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ADHD in School: The Importance of Communication

Summary & Participants

For children with ADHD, school behavior and academic success are important measures of how well treatment is working. Join Dr. Peter Jensen as he discusses how you and your child's doctor can keep track of what's going on in school and how teachers can help.

Medically Reviewed On: July 14, 2008

Webcast Transcript

PETER JENSEN, MD: The teachers generally are cooperative, because they have the best interests of the child's learning abilities at heart and in mind. And so they're very pleased if the child can become a more effective learner. So by and large, that's the case.

There are some instances, however, where the teacher may be less aware of the problems of the child with ADHD may have. May not understand or fully even believe in the diagnosis or have feelings and attitudes about the various treatments. Sometimes an uninformed teacher might assume it's the parents' fault. And these can cause real problems.

Now, when that happens, some of the things a parent can do is to share information. Perhaps a pamphlet or a brochure with the teacher. Sometimes it's important to have a quiet consultation with the lead teacher or maybe the principal, to see if there's some other way that the problems can be addressed. Sometimes the doctor can call the teacher.

LISA CLARK: What sort of information are you looking for from parents?

PETER JENSEN, MD: Well, several things parents need to be aware of. First, they have to know how the child's doing on in-seat assignments, playground behavior, getting along with other children. Is he or she liked, do they have good friends?

But in addition, how's the child doing with homework kinds of behavior? Some of the behaviors that often take place later in the day. Getting along with siblings, minding the parents. These are all important things for the parent to communicate to the doctor.

LISA CLARK: Do you think that more frequent visits are a good idea?

PETER JENSEN, MD: More frequent visits are a very good idea. During the school year, because of the child's difficulties adjusting to the various demands of school -- he or she may show problems in one area or another. And the doctor has to adjust his or her treatments. Whether it be the medicine or the therapy.

Seeing the child only every six months is really not sufficient. And we think that when you see the child monthly -- or relatively often -- actually children's outcomes are much better, because the doctor's really right on top of what needs to be done on a regular basis.

LISA CLARK: Should parents request more parent-teacher conferences in this case?

PETER JENSEN, MD: I think it's an excellent idea. If not an in-face parent-teacher conference, then certainly phone follow-up. Because the teacher may be too busy to report moderate problems when she's dealing with severe problems. And so if the child is having moderate problems, and the parent wants to be on top of that -- to let the doctor know and to work with the child -- they have to be in direct communication themselves with the teacher.

LISA CLARK: Finally, doctor, if you had one message about the importance of the parent-pediatrician partnership, what would that be?

PETER JENSEN, MD: Parents need to remember they're part of a team. They have to feel they're a part of a team. They have to assert their rights as a good team member. And the doctor's not the team captain, they're the doctor's a team player. And so should the parent be. And that means they really have to work and cooperate together.

If you have concerns, questions, you have to share them with your doctor. If you have misgivings about the treatment, you're on the team, don't just stop the treatment, discuss with the other team member. And work together. And that's really the right way to do it.

If you have trouble getting a doctor to be a teammate -- a team member, sometimes that even happens, you need to find another doctor.

LISA CLARK: Dr. Jensen, very good advice. Thank you so much. And thank you for joining us for this webcast. I'm Lisa Clark.

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