Supporting the Success of  Your Child with ADHD

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August 16, 2024 | Tags: Wellness

A new school year can come with many new challenges, which can be especially difficult for kids diagnosed with ADHD. 

There are routine strategies you can implement to help support your child and set them up for success. Consider the following options and structure them based on what is best for your child and their needs: 

Stick to a follow-up schedule with your child’s physician

You and your child’s physician are a team. It’s important to build a good rapport with them to manage your child’s attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Physicians help with: 

  • Monitoring progress.
  • Observing signs of insufficient treatment.
  • Reviewing medication effectiveness and side effects.
  • Guidance with upcoming development hurdles.

Work together to establish a consistent schedule for follow up visits, at least once every three to four months, according to recommendations by Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). 

Adhere to medication treatment 

Think of taking ADHD medication like wearing a pair of glasses. They don’t cure your poor vision but improve it when they are worn. Medication is an important part of your child’s ADHD diagnosis as it helps manage their symptoms.

If your child starts taking medication, follow up with their physician soon after. Finding the right medication type and dose can take time, so be sure to communicate side effects like: 

  • Decreased appetite.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Sleep disturbances.
  • Headaches.

Failing to take medication on a regular schedule can cause symptoms to reappear, so it's crucial to maintain a strict regimen. Work to educate and express to your child the importance of taking their medication regularly. 

Setting up an IEP or 504 plan 

Consider an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan, which are formal plans designed to offer support and education services for students with unique needs or disabilities. 

Each option has different requirements, and your child may qualify for one over the other:  

IEP:

  • A legal agreement where services must be provided. 
  • Requires child to have one or more of 13 specified disabilities. 
  • A written document listing individualized special education services and measurable learning and behavioral goals. 
  • Reviewed at least once per year.  

504 plan:

  • Doesn’t have to be a written document. 
  • Child has any kind of disability that impacts one or more major life activities. 
  • Accommodations and modifications are made to the learning environment to meet the needs of the child as adequately as other students. 
  • Doesn’t typically track progress.  
     

If you believe your child needs an IEP or 504 plan, write a letter to their school’s special education director or principal requesting an evaluation. 

Helpful resources

Additional resources are available to help aid and manage your child’s ADHD and support you as a parent or caregiver:

  • Positive Parenting Program: Also called Triple P, this free parenting and caregiver resource is available through the state of Ohio, offering tools and courses to help your child’s development and improve their wellbeing.
  • Scholarships: The Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship and the Autism Scholarship can help ease the financial strain of educational and therapeutic services. Both are offered through the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) with eligibility criteria and application instructions available on their website.
  • Behavioral Health Case Management: Medical Mutual offers access to a team of case managers, registered nurses, social workers, care navigators and physicians specializing in mental health and substance abuse. Call 1-800-258-3175 (TTY 711 for hearing impaired) to connect with a team member or email a brief description of your current mental health challenges to BehavioralHealthDepartment@medmutual.com. 

Medical Mutual members have access to mental health resources through My Health Plan.

You can also reach out to your primary care provider (PCP) to help direct you to the right behavioral health professional. If you don't have a PCP or need help finding one, use our Find a Provider tool or call Customer Care at the number listed on your member ID card.

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