Our research teams are unlocking the secrets of the developing brain and speeding the pace of discovery through open science and data-sharing initiatives.
If you choose to put your child on medication, that doesn't mean he or she has to stay on it forever.
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Our research teams are unlocking the secrets of the developing brain and speeding the pace of discovery through open science and data-sharing initiatives.
If you choose to put your child on medication, that doesn't mean he or she has to stay on it forever.
When it comes to treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) a lot of kids are getting the meds they needbut they may be missing out on other treatments. Despite clinical guidelines that urge that behavioral therapy always be used alongside medication, less than half of the children with ADHD received therapy as part of treatment in 2009 and 2010, according to the first nationally representative study of ADHD treatment in U.S. children.
Each person considering medication treatment for ADHD should first have a careful, comprehensive assessment to clarify the diagnosis, identify other medical, psychological or learning problems that may be present with ADHD, and learn about ADHD. After the diagnosis has been made, a treatment plan should be developed in consultation with the physician or other medical professional. In this planning session, the patient, family and medical professional can work together to consider the various options for treatment. If medication is going to be used, the medical professional will prescribe a specific medication.
What are the implications of this new research for how we think about and treat kids with A.D.H.D.? Of course, I am not suggesting that we take our kids out of school and head for the savanna. Nor am I saying we that should not use stimulant medications like Adderall and Ritalin, which are safe and effective and very helpful to many kids with A.D.H.D.
New clothes and notebooks and talk about favorite friends and tough teachers have made their way into American homes amid the exuberance and anxiety of a new school year. But for the millions of parents whose children struggle with attention deficity hyperactivity disorder, the back-to-school swirl of activity is tinged with another worry: whether behavioral challenges will stand in the way of their child's ability to learn and succeed.
There are also concerns that there may be a risk of suicidal thinking in children, adolescents, and young adults using nonstimulants like atomoxetine or antidepressants for ADHD. In fact, a boxed warning exists for this issue. It is important to monitor your child for changes in mood or signs of depression or suicide, and discuss these issues with your doctor.
Behavioral therapy, also known as behavior management, is shown to have positive results on ADHD children. The goal of behavior therapy in ADHD children is to increase the desired behaviors. This is typically achieved through using positive reinforcements when the child acts appropriately. The first step of therapy is typically to improve the relationship between the child and the parents. This is coupled with providing negative consequences and positive reinforcements to help the child increase his or her interest in pleasing the parents.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the outlook for most children who receive treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is encouraging. There is no specific cure for ADHD, but there are many treatment options available. Each child's treatment must be tailored to meet his individual needs.
Behavioral interventions might help families of children with hyperactive/impulsive behaviors that do not meet full diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Guidance regarding the diagnosis of problem-level concerns in children based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care (DSM-PC), Child and Adolescent Version, 3 as well as suggestions for treatment and care of children and families with problem-level concerns, are provided here. The current DSM-PC was published in 1996 and, therefore, is not consistent with intervening changes to International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM). Although this version of the DSM-PC should not be used as a definitive source for diagnostic codes related to ADHD and comorbid conditions, it certainly may continue to be used as a resource for enriching the understanding of ADHD manifestations. The DSM-PC will be revised when both the DSM-V and ICD-10 are available for use.
This group met over a 2-year period, during which it reviewed the changes in practice that have occurred and issues that have been identified since the previous guidelines were published. Delay in completing the process led to further conference calls and extended the years of literature reviewed in order to remain as current as possible. The AAP funded the development of this guideline; potential financial conflicts of the participants were identified and taken into consideration in the deliberations. The guideline will be reviewed and/or revised in 5 years unless new evidence emerges that warrants revision sooner.
