My child has been diagnose with ADHD. What Now?

When a child is diagnose with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), parents often have concerns about which treatment is suitable for their child. ADHD can be control by utilizing the appropriate treatment. Various treatments are available, and the child and the family will determine the best treatment. To determine the most effective treatment options, it is suggest that parents collaborate closely with other people associate with their child’s development, including healthcare specialists, teachers, therapists, coaches and other family members.

Treatment options for ADHD include

• Behavior therapy, such as training for parents, as well as
• Medications.

Treatment suggestions for ADHD

Suppose you have children with ADHD under six years old. In that case, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends training parents on behavior management as the initial treatment option before medication use. For children six years old or older, The recommendations are treatment with medication and behavioral therapy with training for parents in behavior management for children from birth to age 12, as well as other forms of therapy and training for teenagers. Schools could be a part of the treatment, too. AAP suggestions also suggest adding behavioral intervention in classrooms and school support. Find out more about how schools can play a role in the treatment.

The best treatment plans include constantly monitoring how effective the treatment is in improving the child’s behavior and taking steps to make changes as need. For more information on AAP recommendations for treating children who have ADHD, 

Behavior Therapy, Including Training for Parents

ADHD can affect children’s ability to focus or stay focus in school, but it also impacts relations with family members or other youngsters. Children who have ADHD typically exhibit behavior which can be disruptive to other children. The treatment for ADHD is call behavior therapy. It’s an option to help decrease disruptive behavior. It is generally recommend to begin the therapy process immediately after the diagnosis is establish.

The main goals of behavioural therapy are to help you develop or reinforce positive behaviour and to eliminate undesirable or problematic behaviour. Therapy for behaviour disorders for ADHD may comprise

• Training for parents in the area of behaviour management
• Therapy for children’s behavior and
• Behaviour interventions within the school.

The approaches mention above can also be utilize in conjunction. If children are in preschool classes, it’s typically the most efficient if educators and parents work together to assist the child.

Children under six years old

For children who are young and have ADHD, the use of behaviour therapy is an essential first step before trying medications because of the following:

• Training for parents in behaviour management provides parents with the tools and strategies to support their children.
• Training for parents in behaviour management has been proven to work with medications for ADHD in infants and children.
• Young children suffer more adverse reactions to ADHD medications than older children.
• The long-term consequences of ADHD medication on children in the early years haven’t been study thoroughly.

Adolescents and children of school-age

AAP recommends combining medication treatment with behavioral therapy for children six years old or older. Different types of behavioral therapies can be effective, including:

• Parent training for behavior management;
• In the classroom, behavioural interventions;
• Peer interventions focusing on behaviour and
• Skills training for organizational management.

They are more effective when utilize with the specific needs of each child and their family.

Medications

Medication can aid children in managing ADHD symptoms in their daily lives and help manage the behaviour that causes problems with their family, friends, and at school.

Different types of medication are FDA-approve for treating ADHD for children from 6 years old:

• The stimulants are among the most well-known and most commonly utilize ADHD medications. About 70-80% of children who have ADHD suffer from fewer ADHD symptoms when they are taking these drugs that work fast.
• Non-stimulants were approve as a treatment for ADHD in 2003. They don’t work as rapidly as stimulants; however, their effects last for as long as 24 hours.

Children react differently to medications and have adverse effects like decrease appetite or sleeping problems. Some children may react well to a particular medication but not to another.

Health professionals who prescribe medications may require a variety of dosages and medicines. The AAP suggests that healthcare professionals be aware of and adjust the medication dosage to determine the appropriate balance between benefits and adverse consequences. Parents must collaborate with their child’s healthcare professionals to determine which medication will work best for their child.

Parent Education and Support

CDC funds the National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC), a program for Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). The NRC provides parents with information, resources and guidance to aid their child.

Tips for Parents

These are suggestions to help your child’s behaviour

• Set up a schedule. Try to follow the same routine every day, from when you wake up until bedtime.
• Get your life organize. Please encourage your child to keep clothing, school bags, and toys at the exact location daily to ensure they are less likely to misplace them.
• Control the distractions. Turn off the TV, reduce noise and ensure a tidy workspace while your child works on homework. Children who have ADHD can learn best when they are active or listening to music in the background. Check your child’s behaviour and observe what is working for them.
• Limit the choices. To help your child not be overwhelm or overstimulate, provide the child with a limit number of alternatives. For instance, they could select between this dress or the other and this meal or another or this toy or this one.
• Be precise and clear when speaking to the child. Let your child know that you’re listening by explaining the words they spoke to you. Give clear, concise instructions whenever they are require to do something.
• Aid your child in planning. Reduce complex tasks into shorter, more manageable steps. For lengthy tasks, beginning early and stopping to take breaks can reduce stress.
• Utilize goals, rewards or praise. Use a chart to record goals and monitor positive behaviour. Then, inform your child that they’ve succeed by letting them know or rewarding them differently. Make sure that the objectives are achievable. Even small actions are essential!
• Conduct yourself with discipline effectively. Instead of scolding or shouting, make use of efficient instructions, time-outs or the removal from privileges as punishments for behaviour that is not appropriate.
• Create opportunities for positive change. Children with ADHD might find some situations to be stressful. Learning about and encouraging the things your child excels at–whether it’s sports, school or music, art or play can help to bring positive experiences to your child.
• Create a healthy and balance way of life. Healthy food choices, plenty of exercise and adequate sleeping are vital to prevent ADHD symptoms from becoming worse.

ADHD in Adults

ADHD continues into adulthood for at minimum one-third of the children who suffer from ADHD Treatments for adults may include psychotherapy, medication, training or education, as well as a mix of therapies.