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ADHD Treatments
Clinical experience has shown that the most effective treatment for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a combination of therapy or counseling for the child to learn coping skills and adaptive behaviors, education of parents about the disorder and behavior modification training to handle the child's behavior, medication (when necessary), and educational accommodations for the child at school.
Medication is often used to help normalize brain activity, as prescribed by a physician. Stimulant medications are commonly used in treatment because they have been shown to be most effective for most people with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Other medications such as antidepressants and anti-hypertensives may also be used at the discretion of the physician. For a discussion of medications used in the treatment of ADHD, go to the Child Development Institute's Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medication Information.
A word about medications: It is important that Foster and Adoptive Parents understand the different kinds of medications given for ADHD. As a part of cost containment, generic medications are automatically given to those receiving services as a state ward. Be aware that some people have experienced the generic stimulants to be effective at first and their effectiveness seems to wane. Pharmacists will insist that the generics are exactly the same as the brand names, but many families using medications for treatment of ADHD have experienced widely varying differences.
In too many instances, there are reports of Foster Parents, Adoptive Parents and Biological Parents deciding that the child must not have ADHD because the medication is not working. The diagnosis and treatment may be correct, but the use of a generic medication that is not effective for that particular child may be the problem. Parents must constantly monitor behaviors and carefully watch how a child reacts to the medications prescribed. It is not uncommon for children with ADHD to have to change amounts of medication frequently as they grow. Several kinds of medication may need to be tried to find the best one for the child. Overrides for filling a specific brand name instead of a generic medication can be secured from the prescribing physician. Parents need to communicate with prescribing physicians often.
If the child is a positive responder to medication, many physicians are now prescribing medications to be used on the weekends and during summer vacations as well as during the school year. Dr. Jim Souterfield has conducted research on the social well being of children using medications for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and has found that they are more able to participate in classroom and extra curricular activities, have more friends, and have more social success than those who do not use the medications. The use of medication may be a quality of life issue for children with ADHD.
Posted July 22nd, 2007
Medication is often used to help normalize brain activity, as prescribed by a physician. Stimulant medications are commonly used in treatment because they have been shown to be most effective for most people with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Other medications such as antidepressants and anti-hypertensives may also be used at the discretion of the physician. For a discussion of medications used in the treatment of ADHD, go to the Child Development Institute's Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medication Information.
A word about medications: It is important that Foster and Adoptive Parents understand the different kinds of medications given for ADHD. As a part of cost containment, generic medications are automatically given to those receiving services as a state ward. Be aware that some people have experienced the generic stimulants to be effective at first and their effectiveness seems to wane. Pharmacists will insist that the generics are exactly the same as the brand names, but many families using medications for treatment of ADHD have experienced widely varying differences.
In too many instances, there are reports of Foster Parents, Adoptive Parents and Biological Parents deciding that the child must not have ADHD because the medication is not working. The diagnosis and treatment may be correct, but the use of a generic medication that is not effective for that particular child may be the problem. Parents must constantly monitor behaviors and carefully watch how a child reacts to the medications prescribed. It is not uncommon for children with ADHD to have to change amounts of medication frequently as they grow. Several kinds of medication may need to be tried to find the best one for the child. Overrides for filling a specific brand name instead of a generic medication can be secured from the prescribing physician. Parents need to communicate with prescribing physicians often.
If the child is a positive responder to medication, many physicians are now prescribing medications to be used on the weekends and during summer vacations as well as during the school year. Dr. Jim Souterfield has conducted research on the social well being of children using medications for ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and has found that they are more able to participate in classroom and extra curricular activities, have more friends, and have more social success than those who do not use the medications. The use of medication may be a quality of life issue for children with ADHD.
