How to tell your child that they have ADD or ADHD

World renowned Edward Hallowell, MD, EdD's explains how to tell your child that they have ADD or ADHD in a positive way. Learn how to tell your child about their learning disability in a way that they can embrace it and build their self-esteem.
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How to tell your child that they have ADD or ADHD

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Once a child is diagnosed with ADHD, the most important thing you can do is explain it to him or her in terms that he or she can feel good about. My favorite analogy is the race car brain with bicycle breaks. They can feel really good about that. They can own it. They can say, "Yes, I'm a champion in the making." Education is absolutely critical. Once you've done that, then you can set in motion change: lifestyle, sleep, diet, exercise, medication, what have you. Whatever you are going to do, but the key first step is explain it in ways that the child can embrace. "Yes, I have this. Now I'm going to work on strengthening my breaks."

World renowned Edward Hallowell, MD, EdD's explains how to tell your child that they have ADD or ADHD in a positive way. Learn how to tell your child about their learning disability in a way that they can embrace it and build their self-esteem.

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Edward Hallowell, MD, EdD

Psychiatrist, ADHD Specialist, & Author

Edward (Ned) Hallowell, MD, EdD is a Harvard-trained Child and Adult Psychiatrist in practice in Sudbury, MA (outside Boston) and New York City. The author of 18 books, Dr. Hallowell specializes in learning differences such as ADHD and dyslexia, both of which he has himself.  He has also written extensively on general issues of parenting and living in our modern age. He lives in the Boston area with his wife of 23 years, Sue, and their three children, Lucy, Jack, and Tucker.

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