CHADD wasn’t helpful with resources. I am in the Silicon Valley, South Bay.

You will probably need more than one professional to help you with this, depending on the severity of your child’s problem. My daughter’s problem was quite severe, and we found that we needed both a psychologist for therapy, and a medical specialist who could prescribe meds (because most psychologists cannot). We had recommendations from other physicians, as well as from friends who had also been through it. Even the Yellow Pages may have listings that mention an expertise with ADD or ADHD. You might also check with your insurance company, or even the counselor at your child’s school. Whoever you choose, it’s important to have someone your teen feels comfortable with, and who has plenty of experience in this area. You probably already know this, but if not, or for someone else reading this, it’s important to realize just how serious this disorder can be. Lack of attention span is just one small part of it, and ADHD can have a tremendous impact on the life of your teen, and that of your entire family. I hope you find someone who can give you the help you need.

His last doctor moved away. We need to find a new one to get him back on his medicine before school starts again. We live in Grand Prairie Texas. I can’t seem to find one online, but that is why I am here. What is a good website to use to locate one?

TheWasp -

You have been given some good suggestions, but I would caution you as well.

Looking in the phone book or asking the hospital or another Dr. might not necessarily be the best way to go. Yes – you’ll find people to help you, but you might not find the best people.

ADHD is a very specialized area, and I would strongly recommend you seek out a psychiatrist or treatment professional who specializes in ADHD.

In my humble opinion (as a treatment professional), I would suggest you speak with other parents and friends who you trust to make a referral.

That is your best bet. You want to find someone who

1. Knows what they are talking about
2. Connects with you on a level that works

These 2 reasons are why a referral from a trusted friend or family member can sometimes be more reliable.

Now – if you can’t get a referral from someone like this – then of course you want to start with the phone book and make some calls (interview them).

Also, you might also try your insurance companies "resource guide" to find out who is in your area. However – this is another one of those sources where there is not necessarily quality control – it’s just a list.

Websites to consider:

http://www.addconsults.com

http://www.chadd.org

http://www.add.org

Hope this helps.

Dr. Rory Stern

http://www.thetruthbehindadhd.com/tips.html

Being a parent is the most wonderful experience in the world but at times it can prove to be the most challenging as well. No matter how much you prepare and anticipate there will be many situations that will take you by surprise.

Recognizing That You Need Help

One of the most important things is to recognize that you need help; most parents have the impressions that they are always right or that they are in control of the situation and find out the hard way that that was not the case. Most of us like to think that we do a great job at being a parent and therefore do not need parenting help. However, you don’t always need parenting help because you are not good at being a parent but also because you want to understand your child better.

Today we have many issues to address and deal with at one time, which in turn can become stressful for both yourself and your child in the long run. While you may be having marital, financial, emotional issues your child may be dealing with his/her equivalent problems, which can create a clash.

If you are in such a situation or to avoid getting there try and address these issues with special institutions that provide parenting help. These institutions are made available both online and locally where you live.

Other Situations That May Need Parenting Help

Parenting help may be needed especially if your child is practicing a dangerous habit such as smoking, drinking or worse, the use of drugs. In such situations professionals should be approached as soon as possible. While the habit of smoking and drinking can be discussed with your child before it gets out of hand, the one of using drugs usually needs help right away as any delay can prove fatal for your child.

Parenting help will provide you and your child with support in these situations because it will be hard on both therefore, do not hesitate to approach for help and save the day before it is too late.

Where To Look For Parental Help

Internet is the best place to look for parental help; here you will get a large number of sites and courses, which will help the parents as well as the children on many levels. Parental help does not only provide assistance in critical situations but also on everyday matters, where some parents may seek a better way to deal with situations.

Parental help will provide you with knowledge on how to approach and deal with good and bad situations alike so, look it up today and become a better parent.

Adam Henley
http://www.articlesbase.com/self-help-articles/what-every-parent-should-know-55707.html

Fill prescriptions and hand out pills? If only it were that simple! Those who pursue a pharmacy profession perhaps might have cause to wonder just how so much politics got mixed with their job?

