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-sites that try to clear up exactly what characterizes the disorder; sites that want to bring people together who live with it; and sites that teach people how best to manage it. Certainly the Internet is no replacement for a doctor, and almost all the sites below are quick to admit that, but the ADHD information on the Internet 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. The Internet can make it easy to find both general and in-depth information on ADHD and some helpful organizations.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Because ADHD is usually associated with children, the majority of sites on the issue are directed toward parents. As a result, they 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.
- When you search ADHD on the Internet, you will consistently come across many of the same sites. Sites like the National Resource Center on AD/HD and the American Academy of Pediatrics are sure to offer ample information during any part of your search.
- If you are using a search engine to find further information on ADHD, be sure to enter the full acronym: ADHD or AD/HD, not ADD. Although you will find plenty of helpful results with "ADD," you will be more successful with "ADHD," as the better-established authorities on the subject frequently use the official wording.
Dulcinea's Picks
For a quick introduction to ADHD ...
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
has an extremely concise site that is not an overwhelming way to start such a potentially intimidating quest for information. You'll find a rundown of what ADHD is, the treatments available, the prognosis, and the research currently being done.
For an overview of ADHD ...
The National Resource Center on AD/HD
uses the FAQ format. You can search the archive of questions and answers for your topic of interest, or pose your question via phone or e-mail. This site does a good job of laying down the basics in a format that's easy to follow.
The National Institute of Mental Health
provides this extensive Web site that 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 ...
The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities
has a reader-friendly Web site that makes it easy to find what you want. There is a section aptly called "Short and Sweet" and then another section called "Dive in Deeper," with a 24-page information trove. Information is also available in Spanish.
The Mayo Clinic
has a site that contains information about all aspects of ADHD, including causes, treatments, complications, how to cope, and more. It is user-friendly, as you can simply click on which category interests you.
ADHD News
is a site dedicated to ADHD. Although the site appears sloppy, it is still a great resource with hundreds of pages examining ADHD and about 8,000 members, according to the site. It describes the problem, lists ways of determining whether someone has it, offers discussion boards, and uniquely, presents news updates in its blog so people can get the most recent information on the disorder.
NewIdeas.net
contains a lot of updated and current information as well as some future possibilities for medication and cutting-edge developments. Though not as well established as some of the other sites that are hosted by medical organizations or foundations, NewIdeas has more than 150 pages of information and was started by a doctor with over 20 years of experience helping those with ADHD.
For official organizations ...
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
(CHADD), with more than 16,000 members and 200 chapters in the United States, was founded in 1987 to bring ADHD to public attention. The site provides lots of information, particularly through the National Resource Center on AD/HD links, which we link to often throughout this guide.
The 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.
The 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. Because those with the disorder may experience difficulty either learning or socializing with others, there are many forms of behavioral therapy. A number of medications can also diminish the symptoms. Usually the behavioral therapy works in conjunction with the medicine, and sometimes with alternative treatments, like a change of diet. The Web sites in this section detail how to diagnose ADHD and how to find standard medical treatments, behavioral therapies, or alternative treatments.
Dulcinea's Insight
- The Internet can be a dangerous place to look for medication or treatment for a disorder, 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 or 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. Also, if a site does not have an "About Us" section, that is usually an indicator that is it 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.
Dulcinea's Picks
On diagnoses ...
The American Academy of Pediatrics
has a site geared toward parents of young children who may be showing signs of ADHD. It states that parents are not responsible for making the diagnoses, as that is a job for the doctors. But this Web site puts the parents more at ease by letting them know what is required of them and how they can best help their children in these early stages. It also describes what the doctor looks for and why.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
site, in contrast, is intended for doctors. It lets doctors know what to look for when presented with a potential ADHD patient. This site is still useful for parents as it provides an opportunity to see what the doctors will focus on.
The 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. AACAP also provides the names of child and adolescent psychiatrists in your area. Unfortunately, it does not include much more information about each psychiatrist, like credentials.
For medication ...
The American Academy of Family Physicians
has this simple and helpful site, listing the medicines used to treat ADHD, the side effects associated with any of 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 the medications for those without a medical background.
This National Resource Center on AD/HD
site is specifically geared toward adult medication for ADHD. The site is thorough, not only delineating the different forms of treatment in an easy-to-understand way but also including some frequently asked questions about some of the treatment plans.
The 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.
ADHD News
features this blog forum where you can find entries on a variety of recent news items relating to ADHD, from information and opinions on a new treatment called Vyvanse to discussions on an FDA warning. As with many blog sites, always be wary of the source.
