No one cares exactly like a mom

As a mom, you are your child's strongest advocate in life, and you know your child's needs better than anyone else. So when you found out that your child had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and made the decision to seek treatment, you continued your commitment to your child's well-being.

Unfortunately, not everyone will recognize that. Many people do not understand ADHD and may not understand your decision to seek medical treatment for your child's ADHD. Consider this an opportunity for you to educate people who have been misinformed about ADHD.

Here are some examples of comments you may hear about ADHD and some facts that may help you respond.

"Your child's ADHD is probably because of bad parenting."

• There is no evidence at this time showing ADHD can arise purely from child-rearing methods or social factors
• Many experts believe genetics and brain structure/
  development are the strongest possible causes of ADHD²

"ADHD is an excuse; it doesn't really exist."

• ADHD is a recognized psychiatric disorder, and is included in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders¹
• ADHD is a medical condition that affects boys and girls; it cannot be cured but is treatable

"Children with ADHD may not benefit from medication."

• Similar to diabetes and asthma, ADHD is a medical condition that can improve with treatment
• The symptoms of ADHD may have a negative impact on day-to-day functioning that may continue into adulthood. For example, academic performance may suffer, as may social and family relationships⁷

"Medication for ADHD is unsafe for children."

• The active ingredient in ADDERALL XR has been used medically for nearly 70 years⁸
• Each drug used to treat ADHD has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and demonstrated in clinical studies to be effective and generally well tolerated in children with ADHD²
• ADDERALL XR is approved for use in children six years of age and older who have been diagnosed with ADHD¹²
• Individuals with certain medical conditions should not take ADDERALL XR. Please click here for more information

Read about the experiences of other Moms Who Care