Plan B, the “morning after” pill
It hovers conveniently between being a contraceptive and an abortion aid. It is one or the other, certainly, but how? And do you have moral grounds to refuse to fill a prescription for it? How about the legal grounds? That’s what pharmacists are asking all over the country.

Plan B is nothing more than a high dose of the synthetic hormone progestin the same ingredient in traditional birth control pills. Sold in the US, it can be used to prevent pregnancy for up to five days after sex though it is most effective when taken within 24 hours of intercourse. Plan B, its manufacturer says, reduces the odds of pregnancy by eighty-nine percent. Put another way, out of a hundred women having unprotected sex, typically eight will get pregnant; using Plan B, only one will.

But researchers can’t rule out the possibility that Plan B may also prevent implantation of eggs in the uterus, unlike a contraceptive which simply prevent the egg from being fertilized. They’re not sure because under natural conditions some fertilized eggs fail to implant anyway. So in studies on Plan B, there is virtually no way to tell whether the failure to implant is natural, or caused by the progestin in Plan B and is hence an “abortion pill”.

To further muddy the waters, many anti-abortion groups have been branching out to oppose contraception, too. Some see a direct connection between the practice of contraception and the practice of abortion. Religious bodies such as the Catholic church have traditionally been against contraception anyway. This leaves pharmacists caught in the middle, with a few of them choosing sides. Some have actually refused to supply the pill, citing religious reasons. This is one debate that promises to drag out for a long time before pharmacists are sure exactly what they should do.

Illegal here and legal there
The influx of Canadian pharmaceuticals in recent years has shown that not every American agrees with how their representative democracy regulates drugs. A kind of patchwork class struggle has ensued, with some opposing certain kinds of drugs on everything from financial to political to religious grounds and others being the elderly, infirm, or just plain liberal getting what they need however they can.

Though it is still illegal to import pharmaceuticals from Canada or other countries outside the States, the government now says that it is backing off strict enforcements that have irritated elderly consumers buying cheaper Canadian drugs. However, the Bush administration still claims that importing Canadian drugs is dangerous because the medicines could be inferior or counterfeit. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has said that the shift in policy does not mean that Canadian drugs are safe, but that the agency has simply decided to refocus its resources.

Called into question is the purity of motives. America still has no citizen-wide health plan to speak of, and citizens must rely on insurance. Meanwhile Canadians enjoy their health care free (well, taxed), and Americans are quick to cross a border to take advantage of a freer drug economy. One must question that if money weren’t involved, would this even be an issue? The FDA’s objections are based on the notion that Canadian drugs may be unsafe to take. Yet they seem to be good enough for Canadians to take…

ADHD
Ritalin and other stimulants are increasingly shown to be doing more harm than good, while the diagnosis of Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder is rapidly being shown to be quackery. That would have been heresy five years ago, when it was nothing but a rant for the occasional lone nut. But now child psychologists, neurologists, and pediatric physicians are starting to speak out on it. And they are making these strong accusations.

There’s the recently commenced FDA hearings, which pertain to reports of death, strokes and heart attacks in children and adults treated for ADHD Most recently the number one ADHD drug has been reported to cause strokes, some were sudden deaths and others were heart complications. Furthermore, the various drugs used to treat ADHD are always amphetamines, which are potentially as addicting as cocaine. And we prescribe it for half of the population, since the symptom list to ADHD reads pretty much like anybody could have it on a boring day.

It is certain that somebody, somewhere in the system wants ADHD and amphetamine prescriptions to stay around, leaving families, parents, and doctors to wonder whether they are seeing a real disease being treated, or a corporate machine grinding them into it’s bottom line.

The marketing of drugs
Every country in the world bans the practice of direct-to-consumer drug advertising… except the United States. Here, consumers are subjected to a never-ending barrage of televised drug ads showing for an increasing array of patented chemicals to treat a mystifyingly trivial array of “diseases” and “disorders”. TV commercials get more and more vague as to what, exactly, their product treats. Essentially, it amounts to taking pills for nothing. They actually have an acronym all their own: SMD, “Spontaneous Mass Diagnosis”, where a new disorder is “discovered”, then a bunch of patients are created who are potential customers for the pill the company which “discovered” the disorder.

