Mega Doctor News
Despite the extensive and enduring impact it can have on several aspects of an individual’s life, including education, employment, relationships and overall quality of life, there’s still a pervasive stigma surrounding attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the United States, leading to detrimental delays in the diagnosis and treatment of the medical condition.
“The symptoms of ADHD, like inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, can look like intentional misbehavior or alack of discipline, which leads people to confuse ADHD with a spoiled child, further perpetuating misconceptionsabout the neurodevelopmental disorder that reinforce the stigma and lead to a reluctance to seek treatment,” says Robert Mosqueda, MD, a child psychiatrist with the South Texas Health System Clinics Mental Wellbeing Clinic.“Through education about ADHD’s medical basis, we can break down the barriers to people seeking diagnosis and treatment.”
In the United States, ADHD affects about 7.1 million children between the ages of 5-17, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, with nearly half of all cases exhibiting severe impairment and ADHD more frequently diagnosed in boys than girls.
“ADHD impacts a child’s emotions, behaviors and ability to learn new things, with the chronic conditions varying from person to person,” says Dr. Mosqueda. “The medical condition is divided into three main types. Inattentive ADHD refers to difficulty staying concentrated and organized, while hyperactive-impulsive ADHD refers to difficulty slowing down, staying still or not talking. Combined ADHD, meantime, is when you experience symptoms of both kinds.”
Early treatment of ADHD is vital to help improve a child’s focus, behavior and social skills, which leads to better academic performance and a stronger self-image.
Untreated ADHD, on the other hand, can significantly impact a child’s life beyond educational, social and emotional challenges. It can affect relationships, increase the likelihood of accidents and lead to a greater risk of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety and substance use disorder.
“Intervention at an early age allows children to learn and practice positive habits and effective coping skills before negative patterns become ingrained, leading to improved long-term outcomes and a better overall quality of life,” says Dr. Mosqueda. “So, it’s important to recognize symptoms early and provide intensive intervention.”
To help educate Rio Grande Valley parents, caregivers and community members on ADHD in children and the long-term impact on their quality of life if left untreated, South Texas Health System will dedicate the latest episode of itsmonthly “South Texas Healthy Living” television program to the neurodevelopmental disorder.
Broadcast live on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. on KVEO-TV NBC 23, the program will feature a sit-down interview with Dr. Mosqueda on the early warning signs and symptoms of ADHD, the impairments associated with the disorder and the treatment options available for children living with ADHD to help improve their ability to focus, complete tasks and control impulsive behaviors, which can lead to better academic and social outcomes.
Additionally, STHS System Director of Marketing & Public Relations and “South Texas Healthy Living” host Tom Castañeda sits down with a Mission mother of three who didn’t believe her middle child’s inability to focus was due to ADHD, even after it was pointed out by an occupational therapist, until a school assessment nearly two years later. She opens up about monitoring her daughter’s response to various ADHD medications, before identifying the one that worked best, and shares advice for other parents and caregivers on helping a child with ADHD thrive.
The program will also feature a special cooking segment led by Patrick Woodin, South Texas Health System McAllen’s director of dietary & nutrition services, a demonstration of beneficial exercises that can improve symptoms of ADHD and enhance overall brain health with a member of the STHS McAllen Rehabilitation Services team and important strategies for parenting a child with ADHD.
“Beyond collaborating with your healthcare providers to determine which medication is most suitable for your child and whether they’d benefit from behavior therapy, you can take simple steps at home, like prioritizing sleep, diet and exercise, to create a supportive environment that will help your child flourish,” says Castañeda. “From creating structure with consistent routines, minimizing distractions to using clear concise, instructions and focusing on positive reinforcement, there are steps parents can take to effectively parent a child with ADHD,” says Castañeda. So, in this latest episode of ‘South Texas Healthy Living,’ we’ll provide essential education and simple strategies to help parents understand and support their children with ADHD while fostering a positive and effective environment for growth. It’s all about helping families get healthy and stay healthy!”
To better understand ADHD in children and help break the stigma surrounding the neurodevelopmental disorder,don’t miss the latest episode of “South Texas Healthy Living” on Sunday, August 31 at 9:00 a.m. on KVEO-TV NBC 23.
To watch previous episodes of “South Texas Healthy Living” and the system’s South Texas Health Updates, one minute videos offering education on various health issues, visit South Texas Health System’s Medical Minute page on ValleyCentral.com.
