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| Foreword | |
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| Introduction | |
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| Understanding AD/HD | |
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| What is attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD)? | |
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| What is a "disorder"? Is AD/HD a disease? | |
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| I've seen attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder listed as ADD, ADHD, and AD/HD. Which abbreviation is correct? | |
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| Does AD/HD really exist? | |
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| Why is AD/HD so controversial? | |
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| What areas of the brain are affected by AD/HD? | |
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| What areas of behavior and learning do these affected areas of the brain control? | |
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| Why can't scientists use neuroimaging to determine whether an individual has AD/HD? | |
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| What is the connection between dopamine and AD/HD? | |
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| What causes AD/HD? | |
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| Does genetics play a major role in the development of AD/HD? | |
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| Can bad parenting cause AD/HD? | |
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| Can other disorders be confused with AD/HD? | |
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| Can other disorders go along with AD/HD? What are these disorders? | |
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| Is AD/HD related to Asperger's disorder or autism? | |
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| Is AD/HD caused by a food or chemical allergy? | |
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| How common is AD/HD in children? | |
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| Can a child grow out of AD/HD? | |
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| Can AD/HD be cured? | |
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| Has the number of people with AD/HD gone up in the past few years? | |
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| How does AD/HD affect our society? How does it affect AD/HD children? | |
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| Why is it so important to treat AD/HD? | |
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| Symptoms of AD/HD | |
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| What are the symptoms of AD/HD? | |
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| Do children with AD/HD sometimes have sensory problems? | |
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| What other behaviors do children with AD/HD display? | |
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| Could temper tantrums and fits be a symptom of AD/HD? | |
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| Do vocal and physical tics sometimes go along with AD/HD? | |
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| Is there a higher occurrence of AD/HD in children with seizures? | |
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| Do children with AD/HD experience sleep disorders? | |
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| Diagnosis and Tests | |
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| How early can a child be tested for AD/HD? | |
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| What is the best way to have my child tested for AD/HD? | |
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| Besides the DSM-IV, what other tests are used to evaluate a child for AD/HD? | |
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| Why does the physician look for signs of coexisting disorders with AD/HD? | |
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| Is the school involved in testing? | |
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| What can I expect during testing? How long will it take? | |
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| Should we get a second opinion? | |
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| What will happen after my child receives an AD/HD diagnosis? | |
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| Can my child be mistakenly diagnosed with AD/HD? | |
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| Is AD/HD overdiagnosed or underdiagnosed? | |
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| Our daughter is in high school and was just diagnosed with AD/HD. How could we have missed it for this long? | |
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| Medication | |
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| What medications are used to help someone with AD/HD cope with his or her disorder? | |
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| How do these medications work? Are they helpful? | |
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| Are these medications like cocaine? | |
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| Are these medications safe? | |
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| Does using these medications cause tics? | |
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| Are generic versions of these medications available? | |
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| Is medication necessary for treating AD/HD? | |
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| Can children take these medications? | |
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| Can preschool children take these medications? | |
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| Will my child's growth be stunted if he is treated with stimulants? | |
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| How many children are receiving medication for AD/HD? | |
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| What are standard children's dosages for these medications? | |
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| How long will my child be on these medications? | |
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| How do we decide which medication is best for our AD/HD child? | |
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| Should our AD/HD child take a "drug holiday" from medication use? | |
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| How do we know whether the medication is helping our AD/HD child? | |
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| Are there some children who can't take these medications? | |
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| Can use of these medications by children cause later drug abuse? | |
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| Are stimulants controlled substances? | |
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| Alternative Practices | |
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| What about special diets to treat AD/HD? | |
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| What about vitamins and minerals to treat AD/HD? | |
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| What about the use of medicinal herbs to treat AD/HD? | |
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| What about other complementary and alternative practices? | |
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| Coping with the Diagnosis | |
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| Should I tell my child that he or she has AD/HD? | |
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| How can I help my child cope with AD/HD? | |
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| Should I spend extra time with my AD/HD child? | |
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| Are there any children's books about AD/HD that you would recommend for my child? | |
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| My teenager has just been diagnosed with AD/HD. How can I help him cope? | |
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| Are there any books that you would recommend for my AD/HD teen? | |
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| My child's grandparents don't understand. They just think he is misbehaving. How do I help them understand AD/HD? | |
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| Should I tell other people that my child has AD/HD? | |
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| Taking my AD/HD child to the grocery is a nightmare. She touches and asks for everything. How can I make this easier? | |
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| I'm losing my mind with my AD/HD child or teenager. How do I personally cope with this disorder? | |
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| Our child's AD/HD is creating problems in our marriage. What should we do? | |
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| What organizations are available to help with our child's AD/HD? | |
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| Educational Issues | |
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| What are my child's legal rights? | |
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| What is an IEP? | |
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| Does my AD/HD child have to be placed in a special classroom? | |
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| How can I help my child's teacher understand his AD/HD? | |
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| What should I do if my child's teacher is not supportive? | |
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| Lifestyle Issues | |
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| Doing homework with my child is a nightmare. How can we make this easier? | |
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| My child is constantly forgetting to bring his homework home. What should I do? | |
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| My child is too rough with his siblings, friends, and pets. What can we do? | |
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| What safety issues should we be aware of with our AD/HD child? | |
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| My child has trouble making and keeping friends. How can we help her socially? | |
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| Do AD/HD teenagers have a higher risk of developing substance problems? | |
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| Should someone with AD/HD drink alcoholic beverages? | |
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| Are there any issues with driving a car with which we should be concerned? | |
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| Should our AD/HD teen be allowed to babysit? | |
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| Pulling It All Together: The AD/HD Pyramid | |
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| Coaching Assignments | |
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| General Social Skills | |
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| Manners | |
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| Sensory Issues | |
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| School Issues | |
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| Friendships | |
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| Personal Grooming | |
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| Safety Issues | |
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| Sample Incentive Charts | |
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| Driver's Contract | |
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| Checklist for the AD/HD Pyramid | |
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| Glossary | |
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| References | |
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| Resources | |
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| Index | |