A serious backlash against this direct marketing and it’s effect on the industry has yet to find a voice. Mostly passive controversy exists. Americans, as it turns out, are more liberal about drugs than we once thought, as even those who strongly oppose the commercial drug racket tend to shrug and say “But if somebody wants to take it, let them!”

Will it get more controversial?
Much of these issues being raised are the result of advances in the way we practice medicine. But they are only a start. There are more advances in medical science being made today, and they will almost certainly lead to more political “hot-button” issues landing in the pharmaceutical industry’s collective lap.

Josh Stone
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-changing-face-of-the-pharmaceutical-industry-72629.html

Are you suspecting that your child, or someone you know, is exhibiting ADHD signs? Maybe they’re fidgety or they don’t always listen. Do they seem inattentive or hyperactive? How’s the school work going? Are they falling behind the other kids? All these could be ADHD telltale signs.

ADHD can be caused by a number of things that contribute to this condition. One of the main causes has to do with brain function. The imbalance of chemicals in the brain (dopamine) can cause some children to develop ADHD. Some secondary causes include inheriting the condition from family members. Only three to five percent of kids have ADHD but there is a twenty five percent chance that someone in their family has the condition also. Other causes could be exposure to toxins or their parents abusing drugs during pregnancy.

Boys far exceed girls in the number of reported cases.

ADHD signs can be categorized into inattentive and hyperactive symptoms. So take a look at these ADHD telltale signs and see if it sounds like your child.

Inattentive symptoms:

* Falling behind in school work. They can’t pay attention long enough in the class room to learn much.

* Misplacing things at home and not remembering where they put it.

* Not being able to follow orders or complete what they’re told to do.

* Not being able to remember activities they perform every day.

* Not very good at organizing. ( hard for them to figure out how to clean their room)

* After talking directly to your child, you ask for feedback on what you said to them and they don’t have a clue as to what you just said.

* They love physical activity, but avoid any activity where they have to use their brain.

Hyperactive symptoms:

* Always moving around. It’s like they have ants in their pants, as my Mom used to say. They just can’t stay still no matter how much you may threaten them.

* Can’t stay in their chairs at school.

* Can’t play quietly. They seem to be pretty noisy and don’t know how to stop talking. This is especially true when they’re around other kids.

* Impulsive behavior is one of the major ADHD signs so be on the look out for this one especially. Being impulsive at inappropriate times. Maybe they start running down an aisle in a grocery store. They act without thinking about the consequences. Maybe they yell out answers before the question is finished being asked. They can’t wait their turn when playing a game with others. They will interrupt others frequently and will want to be the center of attention.

Your child may have some or all of these ADHD telltale signs but they will need to be observed for at least six months by a trained medical professional to be properly diagnosed. If your child is diagnosed with ADHD, there all several treatment options available.

Treatment options include prescription medicines, behavior therapy (usually in a group setting), herbal and homeopathic remedies, bio feedback, diet control, and others. I chose behavior therapy and herbal remedies for my son. I tried the prescription medicines but didn’t like the side effects, so I took him off it. He’s now a well adjusted young man serving his country in the army. It’s a decision you and your child’s doctor will have to make, so make sure you do your ADHD research to be able to make an informed decision.

Remember if you see these ADHD signs in your child, or someone you know, do something about it! The earlier treatment is started, the sooner these ADHD telltale signs will disappear and the result will be a much better adjusted and happier individual. And isn’t that the bottom line?

Diana Ketchen
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/learn-to-identify-adhd-signs-in-your-child-744906.html

We are located in the Reno/Carson City, Nevada area. Resources here are very hard to find.

While I don’t live in or anywhere near Nevada, I thought I’d give you a hand and did some searching.

Most doctors who deal with ADD/ADHD can be found in a combined practice known as behavioral health. I did a google search for your area and this is what I came up with. I hope it helps:

http://www.google.com/search?q=reno+behavioral+center&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&startIndex=&startPage=1

Good luck!!

