Presbyterian | Summer 2019 | Your Story

Many children can have trouble focusing or behaving from time to time. This is normal for children of certain ages. As many as five percent of children will still find it hard to pay attention and control certain behaviors and over-activity that they do not “grow out of.” These problems can be a sign of a very treatable illness. This is called attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. ADHD is an illness that is usually diagnosed in childhood and can go into adulthood for some. Symptoms can include: a lot of daydreaming, forgetting things, talking a lot, not being able to sit still, carelessness, unable to resist temptation, and having trouble with other children. Children with ADHD can have trouble doing well in school if it is not treated. Children with ADHD can have problems with drug addiction, get into car accidents when they start driving, and have less self-confidence. Diagnosing ADHD is done by a pediatrician or behavioral health provider. This usually involves having the parents and teachers answer questions, as well as interviewing and watching the child. Other issues and illnesses (such as depression or anxiety or vision or hearing issues) can look like ADHD. A full medical and behavioral evaluation can tell if it is ADHD. If you think your child may have ADHD, talk to your pediatrician first. He or she may be able to diagnose the symptoms. He or she may refer your child to a child behavioral specialist. There are behavioral interventions and medications that are safe and proven to work. Also, support from schools is available for school-aged children. ADHD is often inherited. Usually, parents of children with ADHD also have the disorder. Many of the symptoms of ADHD improve on their own as the child gets older. Many adults will still have attention deficit symptoms into adulthood. Treatment can help. Communication is important to you and to us. That’s why we offer translation services if you need them. We want you to have the information in the language or format you use so you can take charge of your own healthcare. We have bilingual staff and certified translator services. These services are available to help you talk with providers, nurses, and caregivers; learn about your health plan; and much more. Our translation and interpreter services include: • Language translation • Written materials translation • Telephonic interpreters • In-person interpreters • American Sign Language interpreters • Video remote interpreters It’s easy to request these services. Ask for them at any of Presbyterian’s clinics or hospitals. You can also call the Presbyterian Customer Service Center at the number on your member ID card. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children Presbyterian’s translation and interpretation services 8