ADHD Signs and Symptoms

It is normal for children to have trouble focusing and behaving at one time or another. However, children with ADHD do not just grow out of these behaviors. The symptoms continue, can be severe, and can cause difficulty at school, at home, or with friends.

A child with ADHD might:

• daydream a lot

• forget or lose things a lot

• squirm or fidget

• talk too much

• make careless mistakes or take unnecessary risks

• have a hard time resisting temptation

• have trouble taking turns

• have difficulty getting along with others

Learn more about ADHD from cdc.gov

If you suspect your child might have ADHD, talk to your pediatrician. 

Here are additional resources for students & families who struggle with attention, focus and the impacts on school and daily life.

https://www.additudemag.com/

http://www.adhdnavigator.net/

https://www.educationalcoachskyoung.com/

https://untappedlearning.com/ 

• 13 Things Emotionally Strong Parents Don't Do - Amy Morin

• ADHD is Awesome! - Penn and Kim Holderness

• The Anxious Generation  - Jonathan Haidt

• The Coddling of the American Mind: How good intentions and bad ideas are setting up a generation for failure -Greg Lukianoff & Jonathan Haidt

• The Gift of Failure: How the best parents learn to let go so their children can succeed -Jessica Lahey

• Grit: The power of Passion and Perseverance -Angela Duckworth

• Self-Compassion for Parents: Nurture Your Child by Caring for Yourself -Susan Pollak

• UnSelfie: Why Empathic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World - Michele Borba

Calming tools for BIG feelings

The best calming skills are those that meet these 5 criteria: 

1. It has to work (not all skills work for every person)

2. No Attention (can't be attention seeking or a distraction to others)

3. Safe

4. Portable (can use it anywhere)

5. Does not lead to avoidance (Work avoidance in particular. But we also sometimes want to avoid what makes us anxious and that's not always the best option. For more anxiety management tools see ANXIETY section above.)

• Breathing - ask you student about any of the breathing exercises they have learned at school. Many of our teachers and learning specialists will use these to help students regulate their emotions. 

• Movement - this could include anything from taking a walk to the drinking fountain, standing up for a stretch or movement break in class, active play at recess, biking, swimming, dancing or any other form of activity... when the body is moving the brain benefits! Find out from your student what movement strategies they could use at home or school to manage big emotions. 

• Talk to a trusted adult

• Talk to a friend

• Sing, play or listen to music - rhythm is a natural way to regulate our brains

• Read a book

• Journal, draw, or color

• Find a quiet space to be alone for a while - if your child is an introvert it just means they need to be quiet and alone for a time in order to recharge their batteries

• Others? talk with your children about healthy tools you use to calm down or find out about others they may have learned at school

Create a Calm-Corner at Home: 

Many of our classrooms have a place where kids can take a break and get reminders and a chance to practice using calming and coping strategies. If your student struggles to manage really big emotions (and resulting behavior that is unacceptable at home) you can try creating a space in your house where the child can be reminded of calming strategies we teach at school.  Calm Down Corner  Eventually, children should be able to regulate their own emotions without the use of a designated space. But as they learn and practice these strategies, the calming corner can be a big help for kids AND parents alike!

DCSD Virtual Calming Corner

Visit Judi's House for support and information for grieving children & families, including:

• Common Grief Reactions

• Developmental Differences in Grief

Books, websites and more!

• Big Life Journal - website, free printables, podcast for kids, and more!

• Let Grow - Filled with information and resources for parents, schools and communities to boost childhood independence

• Kid Confidence: Help Your Child Make Friends, Build Resilience, and Develop Real Self-Esteem - Eileen Kennedy-Moore 

• Age by age guide to building independence in kids

• The Gift of Failure: How the best parents learn to let go so their children can succeed -Jessica Lahey

• Grit: The power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Duckworth

• The Coddling of the American Mind: How good intentions and bad ideas are setting up a generation for failure. -Greg Lukianoff, Jonathan Haidt

• 13 Things Mentally Strong PARENTS Don’t Do - Amy Morin (We’ll be running a book study, Fall 2023)

Mindfulness and SEL

Check out this short video to learn more about Social Emotional Learning (SEL). At CCE we are using Wayfinder as our SEL curriculum. 

Part of our school-wide focus on SEL includes the practice of mindfulness. Simply defined, mindfulness is being aware of our thoughts and feelings in the present moment. And because thoughts and feelings impact choices and behaviors, this is something educators and parents are growing passionate about! Incorporating simple practices like mindful breathing is the starting point for helping children with such things as: 

• improve self-control and self-regulation skills

• strengthen their resilience and decision making 

• increase academic success and boost their enthusiasm for learning

• reduce peer conflict and increase things like empathy, compassion, patience, and generosity.

As part of our continued school-wide SEL work, classroom teachers and school counselors will model and teach various mindfulness practices that students can use in school and at home to help them calm big emotions and make wise choices. 

To give parents a better picture of how mindfulness can help kids, The Child Mind Institute has put together information on how it works, how it can be used at home and in school, and  the role mindfulness can play in treating a variety of mental health issues. Check it out! And please contact Mrs. Edwards if you have any questions about Mindfulness at CCE.

Colorado has an anonymous reporting system available at all times for the community to use. Anyone with a concern for someone else’s well being or safety can use Safe 2 Tell (1-877-542-7233) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Below is a list of resources for parents, should you have a concern that your child may be experiencing behavioral changes, mood swings, depression, or suicidal thoughts. 

• Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to your child or others 

• National Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 

• Colorado Crisis Services: 1-844-493-TALK (8255) 

  • Information About Types of Services and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Crisis Services 

• Colorado Crisis Center Walk-In Locations

• AllHealth Network: 303-730-8858 (serving all of Arapahoe and Douglas Counties)

• I Matter Colorado: connects youth 18 and younger (and 21 and younger for those receiving special education services) with a licensed therapist for up to 6 free counseling sessions! No insurance, credit card, or legal status information is required. Sessions are available in person or virtual by computer.

• Check your health insurance plan to determine coverage and search for in-network providers. 

• Find a Therapist through Psychology Today - filter for specific needs, client age, types of therapy, insurance accepted, and much more.

• DCSD Mental Health Intervention website

• Mobile apps for wellness and recovery

• Let’s Talk Colorado (Douglas County Government and Tri-County Health campaign)