With proper treatment, children with ADHD can thrive in a typical school environment.
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is a recognized disability, and according to the CDC, 4.5 million children of school age are struggling with an ADHD diagnosis. Families facing a new diagnosis of ADHD are filled with questions about the best possible treatments for their children. The goal of ADHD treatment is to help the patient control the symptoms to function properly in everyday situations. ADHD treatment plans typically involve a combination of medication and behavioral therapy, although controversial alternative treatments do exist.
Medication
One of the first types of treatment for ADHD is medication. Medication does not control the behavior, but rather improves the symptoms of ADHD so that children can focus and control their behavior more effectively.
Psychostimulant medications are the most commonly prescribed medications for patients with ADHD. According to CHADD, a major advocacy group for ADHD patients, these medications do not stimulate the body, but rather help communication between nerve cells in the brain. Statistics show that 70 percent to 80 percent of children with the condition will respond to these medications. Common psychostimulants include Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta, Dexedrine and Metadate, among others.
Nonstimulant medications can also used to control ADHD symptoms. Some patients respond positively to antidepressants, even though they are not depressed. Strattera, a medication approved in 2002, is another nonstimulant option. Some parents of ADHD children prefer it because it is not a controlled substance like antidepressants and stimulant medications, which means getting a refilled prescription or sample medication is much easier.
Regardless of the type of medication chosen, each patient must be monitored closely to determine the correct dosage and the timing of the dosage. The period of time when a patient is adjusting to a new medication can be challenging, because it may take the parents and the doctor time to find the right dosage. For most patients, once the correct dose and timing have been found, medication is effective. Possible side effects include a brief period of extreme irritability, fatigue or activity when the medication starts to wear off. Headache or stomachache when introducing a new medication can occur, but this is usually temporary.
Behavioral Therapy
The second part of most ADHD treatment plans is behavior therapy. This involves teaching the patient and the parents ways to cope with the ADHD behaviors, such as inability to concentrate or perpetual disorganization. Improving organizational skills, for instance, can help kids with ADHD be better able to find important items, like their homework. Behavior therapy also focuses on providing positive reinforcement for good behaviors and minimizing negative reinforcement for behaviors that occur because of the child's disability.
A good behavior therapy plan requires the cooperation between the patient's parents, teachers and therapists. They all must be on the same page when it comes to helping the child cope with everyday environments in a more satisfactory manner. A behavior therapy plan should not be created without the help of a qualified therapist or counselor who is experienced in dealing with ADHD patients.
Alternative Treatments
According to the Attention Deficit Disorder Association, medication and behavioral therapy are the only two recognized treatments for ADHD. However, some families dealing with the condition have reported relief from alternative treatments. A natural diet that is free of artificial colors is sometimes seen to help with symptoms. Others have turned to biofeedback through acupuncturists or chiropractors for relief. Megavitamins and nutritional supplements are yet another popular alternative treatment option.
None of these treatments have yet had studies done to prove that they work, and CHADD cautions parents about pursuing them without carefully learning all they can about potential risks. For instance, too much of certain vitamins can be harmful or even fatal to children. While these alternative treatments may help, they should be pursued under a doctor's oversight, and only with careful research beforehand.
Tags: with ADHD, ADHD treatment, ADHD patients, ADHD treatment plans, alternative treatments, Attention Deficit, behavior therapy