If you choose to use medication to treat ADHD, it is just as important to talk about what you expect medication to do. Adolescents need to understand medication does not cure ADHD and it is still important to use behavioral strategies. Talk about how you can measure the affects of medication so that together you can decide if it is working. You may want to review: How Do I Know if a Treatment is Working? together.

For teens who may have a more difficult time talking about ADHD or are resentful or angry, you may want to consider counseling for a short period of time to help him or her adjust to the diagnosis and accept treatment.

Talking with your child is not a one-time discussion. This should be ongoing. Parents can help children to understand ADHD is a medical diagnosis. Children should not believe they are lazy or stupid, but instead understand why ADHD may sometimes make them feel that way. As your child grows up, his or her questions will continue to change, keeping up the discussion will help you continue to develop understanding according to their age level.

That also means you should continually strive to learn about ADHD. Read books or the articles here on ADHDCentral.com. Keep up with new information so you can continue to help your child learn and understand. Keep in mind, if your child has ADHD, there is a good chance either you or your spouse has ADHD too. If you believe one of you have ADHD, talk with your child about this, letting him or her know ADHD is nothing to be ashamed of. Your positive actions and attitude toward ADHD will help your child feel positive toward it as well.