Given the genetic component of ADHD, there's a 50 percent chance that, if you or your spouse has adult ADHD, one or more of your children will have it. According to research by the NIH, mental health problems in parents can interfere with a child's treatment and recovery because treatments for children with ADHD rely heavily on parental support. In addition, parents of children with ADHD are three times more likely to separate or divorce as parents of children without the disorder.

Here are a few pointers that may help keep things sane when multiple family members have ADHD:

• Make sure the entire family is as informed as possible about ADHD. Attend meetings, seminars, and workshops together, and join support groups for families with ADHD for firsthand advice on how to handle specific situations.

• Be realistic. Instead of trying to conform to what you think is “normal” family life, embrace the many gifts that come with ADHD and find ways for individual family members to shine.

• Make sure everyone in the family who wants or needs professional help gets counseling, therapy, or coaching. Consider individual, family, and couples counseling to keep things running smoothly. Studies show that families cope best with ADHD when they use several different types of therapy.

• Be thoroughly acquainted with the many types of disability benefits, specialized instruction, technology, and financial resources at your disposal. This is especially important if you have children with ADHD heading to college.

• Laughter can be the best medicine. Don't be afraid to find the humor in snafus that arise at home. Finding the lighter side of things can help both parents and children have more patience, forgiveness, and flexibility when dealing with ADHD.