, FAAP
(Neurology)

Marian F. Earls, MD, FAAP
(General Pediatrics, QuIIN)

James M. Perrin, MD, FAAP
(General Pediatrics, Children With Disabilities)

Bruce P. Meyer, MD, FAAP
(General Pediatrics)

Michael I. Reiff, MD, FAAP
(Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics)

Esther Janowsky, MD, PhD
(Epidemiology, Internal Medicine)

Martin T. Stein, MD, FAAP
(Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics)

Susanna N. Visser, MS
(Epidemiology)

Liaisons/Consultants

Ronald T. Brown, PhD, ABPP
(American Psychological Association)

George J. DuPaul, PhD
(National Association of School Psychologists)

Heidi M. Feldman, MD, PhD, FAAP
(Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics)

Theodore G. Ganiats, MD
(American Academy of Family Physicians)

Beth A. Kaplanek, RN, BSN
(Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

Karen L. Pierce, MD
(American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)

Medical Writer