Explaining ADHD & LD to Your Child

My son was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 6 in 2003. About six months later, in early 2004, he was diagnosed with three learning disabilities. After receiving his diagnoses, I wondered how to explain them to him. After all, he was only six at the time. I didn't want to be too technical with him, as I knew he wouldn't understand. I also wanted to make sure he didn't feel like he was inadequate as a person either. I wanted to emphasis that although he was "different" he was still special and had much to offer the world. I began researching how best to tell him about his new diagnoses.

I learned that while explaining ADHD and LD to him I needed to do the following:

• Keep it simple. Use terms he could easily understand.
• Keep the explanation upbeat and positive.
• Let him know that he isn't alone. There are lots of other people in the world that have the same issues that he is facing.
• Emphasize his strengths instead of his weaknesses.
• Help him develop his strengths and discover his gifts.
• Encourage him daily to build up his self esteem
• Make sure he understood that ADHD and LD are not who he is, they are merely a part of who he is.
  

While researching, I also found several books that I utilized to help him understand ADHD and LD. I read these to him over a period of time of course, making sure each was age appropriate.

ADHD Related Books:

• Cory Stories: A Kid's Book About Living With Adhd (ages 4 - 8)
• Learning To Slow Down & Pay Attention: A Book for Kids About ADHD (ages 4 - 8)
• Otto Learns about His Medicine: A Story about Medication for Children with ADHD (ages 4 - 8)
• Shelley, the Hyperactive Turtle (ages 4 - 8)
• Putting on the Brakes: Young People's Guide to Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ages 9 - 12) There is also an activity book to go along with this one.
• The Survival Guide for Kids With ADD or ADHD (ages 9 - 12)
  
  

LD Related Books:

• It's Called Dyslexia (ages 4 - 8)
• The Alphabet War: A Story About Dyslexia (ages 4 - 8)
• Many Ways to Learn: Young People's Guide to Learning Disabilities (ages 8 - 14)
• The Survival Guide for Kids With LD (ages 9 - 12)
• The School Survival Guide for Kids With LD (ages 9 - 12)
• The Don't-Give-Up Kid and Learning Differences (ages 9 - 12)

I have found that these books create a dialog and encourage discussion between my son, my husband and myself. We continue to refer back to these books when our son has a question or if he just wants to freshen his memory.

*Please note that the links I have associated with each book title will take you to Amazon.com. However, I usually purchase my books from half.com. You have your choice of new or used books and the prices are excellent. Just wanted to let you know!

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