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ADHD: Understanding Options for Kids with a CHD

Ages 5 - 24 Years

Does your child with a congenital heart defect (CHD) struggle to pay attention? Are they easily distracted? Do they often seem lost in their own world? Is your child constantly moving? Do they seem to have endless energy? Do they often act without thinking? Many young people with heart defects have challenges with controlling their attention and activity. This set of videos will help you understand attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and ways to support and nurture your child.

40 min video

In this section

ADHD and heart defects Thinking and understanding with ADHD Medical management of ADHD ADHD alongside other challenges Rates of ADHD in the community ADHD in young children ADHD and social skills ADHD and exercise ADHD, rewards, and reinforcement You might also like:

ADHD and heart defects

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common condition in both children and adults. Kids with heart defects are even more likely to have ADHD than other kids. When someone has ADHD, they have trouble controlling their attention. This means they can have trouble:

starting to pay attention to something on purpose (initiation)
continuing to pay attention to something even if it gets boring (persistence)
switching attention from one thing to another (shifting set)

When ADHD is not managed or treated, young people can run into problems both in and out of school. However, with appropriate interventions, young people with ADHD can thrive.

These videos describe new understandings of ADHD, and how to use this knowledge to help your child at home. Families should always consult with a cardiologist before considering adding or changing medication for someone with a heart defect.

Local families with a heart defect can seek help for ADHD from Boston's Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program. Families from other regions can click below to find local care.

Thinking and understanding with ADHD

Drs. Anne Arnett and Virginia Peisch explain how to understand the way children with ADHD think and understand..

Medical management of ADHD

Dr. Arnett, Peisch, and Harstad explain how stimulant medication can help some children with ADHD. Families should always consult with a cardiologist before beginning stimulant medication in a child with a CHD.

ADHD alongside other challenges

Drs. Arnett and Peisch describe how ADHD can occur with other developmental disorders.

Rates of ADHD in the community

Drs. Arnett and Peisch discuss research about the prevalence of ADHD in the community.

ADHD in young children

Drs. Arnett and Peisch talk about ADHD in young children.

ADHD and exercise

Drs. Arnett and Peisch talk about the role of exercise in ADHD. Please note that children with CHDs should check with a cardiologist before starting an exercise regimen.

ADHD, rewards, and reinforcement

Drs. Arnett and Peisch discuss how rewards and reinforcement play a role in the behavioral management of symptoms of ADHD.

Developmental care is best when it is local. Families local to Boston can receive care from the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Program (CNP). Families from other regions can use the link below to find their local care team.

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