My friends son was just diagnosed with ADHD and she is really poor and in school. She has applied for SSI to help pay for any therapy her son may need. He is really behind developmentally and can get completely out of control at times. She does not want to treat it with medications, but rather, alternative forms of treatment such as OT or Music therapy. She spoke to one of our professors, who is a MT-BC, and she told her to try a Gluten free diet, and get Asberger’s ruled out. I really want to help her get the best help possible. Any info would be appreciated! thank you

SSI is for children with marked impairment in functioning-generally not ADHD—-if he has ADHD in additional to other impairments he may qualify..as you say he is behind developmentally—but his needs are unclear as in the title of your question—you indicate ADHD only

the school may be able to provide some services–specifically OT

Martial Arts is a good activity for kids with ADHD-really helps with their attention/control their activty

and its Aspergers you want to rule out.

also Sensory Integration disorder that is treated by an OT
Sensory problems are often misdiagnosed as ADHD..

I am going to assume she fully researched meds before deciding against it–if not–she needs to do this–some kids are at risk for serious injury because of ADHD—and she could consider a week or month long trial of meds before making a final decision–

The word –struggling- is describing a mental condition of a youth who are trying to understand the condition of social and moral environment. Struggling youth are progressively challenged to achieve physical goals of which they may have never imagined themselves capable. As their fitness levels increase so does their confidence and desire to maintain a healthy life style. There are many programs, boarding schools, and summer camps are running for the help of struggling youth. Struggling youth and even those not struggling tend to project their own personal smoke screens for various reasons and these youth affected by different type’s depression and disorder. They learn self-reliance and survival techniques. Their body image improves and their self-respect soars. The fresh air makes them feel alive and their bodies are nurtured.

Struggling teens can travel to areas of cultural significance and learn how the ancients lived in harmony with their surroundings. When families seek help for a child who is struggling with emotional, academic, substance abuse or behavioral problems, they often retain the assistance of professionals within their community, such as therapists, psychologists, and tutors who can work with the child and family on an outpatient basis.

The majority of struggling youth, this level of intervention and support might be what is needed. However, in some cases, a recommendation for a longer-term residential school or program may be indicated. Reasons for a longer term residential program may include acuity of behaviors or issues, need for containment, removal from current negative peer group, resistance to less restrictive levels of treatment, or lack of resources in the home community to meet the specific needs of the child.

Struggling youth in school with their academic’s, this could be either a learning disability that has not been diagnosed or your child is having some emotions that are distracting them from school. For Struggling youth focuses on the special needs of parents who are struggling with an adolescent, particularly those parents who have teenagers who are at high risk for behavioral, emotional, and academic problems that can affect their ability to succeed in school.

In the past, families seeking residential options have considered enrolling their child in boarding or military schools. This was predicated on the assumption that a 24-hour/7 day a week structure was required. Though these traditional settings provided structure, they rarely provided the supervision or therapeutic remediation that was necessary for success.

Wilderness camps program focuses on utilizing backcountry living, peak ascents, therapeutic games and initiatives to challenge students in effective communication, self-analysis, healthy competition/teamwork, and conflict resolution. Build self-confidence; develop a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

Wilderness therapy programs sometimes referred to as Outdoor Education, have proven themselves to be exceptional catalysts for change in troubled children and teenagers. Because of our reputation for quality, safety and longevity, many of wilderness programs have been highlighted in TV documentaries and written about in the national media.

Wilderness camps not only provide struggling teens with an opportunity to learn more about the world but also more about their physical strength. Wilderness camp became very useful for struggling youth. Wilderness camps promote a healthy lifestyle. Struggling youth are progressively challenged to achieve physical goals of which they may have never imagined themselves capable. As their fitness levels increase so does their confidence and desire to maintain a healthy life style. They learn self-reliance and survival techniques. It provides struggling teens with knowledge and inspiration, a healthy body, and relationships and experiences that they will value and cherish for a long time to come. The wilderness is a mystical place of beauty and tranquility that can provide a unique type of help for struggling teens.