For behavioral therapy ...
The American Academy of Pediatrics
speaks directly to parents, and is just as much about training parents to deal effectively with ADHD as it is about parents monitoring their children. The site explains the use of behavior therapy and contains a helpful chart with some examples of this type of therapy.
The National Resource Center on AD/HD
provides this site focusing on the use of behavioral therapy in combination with medical treatments. It is meant for adults and adolescents with ADHD, and contains an extensive list of suggested reading.
For alternative treatments ...
The 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.
The Nemours Foundation
site 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.
Support for ADHD
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, and there are many Web sites dedicated to comforting parents of ADHD children and letting them know that they are not to blame. At the same time, parents and teachers can do so much to support those with ADHD, and these Web sites provide numerous suggestions on how to do so.
Dulcinea's Insight
- 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 someone to speak to-because sometimes the most comforting thing is to speak with someone else who is experiencing a similar situation.
- The Info Sheets from the National Resource Center on AD/HD are great resources. Use them to find the most recent developments on ADHD; it seems with ADHD that doctors are always discovering a small life change that can make a big difference.
- 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.
Dulcinea's Picks
For families ...
The Cleveland Clinic Health Information Center
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.
ADHDinfo.com
caters to parents and caregivers as well as to school personnel. It is easy to use as it has sections for both of these groups explaining the disorder and how best to help a child or student who has ADHD.
Here the 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.
Your ADD/ADHD News
is a blog that can be a helpful source of information on ADHD, such as recent news, people to contact, suggested books for further reading, and events. However, the source of this information is not all that clear so be careful about anything you take from this site.
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.
The Alliance for Technology Access
lets you search for assistive technology vendors in your area. Select "Vendors" from the menu and view a page with links to over 30 nationwide vendors. The Alliance is a national network of community-based vendors, developers, and resource centers.
The Family Guide to Assistive Technology
provides this 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. You can also use the menu on the left-hand side to search their archives for articles on a variety of related subjects or search by specific disability.
Your Attention Please
is a blog for those with ADHD, as well as for friends and family. There are numerous posts meant for parents of children with ADHD. One of the more prominent posts of the blog is entitled, "What does it feel like to have ADHD?"
For 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 this issue.
Adult ADHD Help
Because 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, either because the symptoms are not accentuated or because they never thought to consult a doctor for something that may have appeared commonplace. Women are also rarely considered when it comes to ADHD because they are not diagnosed with the disorder nearly as frequently as males. Fortunately, there are still plenty of sites out there for these groups-it is just a matter of looking in the right place.
Dulcinea's Insight
- 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. That is why there are so many online "tests" out there 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 great information for free.
Dulcinea's Picks
For adults with ADHD ...
The American Academy of Family Physicians
provides this concise overview on adult ADHD. It's a good place to get general information when beginning a search.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
posted this interesting article from the FDA Consumer magazine on its Web site. It claims that ADHD is now being diagnosed in adults more often, and shares the experiences of two adults living with the condition. It's a good article to read if you have trouble concentrating and think you might have ADHD.
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.
My ADD/ADHD Blog
is a written by Tara McGillicuddy, a woman with ADHD as well as an ADHD coach. The blog is not only geared toward adult women, as there are entries on men with ADHD. There are also entries on ADHD and marriage, among other topics.
Experiencing ADDAdvantages
is a blog by Jennifer Koretsky. She is an adult with ADHD, and she founded the ADD Management Group, LLC. The blog is dedicated to adults managing a life with ADHD.
For women ...
The National Center for Girls and Women with 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."
The 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 developments so you can then consult your doctor for more information.
Dulcinea's Insight
- The large organizations mentioned throughout this guide are the best places to find articles and studies about the latest research on ADHD. Organizations like the National Institute of Mental Health, the Nemours Foundation, and the Mayo Clinic connect you to innovations on any medical topic.
- 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.
Dulcinea's Picks
For studies ...
The 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.
The National Institute of Mental Health
has a number of links to research on ADHD. One of these is an article about how recent brain scans have shown a difference in the brains of people with ADHD. Another short article asserts that the use of ADHD medications has increased worldwide in recent years; the United States remains the largest user of these medications. A third article states that medication was previously not prescribed for children under the age of six, but the Institute has determined that it is safe for these children in low doses.
The Nemours Foundation
Web site displays this short article on a study performed in Denmark in 2005. The study revealed that children born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy were more likely to have ADHD.
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