The Answers to your Questions

The following are the answers to some of your questions:



"Do all children with ADHD have social skills problems?”


In my experience, arguably, most children with ADHD have one sort of social skills problem or another. Children with ADHD do not learn social skills as easily as do typical children. Two children, one typical and one with ADHD, can live in the same house. The typical child will learn positive social skills and the child with ADHD will not. Why don’t children with ADHD learn social skills as easily as typical children?


Children with ADHD do not learn positive social skills because they become distracted during the time they are exposed to them, among other reasons. In other words, their attention to these positive social skills is interrupted; something interferes with their learning of socially appropriate behavior. For example, they may become distracted and have their attention interrupted due to temper tantrums; they may be paying attention to something other than their parent who is teaching them a social skill; or they may be anxious, among other reasons.


Children with ADHD who are easily distractible can learn positive social skills, but it is difficult for them to do so. I do not mean to paint a gloomy picture and say that these children will not learn positive social skills. They can and will learn positive skills if they have some help along the way. These children need help from teachers and parents who understand that they are not purposely trying to behave in a socially inappropriate way. Therefore, as teachers who work on social skills with children who have ADHD, you must have some expertise in both ADHD and social skills training.


"My child takes Concerta and his behavior is perfect when it is working. When it starts to wear off, quite honestly, he is very annoying. What can I do when it wears off?”


A good thing to do is to have your child get some exercise, whether it is riding on a stationary bike or taking a short walk, exercise has been shown to diminish distractibility and hyperactivity. After they exercise, they should be able to sit down and do their homework, for example, in a more focused way.


More answers in tomorrow’s entry…