adhd tips

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Dear Theresa,

Here are the tips and information you requested to help you manage your

child's ADHD. You might already realize the importance of smooth transitions

when it comes to his or her daily schedule - and back-to-school is a big

one. Getting prepped for school now may ease your child's transition from

summertime to school time, and help with managing ADHD symptoms throughout

the year.

Make your child's transition from summertime to school time smoother with

these helpful tips:

Outline a successful school year

Make this school year count with CONCERTA

A few small steps might make a big difference in your child's ADHD symptoms

Know your educational rights

Outline a successful school year

This school year, it's important to talk to your child's doctor about

medications for his or her ADHD - like once-daily CONCERTA - and to also

consider some behavior modification techniques. This combined treatment plan

is referred to as a " Comprehensive Approach " to managing ADHD, and has been

shown to be beneficial in managing ADHD symptoms both during and outside of

school.

Build a support team - A successful comprehensive treatment program may

involve a coordinated effort by everyone who frequently interacts with your

child - parents, family, caregivers, teachers/school personnel, coaches,

physicians and other healthcare professionals. These team members should be

able to frequently observe your child and provide feedback. You might find

it helpful to track the feedback you receive in a journal, in a spreadsheet

file or on a calendar. This way you can easily see which ADHD management

techniques are working and which are not as effective for your child.

Keep the lines of communication open - To see the best possible difference

in your child's ADHD symptoms, stay in touch with his or her teacher and

other support team members. Consider calling or exchanging weekly status

e-mails so all parties can keep current on your child's progress. For

example, if your child forgets homework assignments often, you might request

in your weekly status call or e-mail that the teacher makes sure your child

copies assignments down correctly each day. Also, a note, call or e-mail

from the teacher could alert you when assignments are not handed in.

Choose the medication that's right for your child - You may just be thinking

about medication options for the first time, or maybe your child is already

on a medication for ADHD. Whatever your current situation, ask your child's

doctor if once-daily CONCERTA, available by prescription, could be right for

your child. Unlike some medications for ADHD that require multiple doses

throughout the day, one morning dose of CONCERTA provides symptom management

through 12 hours, eliminating the potential embarrassment of your child

medicating at school or missing doses altogether. If your child's doctor

prescribes CONCERTA, he or she will prescribe a starting dose. If needed,

the doctor may periodically increase this dose until symptoms are

effectively managed. This process is called titration. Be sure to work with

your child's doctor during this adjustment period.

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Make this school year count with CONCERTA

If left untreated, ADHD symptoms may interfere with a child's academic

progress and relationships. As a concerned parent, you might be interested

to know medical studies have shown that once-daily CONCERTA can help

children with ADHD improve focus both in and out of the classroom. For

instance, a study published in the journal of the American Academy of

Pediatrics concluded that children who took CONCERTA for their ADHD

performed better on math tests, demonstrated improved interaction with peers

throughout the day and were able to remain focused even after school. This

could mean your child might experience improved focus on schoolwork and

develop better relationships with friends both during the school day and at

home.

Children in the study were rated on a number of variables, including:

Classroom Recreation

Completing assigned work Social interaction

Performing work accurately Participating in group activities

Remaining focused Following rules

Following rules Negative or disruptive behavior

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A few small steps might make a big difference in your child's ADHD symptoms

Here are some ideas for you and your support team to try:

Establish daily checklists or " to-do " lists and have members of your team go

over them with your child

Ask if your child's seat can be moved to the front of the classroom to cut

down on distractions

Look into getting an extra set of textbooks - one set for school and one set

for home

Focus on your child's successes rather than problems and provide positive

reinforcement

Brainstorm more ideas with your support team to create the best learning

environment for your child

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Know your educational rights

Two laws ensure children with disabilities, including ADHD, receive an

appropriate education - Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Click here to learn

more.

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Be sure to take advantage of our rebate offer for up to $25* on your

prescription of CONCERTA.

You can help your child see success with ADHD when you utilize the ideas and

information in this newsletter. For more helpful resources - such as tips,

downloadable tools and informative videos about ADHD - visit concerta.net.

Sincerely,

The Makers of CONCERTA

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Talk to your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment of ADHD. Only a

doctor can decide whether medication is right for you or your child.

CONCERTA should not be taken by patients with: significant anxiety, tension,

or agitation; allergies to methylphenidate or other ingredients in CONCERTA;

glaucoma; Tourette's syndrome, tics, or family history of Tourette's

syndrome. Abuse of methylphenidate may lead to dependence.

Tell your healthcare professional if your child has had problems with

alcohol or drugs, has had depression, abnormal thoughts or visions, bipolar

disorder, seizures, high blood pressure or has had any heart problems or

defects. If your child develops abnormal thinking or hallucinations,

abnormal, extreme moods, and/or excessive activity, or if aggressive

behavior or hostility develops or worsens while taking CONCERTA, consult

your healthcare professional.

The most common adverse events reported in children receiving up to 54 mg

were headache, upper respiratory tract infection and abdominal pain. The

most common adverse events reported in adolescents receiving up to 72 mg

were headache, accidental injury and insomnia.

Please see Medication Guide.

*If you would like to receive a rebate for up to $25.00 from the Makers of

CONCERTA for your next prescription, click here.

CONCERTA® is a registered trademark of ALZA Corporation.

Please do not reply to this e-mail. We will be unable to respond to your

request. If you have questions or would like additional information, please

call 1.888.440.7903.

© McNeil Pediatrics, a Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc. 2007.

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