Podcast

What are the treatment options for ADHD?

Monday, December 1, 2008

If you suspect your child, or a child in your life suffers with ADHD, treatment is very likely a priority for you. Questions about treatment need to be answered by each family in consultation with their health care professional. For children with ADHD, no single treatment is the answer for every child. Each child’s needs and personal history must be carefully considered.

Only the parents, with the help of medical specialists, can determine if medication is appropriate for their child. Consideration should be given to possible side effects of the medication as well as the benefits to the child. Some people get better results with one medication, some from another. It is important to work with the prescribing physician to find the right medication and the right dosage. After careful consideration of the child’s symptoms and medical history, the doctor may prescribe medication. Remember: Medications for ADHD help many children focus and be more successful in school, home and play. Avoiding negative experiences now may actually help prevent addictions and other emotional problems later.

Mental health professionals can help the child and the family develop new skills, attitudes, and ways of relating to each other. The therapist may help the child to identify and build on his or her strengths, cope with daily problems and control his or her attention and aggression. The therapist may assist the family in finding ways to handle disruptive behaviors and to promote change. This can include behavior plans and social skills training.

Many children, including those who have ADHD, benefit from organized surroundings and daily routines. Routines give children tools that help them to stay on track without needing continual reminders from teachers and parents.

Daily routines:

  • As much as possible, have the same routine every day.
  • Create a simple daily schedule and post it where the child can see it and check it during the day including blocks of free time, mealtimes, homework time and recreation/play.
  • When the schedule needs to change, post the changed schedule as far in advance as you can.

Organize everyday items:

  • Make a place for items you use often.
  • Encourage the habit of keeping things put away so your child can find things more easily.

Use homework and notebook organizers:

  • If your child does not use planners, make one and teach your child how to use it.
  • Stress the importance of writing down assignments and books that will be needed.
  • Check the planner/homework list daily.
  • Assign a place at home to keep school materials and to do homework.

If your child is having difficulties at school that lead you to suspect that he or she has ADHD, you can ask the local school district for assistance. Your child’s teacher should be able to help you find out who in the school system you should contact for assistance. If your child has been diagnosed and treated for ADHD with either behavior modification or medication or both, it is important to let his or her teachers know. They will be better prepared to help your child if they have that information.

Parents, children, teachers, and doctors should work together as members of a team. With the right care, children with ADHD are able to pay attention, control their behavior, and slow their fast pace and grow, learn and develop better than before. Your child is not alone in needing help. It is estimated that between three and five percent of children have ADHD, or approximately two million children in the United States. This means out of a classroom of 25 to 30 children, it is likely that at least one will have ADHD.

The resources used for this podcast are the publications “Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder” and “A Look at Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)” from the National Institute for Mental Health. These publications include a list of books, checklists, web sites and support organizations that might be of assistance to you. They are available on-line at this website: www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd/complete-publication.shtml

Each of the Area Education Agencies has a program called the Parent-Educator Connection that provides valuable services to parents and teachers. One of the resources available through the Parent-Educator Connection is a lending library with information on a variety of topics, including ADHD. Contact your local Area Education Agency to learn more.