The Four Components of ADHD Treatment

When your child is five or six, you may have noticed that your child finds it nearly impossible to focus on a workbook for even a very short period, or you may notice that he is way more energetic than your friend’s kids. While your friend’s child sat quietly, drawing a picture, your child has managed to run around the house three times, get into an argument, and maybe use is "outdoor voice" a bit too much? Or, you may have noticed that he does not seem to be picking up the nuances of social interaction.

You might notice different sleeping patterns from your other children, or more conflicts around, well, everything?!

Your instincts might tell you, that this is more than just a "very energetic child" and since parents usually have the right instincts, your child is diagnosed with ADHD.

What now? What comes next?

Well, it depends on how severe his symptoms are, and if it affects all aspects (home, school, and social situations). If the symptoms are moderate, or severe (either: many symptoms are present beyond the number needed to make a diagnosis; several symptoms are particularly severe; or symptoms result in significant impact in social, school or work settings), then you should consider treatment.

The four top components of treatments for ADHD in children include:

• Medications

• Behavior therapy

• Parent guidance

• School programming and supports

It is important to understand what you might be facing, and explore strategies that can improve your and your child's quality of life.

It is also helpful to know that ADHD symptoms can significantly increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents for both teens and adults. Driving with ADHD presents unique challenges, such as maintaining focus and regulating impulses, which are key for road safety. Safety Tips for Those Driving With ADHD can be found in the following link: ADHD and Driving - shamiehlaw.com/adhd-and-driving/

General suggested reading and references include:

1. Barkley, R.A. (ed.) (2015.) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment (4th edition.) New York: Guilford Press.

2. Smith, B.H. & Shapiro, C.J. (2015). Combined treatments for ADHD in Barkley, R.A. (Ed), (2015).

3. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook For Diagnosis and Treatment (4th ed.), (pp. 686–704). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

4. Edward M. Hallowell, Peter S. Jensen (2010) Superparenting for ADD: An Innovative Approach to Raising Your Distracted Child

5. Ross W. Greene (2014) The explosive child: A new understanding and parenting easily frustrated, chronically inflexible children.