The Most Common Treatment Options for ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is commonly diagnosed in childhood and often lasts into adulthood. People with ADHD have trouble paying attention, controlling impulsive actions, and are overly active.

These symptoms usually improve with age; however, many adults who were diagnosed at a young age continue to experience problems.

• Getting help

  It’s completely normal for children to go through phases where they’re restless or inattentive. But if you are concerned that your child’s behavior may be too different from most children their age, it is best to raise your concerns with a mental health professional, like a psychologist or psychiatrist, or a pediatrician in Greenbelt.

• Diagnosis

  Deciding if a child has ADHD requires a series of medical assessments. One step of the process involves conducting several medical exams, such as hearing and vision tests. The process also requires gathering information from different sources when assessing your child’s behavior. Your doctor may ask you, your child’s teacher, or caregiver to complete a checklist about your child’s behavior.

• Treatment recommendations

  Once your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, here are the three most common treatment options that your pediatrician in Maryland may recommend.

  1. Behavior therapy

     The goal of behavior therapy is to strengthen positive behaviors by creating a system of rewards. Children younger than 6 years of age are advised to undergo this treatment before trying medication. This is because behavior therapy also gives parents the skills to help their child manage their ADHD.

  2. Medication

     Stimulants and nonstimulants are the primary medication used to treat ADHD. Stimulants are widely prescribed medication for people with ADHD. Meanwhile, nonstimulants last up to 34 hours, and it was approved for the treatment of ADHD in 2003.

     These medications affect children differently, so make sure to consult with your doctor to find the prescription that works best for your child.

  3. Parent coaching

     Parenting skills training gives you the skills needed to support your child. You can enroll in an education program that aims to teach you the techniques needed to effectively talk, play, and work with your child. These training programs also help parents improve their relationship with their children.

Looking for a qualified pediatric group to guide you in managing your child’s special needs?

Here at Edge Pediatrics, we aim to be one of the most reliable providers of pediatrics in Greenbelt, Maryland. As such, we give every child the best pediatric experience possible through our comprehensive, individualized and advanced healthcare services. Get in touch with us for more details about our services.