Question | ADHD Information
We have an 11 year old daughter diagnosed with ADD. We have been doing the behavior mod. route, also tried medicine a year ago, but have never really told her she has ADD. We need to do this...how?At 11, I'd be prettty straightforward with her. We explained to our daughter what ADD was, how it effected her learning, etc. We also told her that it doesn't make her any better or worse than anyone else, just different. We explained that she takes meds (or supplements, or whatever treatment you are using) to help her to focus on schoolwork because her brain was working faster than others & she needed to slow down & be able to focus on the task at hand.
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Yes, I think being straightforward is the way to go. After all, it's not the end of the world. Everybody has some kind of issue to deal with, right? And point out some famous people or even friends and family that have it so she doesn't feel like an odd duck. There are also books out there for ADHD girls.
I'd let her know that it is NOTHING to be ashamed of. Its like having diabetes or another medical condition. Its a disorder (sorry, couldn't think of a good word 
), and with the proper treatment, whether meds or behavior med, it can be managed. Be sure she know that she didn't do anything wrong.
It may also help to tell her about some "famous" people who have ADD, or ADHD. Sometime kids will except things if they see that "popular, or famous people" have problems, too.
This is just a suggestion.hope it helps! 
There are books out there to help with explaining to kids. I myself am looking for my 6 year old. We also did try to explain it to her by saying "you know honey how you have a hard time in school concentrating?" and let her agree and then explain to her what she has and that is how it affects her and let her know that is how she was made and how wonderful and special she is. Although I am not sure she fully understands.