ADHD: Learn About Symptoms, Find Support
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects millions of children throughout the United States. Many more people think they might have it because the symptoms can appear quite commonplace. That is why the Internet is bustling with Web sites devoted to ADHD. Certainly the Internet is no replacement for a doctor, and almost all the sites below are quick to admit that, but this ADHD Web Guide is a tool that should not be wasted.
Expand All Guide SectionsADHD and ADD Basics
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), also referred to as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), has three variations. Some sufferers mainly have trouble concentrating on a task but are able to remain still. Others can stay focused on a task but cannot keep still. The third group, the majority, experience both. Use this section to find information on ADHD and ADD basics.
Insights for ADHD and ADD Basics
- ADHD is usually associated with children. As a result, a majority of sites on the issue are directed toward parents. These sites tend to assume that the reader has little prior medical knowledge. But there are certainly sites out there for individuals with more in-depth medical knowledge.
- If you're using a search engine to find information on ADHD, be sure to enter the full acronym: ADHD or AD/HD, not ADD. Although you'll find plenty of helpful results with "ADD," you'll be more successful with "ADHD," as the better-established authorities on the subject frequently use the official wording.
Top Sites for ADHD and ADD Basics
For a quick introduction to ADHD ...
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
has a concise site that offers a rundown of what ADHD is, the treatments available, the prognosis and the research currently being done.
For an overview of ADHD ...
National Resource Center on AD/HD
uses the FAQ format to cover the basics of ADHD. Search the archive of questions and answers for your topic of interest, or pose your question via phone or e-mail.
National Institute of Mental Health
covers everything you need to know about the disorder, including its history, symptoms, causes, treatments, coping and more. You can also download the information in a PDF file for easier reading.
For extensive information on ADHD ...
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
has a reader-friendly Web site that makes it easy to find what you want. Information is also available in Spanish.
Mayo Clinic
covers all aspects of ADHD, including causes, treatments, complications, how to cope and more. Simply click on which category interests you.
ADHDNews.com
is a site dedicated to ADHD. Although the site appears sloppy, it's still a great resource with hundreds of pages examining ADHD and about 8,000 members, according to the site. Look for discussion boards, news updates and a blog.
For official organizations ...
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
(CHADD) was founded in 1987 to bring ADHD to public attention. The site provides lots of information on understanding ADHD, finding support and more.
Attention Deficit Disorder Association
is probably the most extensive site dealing strictly with adults who have ADHD, providing a considerable amount of information and networking opportunities. It even has a short self test to help determine whether you might have ADHD.
Learning Disabilities Association of America
has information about learning disabilities in general, without a focus on ADHD. The site is for parents, teachers and medical professionals, and the purpose of the organization is to give people with learning disabilities more opportunities to succeed in society.
ADHD Treatment
There is no cure for ADHD, but there are many treatments. There are many forms of behavioral therapy and a number of medications used to diminish the symptoms. The Web sites in this section detail how to diagnose ADHD and how to find ADHD treatment options, including behavioral therapies, medications and alternative treatments.
Insights for ADHD Treatment
- The Internet can be a dangerous place to look for medication or medical treatment, especially when it comes to alternative therapies, because not everything on the Internet can be trusted. Make sure to consult only the most well established sites such as the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Pediatrics, or some of the others listed below.
- The "About Us" section of a Web site is a great way to determine its validity. If a site doesn't have an "About Us" section, that is usually an indicator that it's not a valid source. For more on how to assess the credibility of health Web sites, see our findingDulcinea Health Web Guide.
- There are a number of articles online suggesting new breakthroughs in medicine and recent studies. Make sure these articles are current by checking their publication dates.
- Always consult your doctor before beginning any new treatment; ADHD should not be managed alone.
Top Sites for ADHD Treatment
For ADHD diagnosis ...
American Academy of Pediatrics
has information geared toward parents of young children who may be showing signs of ADHD. Download the PDF document, "AAP Parent Page: ADHD and your School-Aged Child" to learn what to look for and what treatment options are available.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
has an ADHD homepage with facts on ADHD, information on diagnosis and treatment, and data and statistics on ADHD. Also find research articles and helpful links to other Web sites for more information.
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
has a site that states what is and what is not ADHD. Perhaps best of all, it has an easily accessible 28-minute video thoroughly explaining ADHD and how to handle it.
For ADHD medication ...
FamilyDoctor.org
lists the medicines used to treat ADHD, the side effects associated with these medicines, how to take the medication, whether the medicines help with other problems and how long the treatment should last. The site does a great job of describing medications for those without a medical background.
National Resource Center on AD/HD
covers medication management for children, teenagers and adults with ADHD. You'll also find some frequently asked questions about ADHD medications.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
compiles information on medications for a number of different disorders and illnesses. This is a good site to scan from time to time to check the status of a drug, and to see whether the FDA has listed any health alerts.
For behavioral therapy in ADHD...
WebMD
uses a video to speak directly to parents on using behavioral techniques for children with ADHD.
ADDitude,
a magazine devoted to living with ADD and other learning disabilities, has an article on ADHD behavior therapy. Find out how behavior modification can help parents make a difference in the child's behavior.
For alternative treatments for ADHD ...
National Resource Center on AD/HD
has an extensive section on alternative and complementary treatments for the disorder. There are many different ADHD treatments out there, and this site not only describes many of them but also explains what to look for in alternative therapies and how to maintain a critical eye.
KidsHealth
has an area devoted to creating an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Meant for parents, this site is a good introduction to IEPs, though it might be a little too vague to use on its own.
