
Encourage your child to put schoolbags, clothing, and toys in the same place every day so that they will be less likely to lose them. Try to follow the same schedule every day, from wake-up time to bedtime. The following are suggestions that may help with your child’s behavior: It is important for parents to work with their child’s healthcare providers to find the medication that works best for their child. The AAP recommends that healthcare providers observe and adjust the dose of medication to find the right balance between benefits and side effects. Healthcare providers who prescribe medication may need to try different medications and doses. One child may respond well to one medication, but not to another. Medications can affect children differently and can have side effects such as decreased appetite or sleep problems. They do not work as quickly as stimulants, but their effect can last up to 24 hours. Nonstimulants were approved for the treatment of ADHD in 2003.Between 70-80% of children with ADHD have fewer ADHD symptoms when taking these fast-acting medications. Stimulants are the best-known and most widely used ADHD medications.Several different types of medications are FDA-approved to treat ADHD in children as young as 6 years of age : Medication can help children manage their ADHD symptoms in their everyday life and can help them control the behaviors that cause difficulties with family, friends, and at school. The long-term effects of ADHD medications on young children have not been well-studied.Young children have more side effects from ADHD medications than older children.Parent training in behavior management has been shown to work as well as medication for ADHD in young children.Parent training in behavior management gives parents the skills and strategies to help their child.Children younger than 6 years of ageįor young children with ADHD, behavior therapy is an important first step before trying medication because: For children who attend early childhood programs, it is usually most effective if parents and educators work together to help the child.

These approaches can also be used together.

AAP recommendations also include adding behavioral classroom intervention and school supports. Schools can be part of the treatment as well. For children 6 years of age and older, the recommendations include medication and behavior therapy together - parent training in behavior management for children up to age 12 and other types of behavior therapy and training for adolescents. Behavior therapy, including training for parents andįor children with ADHD younger than 6 years of age, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parent training in behavior management as the first line of treatment, before medication is tried.To find the best options, it is recommended that parents work closely with others involved in their child’s life-healthcare providers, therapists, teachers, coaches, and other family members. There are many treatment options, and what works best can depend on the individual child and family. ADHD can be managed with the right treatment. When a child is diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), parents often have concerns about which treatment is right for their child. Get information and support from the National Resource Center on ADHD My Child Has Been Diagnosed with ADHD – Now What?