Wilderness programs have assisted young people to identify and work through internal conflicts and emotional obstacles that have kept them from responding to parental efforts, schools, and treatment. These are children who are inherently good and have the ability to be successful, but because of unhealthy misperceptions about themselves, they have limited access to their own abilities and strengths.

For all kind of professional help just log on:

http://www.abundantlifeacademy.com/

http://www.troubledteens4jesus.com/

http://www.troubledteenministries.com/

Abundant Life Academy is a Christian boarding school providing the spiritual reality that today’s troubled teen lacks. Website(s) is on the cutting edge of academics, spiritual growth, and leadership training. It presents a full package, filled with power, performance, and promise. It is the alternative to the traditional boarding school, the therapeutic boarding school, and the emotional boarding school. Troubled Teens For Jesus offers a wide variety of information pertaining to parenting teens in today’s society. They hope that the information presented on this site will be of some use to parents everywhere. They know that in today’s society, parenting teens can be a huge challenge and it always helps to receive a little insight from others who have been down that path. Be sure to come back and see us often as they are continually adding information to the site.

Monica Craft
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/struggling-youth-and-wildness-camps-86611.html

The word –struggling- is describing a mental condition of a youth who are trying to understand the condition of social and moral environment. Struggling youth are progressively challenged to achieve physical goals of which they may have never imagined themselves capable. As their fitness levels increase so does their confidence and desire to maintain a healthy life style. There are many programs, boarding schools, and summer camps are running for the help of struggling youth. Struggling youth and even those not struggling tend to project their own personal smoke screens for various reasons and these youth affected by different type’s depression and disorder. They learn self-reliance and survival techniques. Their body image improves and their self-respect soars. The fresh air makes them feel alive and their bodies are nurtured.

Struggling teens can travel to areas of cultural significance and learn how the ancients lived in harmony with their surroundings. When families seek help for a child who is struggling with emotional, academic, substance abuse or behavioral problems, they often retain the assistance of professionals within their community, such as therapists, psychologists, and tutors who can work with the child and family on an outpatient basis.

The majority of struggling youth, this level of intervention and support might be what is needed. However, in some cases, a recommendation for a longer-term residential school or program may be indicated. Reasons for a longer term residential program may include acuity of behaviors or issues, need for containment, removal from current negative peer group, resistance to less restrictive levels of treatment, or lack of resources in the home community to meet the specific needs of the child.

Struggling youth in school with their academic’s, this could be either a learning disability that has not been diagnosed or your child is having some emotions that are distracting them from school. For Struggling youth focuses on the special needs of parents who are struggling with an adolescent, particularly those parents who have teenagers who are at high risk for behavioral, emotional, and academic problems that can affect their ability to succeed in school.

In the past, families seeking residential options have considered enrolling their child in boarding or military schools. This was predicated on the assumption that a 24-hour/7 day a week structure was required. Though these traditional settings provided structure, they rarely provided the supervision or therapeutic remediation that was necessary for success.

Wilderness camps program focuses on utilizing backcountry living, peak ascents, therapeutic games and initiatives to challenge students in effective communication, self-analysis, healthy competition/teamwork, and conflict resolution. Build self-confidence; develop a sense of accomplishment and self-worth.

Wilderness therapy programs sometimes referred to as Outdoor Education, have proven themselves to be exceptional catalysts for change in troubled children and teenagers. Because of our reputation for quality, safety and longevity, many of wilderness programs have been highlighted in TV documentaries and written about in the national media.

Wilderness camps not only provide struggling teens with an opportunity to learn more about the world but also more about their physical strength. Wilderness camp became very useful for struggling youth. Wilderness camps promote a healthy lifestyle. Struggling youth are progressively challenged to achieve physical goals of which they may have never imagined themselves capable. As their fitness levels increase so does their confidence and desire to maintain a healthy life style. They learn self-reliance and survival techniques. It provides struggling teens with knowledge and inspiration, a healthy body, and relationships and experiences that they will value and cherish for a long time to come. The wilderness is a mystical place of beauty and tranquility that can provide a unique type of help for struggling teens.

Wilderness programs have assisted young people to identify and work through internal conflicts and emotional obstacles that have kept them from responding to parental efforts, schools, and treatment. These are children who are inherently good and have the ability to be successful, but because of unhealthy misperceptions about themselves, they have limited access to their own abilities and strengths.

