Zach Neville was 4 years old when doctors diagnosed him with ADHD.
“They were really the classic symptoms if you go on the internet and you look at what the diagnostic criteria are, the impulsivity, the hyperactive, the inattentiveness, they were social skills issues going on, there was a lot of acting out, not being about to sit still during circle time, very basic preschool activities,” says Zach’s mother, Jeanne Neville.

Jeanne, Zach’s mom, says initially she felt overwhelmed and confused on how to best take care of her son. Their family first started with an intensive behavior management plan, but, as Zach entered school he needed medication and additional therapy.

Parents who have children, especially teens, with ADHD can help them better manage the condition with the aid of an ADHD Report Card. It helps them get more involved and have a better relationship with their children.

Zach Neville was 4 years old when doctors diagnosed him with ADHD. His mother Jeanne says initially she felt overwhelmed and confused on how to best take care of her son. Their family first started with an intensive behavior management plan, but, as Zach entered school he needed medication and additional therapy.

“What parents tell us is that after they know their child has ADHD it takes them five years to get up to speed, learning all the little things they have to do, how to talk to their teachers, or to support the child, how to work with the doctor,” says Dr. Peter Jensen, Director of the Center for the Advancement of Children’s Mental Health at Columbia University, New York.

Today, Zach is 14 years old…he’s not only assimilating into adolescence, but, both he and his family are learning the challenges of being a teen with ADHD.

Dr. Jensen devised a tool to teach parents of children with ADHD how to get involved with their children to better manage the condition. It’s called the “Get Smart About ADHD Report Card”… divided into five areas, each comes with a check list of steps parents can take towards becoming their teen’s mentor, friend and advocate through the sometimes difficult journey of living with ADHD.

“One is how to get along with your teen and help your teen and have a good relationship around the ADHD issues. Secondly, is helping how parents work with the teen with peer relationships and friendships, the third is helping the kid and their relationship with school and the school work,” says Dr. Jensen. Helping your teen manage his medicine and encouraging him to foster a solid relationship with his physician are also key components of the report card initiative.

“It is important when the kids come to this age that they move to the driver’s seat. If the parent is saying take your medicine, it doesn’t work very well, because the kid needs to be more and more in charge of their own life and body and behavior,” says Dr. Jensen.

Creating a daily routine with designated times for homework, bedtime and leisure activities are also crucial. Jeanne says the report card has not only helped Zach better manage his ADHD, but it has organized their entire family unit.

Dr. Jensen also encourages parents to schedule weekly family meetings to discuss new rules, coordinate schedules, celebrate accomplishments, and make weekly chore assignments. He also recommends monthly meetings with teachers to get input on their teen’s classroom behavior and academic progress. Working with teachers to make rules and consequences consistent with those at home and keeping them informed of important changes in your teen’s treatment is important.

For more information about the Get Smart Report Card, visit www.focusonadhd.com.

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