ADD A to Z: Your Guide to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Download Your Copy Today

When it comes to children, parents spare no expense. If you have a child and believe he or she has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), then one of the most important things you can do for your child and for you is to find a good, ADHD pediatrician. Many times, teachers are the ones that first notice signs of ADHD simply because they are not as close to the situation. They may set up a conference with the child’s parents, letting them know that the child is struggling in school with hyperactivity, lack of concentration, and other behavioral problems. Rather than feel as if your child is being picked on or being afraid of the unknown, this is your opportunity to find the right doctor to get your child back on track.

Unfortunately, finding an ADHD pediatrician is easier than it sounds. Although we see more and more doctors taking a serious interest in children with ADHD, as the parent, you need to be proactive in choosing wisely. For starters, while it would be nice if this were not a part of the equation, insurance is a part of the decision. Start by finding a list of doctors within your insurance network that treat children with ADHD. From there, you can begin the interview process, asking questions of the ADHD pediatrician to make sure he or she is the best option for your child. This would include asking about experience in treating children with ADHD, preferred approach to this illness, and how readily available the doctor will be should you have a problem that arises. For example, if your child has a bad weekend, is the doctor on call? Is the ADHD pediatrician willing to work with various medications and other forms of treatment and/or therapy?

Typically, if your child is a new patient, a good ADHD pediatrician will offer consultation time where you can sit down and have a one-on-one conversation. If you are not offered this or if you feel, rushed during your consult then perhaps, you need to look for a different doctor. Remember, ADHD is challenging so it takes a tremendous amount of support and patience by the teacher, the parents, and the doctor. Therefore, whatever doctor you choose, you should expect a ton of patience and a positive, upbeat, and realistic approach to treating your child. Children with ADHD do not always have the same symptoms or the same intensity of symptoms. Therefore, you want your child to be treated as the individual he or she is.

Just remember that your child has the right to get the best medical support possible. Therefore, when choosing an ADHD pediatrician, you want a doctor that you feel comfortable with and confident in, but you also want a doctor with whom your child feels comfortable and safe. Depending on the age of your child, he or she may be aware that behaviors are different from other children so you do not want your child to feel embarrassed by having to go to the doctor. By trusting the ADHD pediatrician, you also trust the form of treatment being offered. However, the flipside is that if you disagree, you feel confident enough to tell your doctor you want other treatment options. Then, a good ADHD pediatrician would work with you, not against you!

To get the most out of your time with your child’s ADHD pediatrician, you also need to be a good patient, which means learning to be a good communicator and maximizing your time. As we all know, doctors are overloaded and work on extremely tight schedules. By learning to make the most of your time, you get more resolution and better respect from the doctor. Besides, your child is not going to have the ability to sit still long so this is a huge benefit for him or her as well. This means showing up with a list of questions or concerns, taking books, snacks, or other distractions for your child while in the waiting room, and then stating your case. By presenting your issues upfront, you will find you have more time for the doctor to come back to you and your child with questions and discussions. Although ADHD is frustrating for parents, a good ADHD pediatrician can make a huge difference in how your child copes in school and at home.