For all kind of professional help just log on:

http://www.abundantlifeacademy.com/

http://www.troubledteens4jesus.com/

http://www.troubledteenministries.com/

Abundant Life Academy is a Christian boarding school providing the spiritual reality that today’s troubled teen lacks. Website(s) is on the cutting edge of academics, spiritual growth, and leadership training. It presents a full package, filled with power, performance, and promise. It is the alternative to the traditional boarding school, the therapeutic boarding school, and the emotional boarding school. Troubled Teens For Jesus offers a wide variety of information pertaining to parenting teens in today’s society. They hope that the information presented on this site will be of some use to parents everywhere. They know that in today’s society, parenting teens can be a huge challenge and it always helps to receive a little insight from others who have been down that path. Be sure to come back and see us often as they are continually adding information to the site.

Monica Craft
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/struggling-youth-and-wildness-camps-86611.html

It is important to understand that diagnosis of ADD/ADHD requires a considerable amount of observation as well as thorough psychological and medical testing. There are also diagnosis made on reporting basis such as self-reporting, reporting from parents, teachers and caregivers. It is common for individuals to be diagnosed with ADD/ADHD by the family physician and without going through much discussion on the condition of the person. Diagnosis have also been made without further testing crucial to clarify that the symptoms are really ADD/ADHD and not other common disorder as well as undesirable behavior.

The condition of being misdiagnosis, be it over diagnosis and under diagnosis have been causing great problems for the medical community even worse for society that has to deal with deviant behavior etc. Proper diagnosis is needed to ensure sanity for all.

Many common disorders can mimic the symptoms of ADD/ADHD resulting in an incorrect diagnosis if adequate care is not taken to compare the symptoms of each individual carefully with every available condition rubric. The symptoms of ADD/ADHD are so obtuse that they can easily be attributed to depression, anxiety, specific learning disabilities, early onset bipolar disorder, Tourette’s Syndrome, food allergies, head injuries, fetal alcohol syndrome, dental problems (such as abscessed root canals or mercury toxicity from fillings), family dynamics issues, grief or trauma, and even simple poor parenting!

There is really not many cases of real ADD/ADHD diagnosis out there.

Due to the fact that other disorders have symptoms very similar to ADD/ADHD, a better method of diagnosis is required to ensure preciseness of diagnosis.

Differential diagnosis is a process that so far has proven correct diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.

Merriam-Webster’s Medical Dictionary defines differential diagnosis as “the distinguishing of a disease or condition from others presenting similar symptoms”. Essentially, the process takes place in the following manner:

Before anything else, the clinician investigates the history and physical examination of the patient so that possible disorders can be list out. This process is called differential diagnosis and it is a clinical decision making. With all the possible disorder listed, related tests are carried out on the patient- Encyclopedia Brittanica.

Perhaps the most important part of the process is when “the clinician then decides what tests to order to help refine the list or identify the specific disease”. In many cases, this refinement never takes place. Conditions such as food allergies, toxicity, and psychological issues are rarely investigated. There are several reasons for this. It is often difficult for a physician to confront a parent with what may be a display of symptoms due to poor parenting, abuse, or familial stress, and many physicians realize that the work involved in teaching everyone involved with someone diagnosed with a nutritional deficiency or toxicity is more than some families will commit to. Additionally, it’s ok to have ADD/ADHD, it’s not ok to be in the early stages of developing a major mental disorder.

Suggesting that parents change their method of parenting can be an impossible mission.

It is hard to accept that a diagnosis points to mental illness.

Most people tend to ignore the necessity of meeting nutritional needs as well as addressing allergies and sensitivities. Not many will make effort to avoid toxic substance either.

It’s easier to medicate.

This simply bailing out using medication is causing dangerous misdiagnosis. Correct diagnosis of ADD/ADHD consist of careful examination on what is causing the symptoms and this may takes up much time, energy and resources.

Yih Ted Jee
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/addadhd-the-often-wrong-usual-suspects-671722.html