Treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
The treatment of ADHD often requires several interventions in your child’s environments in order to improve the ability to function. Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other organizations encourage doctors to work as a team with family and school or work personnel. Together, you can set realistic treatment and performance goals and evaluate your child’s response in every area of activity.
Properly selected and closely administered medications have generated life-changing results in children with ADHD. However, there are many issues to consider when you begin drug treatment. Issues include the difficulty of diagnosing accurately, the ability and willingness to adhere to a strict treatment and medication regimen, and the addicting potential of some of the medications. Medications are usually beneficial and well tolerated. However, it is also important to use behavioral and lifestyle interventions.
Typical treatment involves the following:
REFERENCES:
ADHD resource center. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry website. Available at: http://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resource_Centers/ADHD_Resource_Center/Home.aspx. Updated May 2017. Accessed October 4, 2017.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T231898/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-ADHD-in-adults. Updated December 27, 2016. Accessed October 4, 2017.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113926/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-ADHD-in-children-and-adolescents. Updated May 23, 2017. Accessed October 4, 2017.
Mikami AY, Cox DJ, Davis MT, et al. Sex differences in effectiveness of extended-release stimulant medication among adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Clin Psychol Med Settings. 2009;16(3):233-242.
Understanding ADHD: Information for parents. Healthy Children—American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Understanding-ADHD.aspx. Updated January 9, 2017. Accessed October 4, 2017.
What is ADHD? Kids Health—Nemours Foundation website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/adhd.html. Updated July 2014. Accessed October 4, 2017.
Last reviewed September 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrian Preda, MD Last Updated: 10/23/2020