Spring 2008

Drugs Aren’t the Sole Answer for Children Who Have ADHD

Parents, doctors and teachers work together to fight ADHD

Let’s face it, we live in a fast-paced world and expect quick results. “Unfortunately, when it comes to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), there’s no magic pill or cure,” says Rebecca A. Hazen, PhD, psychologist at Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital. “In fact, medication is only one part of an ADHD treatment plan, which often includes therapy and certain adjustments at school or in class.”

That’s not to say prescription medications don’t have a place in treating ADHD. In fact, a landmark study released in 1999 showed the benefit of drugs. Compared to behavioral therapies alone, medication alone or in combination with behavior-focused methods may work better at easing the condition’s telltale symptoms. Difficulty paying attention, constant motion, excessive talking, wiggling, squirming, impulsivity and restlessness are common symptoms of ADHD.

“Drugs may help calm symptoms that hamper behavioral therapies; however, it’s important that medication be monitored closely,” says Dr. Hazen. “It can be a balancing act to get the right dosage.” Doctors and psychologists work with their patients who have ADHD (and the parents of those patients) to determine the appropriate balance.

The clinicians may be interested in knowing if the child has any other health problems and will work to prescribe the best medicine based on the child’s symptoms and circumstances. Even finding the best medicine can be a balancing act, and it might take a couple of trials before finding the medicine that works best.

The fact is that parents are a vital part of the solution to ADHD, she says. Dr. Hazen offers this advice if your child has the condition:

Ask your child’s doctor about training sessions that teach you how to encourage good behavior by praising it. You don’t want children to learn that bad behavior brings them attention.

Praise your child for doing something good. Don’t seek chances to tell your child to stop misbehaving.

Work with your child’s teachers. Your child may focus better if he or she sits near the teacher. Shorter assignments, for instance, also may help.

Ask your child’s teachers and doctor whether the child should be evaluated for learning and language problems. Such problems often go hand in hand with ADHD. You may need to work with the school to draw up an individual education plan.

Consider counseling for your child. The ADHD label can lessen kids’ self-esteem or make them see themselves as damaged in some way. Counseling helps convince children that they’re better than they think.