ADHD Support
The effects of ADHD are not limited to the individual who suffers from the disorder. Sometimes family members feel they are to blame if their children are not able to concentrate or experience difficulties in school. The Web sites below provide numerous avenues for ADHD support.
Insights for ADHD Support
- Many sites that focus on ADHD not only contain an abundance of information on the topic but also connect people who are dealing with the disorder with each other. These forums are not only meant for individuals suffering from ADHD, but also for parents and teachers who would like support.
- The ADHD info sheets from the National Resource Center on AD/HD are great resources. Use them to find the most recent developments on ADHD.
- The National Resource Center on AD/HD also offers this short section to point out to parents that ADHD is frequently associated with other conditions, such as depression, and parents need to look out for these possibilities.
Top Sites for ADHD Support
For families ...
The Cleveland Clinic
tells teachers and parents how to best accommodate a child with ADHD. It has a bullet point format that's organized by area of difficulty and is very easy to follow.
National Resource Center on AD/HD
talks about how parents can support their ADHD child, starting with avoiding self-blame. The site explains how parents can be a tremendous help to their children and outlines a plan of action.
My ADD/ADHD Blog
is a helpful source of information from a woman with ADHD on recent news, people to contact, suggested books for further reading and events.
Special Education Law Blog
is written by Charles Fox, an attorney who is the parent of a special needs child, and includes contributions from other guest authors. Fox posts updates about the U.S. Department of Education and discusses advancements in regulations from a legal perspective. He also offers advice and describes his own experiences in a well-written, informative way.
Alliance for Technology Access
lets you search for assistive technology vendors in your area. Find links to more than 30 nationwide vendors. The Alliance is a national network of community-based vendors, developers and resource centers.
Family Guide to Assistive Technology
provides a guide to assistive technologies for families of children with special needs. The site is text-heavy and a bit ugly, but written in simple English with lots of valuable information. It has definitions of all the available technology, articles with purchasing advice, and information about government policy and funding.
Special Education News
posts daily news about special education-related matters. Search the site for articles on a variety of related subjects or specific disabilities.
For ADHD support groups ...
ADDResource.com
is a great place to find ADHD support groups, professional help, news and more. The support groups section has a substantial list of groups with descriptions and links to each group's Web site.
Who knew?
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Online
has an interesting article for those who have ADHD and are considering military service. This article clears up the often inconsistent information on the issue.
Adult ADHD Help
Due to the fact that the signs of ADHD generally develop early in childhood, ADHD is commonly considered a childhood disorder. Nevertheless, there are plenty of adults who might have symptoms of the disorder but are not aware of it. Fortunately, there are plenty of sites available that provide adult ADHD help.
Insights for Adult ADHD Help
- Many adults who have trouble holding down a job or concentrating don't realize that they might have ADHD. Medication and therapy can improve their quality of life tremendously but only if they seek help. There are many online tests that aim to bring attention to these symptoms so that people can consult a doctor for an ADHD assessment.
- As great as some Web sites may be, it can be a pain to keep referring back to them as you try to stay up to date on developments. Instead, have the information come to you by subscribing to an e-mail newsletter. For example, the National Center for Girls and Women with AD/HD, listed below, sends out a monthly e-newsletter with news, events and lots of other information.
Top Sites for Adult ADHD Help
For adults with ADHD ...
FamilyDoctor.org
provides a concise overview on adult ADHD. It's a good place to get general information when beginning a search.
Adult ADD Strengths
is a blog about how adults can make the most of living with ADHD. Pete Quily, an Adult ADD Coach, authors this blog. There are sections on "The Top 10 Advantages of ADD in a High Tech Career," and "26 Ways Pete Can Help ADD Adults."
Adult ADD and Money
is a blog meant to assist adults living with ADHD with their personal finances. The blog consistently uses guest authors in both the medical and business communities.
Experiencing ADDdvantages
is a blog by Jennifer Koretsky, an adult with ADHD who founded the ADD Management Group. The blog is dedicated to adults managing a life with ADHD.
For women with ADHD ...
National Center for Gender Issues and AD/HD
has a great Web site devoted to this often-disregarded demographic. Drs. Patricia Quinn and Kathleen Nadeau founded the organization in 1997 "to promote awareness, advocacy, and research on AD/HD in women and girls."
National Resource Center on AD/HD
is one of the few ADHD sites that has a section devoted to women who have the disorder. The section covers the common symptoms of ADHD in adult women, treatment options and strategies for daily life.
ADHD Research and News
Medical breakthroughs occur so often now that it can be difficult to keep up with the news. As the most immediate source of information, the Internet gives you the opportunity to stay on top of the most recent ADHD research and news.
Insights for ADHD Research and News
- The large organizations mentioned throughout this guide are the best places to find articles and studies about the latest research on ADHD.
- In our guide to ADHD, we provide you with hand-selected introductory and advanced resources to be used as a quick reference to get you started in your research. If you're looking for additional news and research sources for this or other diseases, check out our findingDulcinea Health Guide to learn the most effective techniques for finding them.
Top Sites for ADHD Research and News
For studies ...
American Psychological Association
has a section that contains a significant number of links to all kinds of ADHD research. There are links to current ADHD news articles, stories from APA's publication Monitor on Psychology, journal articles, APA press releases, books, videos and more.
National Institute of Mental Health
has a number of links to research on ADHD. Simply enter "ADHD" in the search field on the upper right to find recent articles.
The Nemours Foundation
offers articles on ADHD. Search the site using the search field in the upper right corner.
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