Diagnosis
In general, a child shouldn’t receive a diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder unless the core symptoms of ADHD start early in life — before age 12 — and create significant problems at home and at school on an ongoing basis.
There’s no specific test for ADHD, but making a diagnosis will likely include:
- Medical exam, to help rule out other possible causes of symptoms
- Information gathering, such as any current medical issues, personal and family medical history, and school records
- Interviews or questionnaires for family members, your child’s teachers or other people who know your child well, such as baby sitters and coaches
- ADHD criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5, published by the American Psychiatric Association
- ADHD rating scales to help collect and evaluate information about your child
Diagnosing ADHD in young children
Although signs of ADHD can sometimes appear in preschoolers or even younger children, diagnosing the disorder in very young children is difficult. That’s because developmental problems such as language delays can be mistaken for ADHD.
So children preschool age or younger suspected of having ADHD are more likely to need evaluation by a specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, speech pathologist, or developmental pediatrician.
Other conditions that resemble ADHD
A number of medical conditions or their treatments may cause signs and symptoms similar to those of ADHD. Examples include:
- Learning or language problems
- Mood disorders such as depression or anxiety
- Other psychiatric disorders
- Seizure disorders
- Vision or hearing problems
- Tourette syndrome
- Medical problems that affect thinking or behavior
- Sleep disorders
- Thyroid problems
- Substance abuse
- Brain injury
Treatment
Standard treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children include medications, education, training and counseling. These treatments can relieve many of the symptoms of ADHD, but they don’t cure it. It may take some time to determine what works best for your child.
Stimulant medications
Currently, stimulant drugs (psychostimulants) are the most commonly prescribed medications for ADHD. Stimulants appear to boost and balance levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These medications help improve the signs and symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity — sometimes effectively in a short period of time.
Examples include:
- Amphetamines. These include dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), dextroamphetamine-amphetamine (Adderall) and lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse).
- Methylphenidates. These include methylphenidate (Concerta, Metadate, Ritalin, others) and dexmethylphenidate (Focalin)
Stimulant drugs are available in short-acting and long-acting forms. A long-acting patch of methylphenidate (Daytrana) is available that can be worn on the hip.
The right dose varies from child to child, so it may take some time to find the correct dose. And the dose may need to be adjusted if significant side effects occur or as your child matures. Ask your doctor about possible side effects of stimulants.
Stimulant medications and heart problems
Although rare, several heart-related deaths have occurred in children and teenagers taking stimulant medications. The possibility of increased risk of sudden death is still unproved, but if it exists, it’s believed to be in people who already have underlying heart disease or a heart defect.
Your child’s doctor should make sure your child doesn’t have any signs of a heart condition and should ask about family risk factors for heart disease before prescribing a stimulant medication.
Other medications
Other medications that may be effective in treating ADHD include:
- Atomoxetine (Strattera)
- Antidepressants such as bupropion (Wellbutrin, others)
- Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex)
- Clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay)
Atomoxetine and antidepressants work slower than stimulants do and may take several weeks before they take full effect. These may be good options if your child can’t take stimulants because of health problems or if stimulants cause severe side effects.
Ask your doctor about possible side effects of any medications.
Suicide risk
Although it remains unproved, concerns have been raised that there may be a slightly increased risk of suicidal thinking in children and teenagers taking nonstimulant ADHD medication or antidepressants. Contact your child’s doctor if you notice any signs of suicidal thinking or other signs of depression.
Giving medications safely
It’s very important to make sure your child takes the right amount of the prescribed medication. Parents may be concerned about stimulants and the risk of abuse and addiction. Dependence hasn’t been shown in children who take these drugs for appropriate reasons and at the proper dose.
On the other hand, there’s concern that other people might misuse or abuse stimulant medication prescribed for children and teenagers with ADHD. To keep your child’s medications safe and to make sure your child is getting the right dose at the right time:
- Give medications carefully. Children and teens shouldn’t be in charge of their own ADHD medication without proper supervision.
- At home, keep medication locked in a childproof container. An overdose of stimulant drugs is serious and potentially fatal.
- Don’t send supplies of medication to school with your child. Deliver any medicine yourself to the school nurse or health office.
ADHD behavior therapy
Children with ADHD often benefit from behavior therapy and counseling, which may be provided by a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker or other mental health care professional. Some children with ADHD may also have other conditions such as anxiety disorder or depression. In these cases, counseling may help both ADHD and the coexisting problem.
Examples of therapy include:
- Behavior therapy. Teachers and parents can learn behavior-changing strategies, such as token reward systems and timeouts, for dealing with difficult situations.
- Psychotherapy. This allows older children with ADHD to talk about issues that bother them, explore negative behavioral patterns and learn ways to deal with their symptoms.
- Parenting skills training. This can help parents develop ways to understand and guide their child’s behavior.
- Family therapy. Family therapy can help parents and siblings deal with the stress of living with someone who has ADHD.
- Social skills training. This can help children learn appropriate social behaviors.
Ongoing treatment
The best results occur when a team approach is used, with teachers, parents, and therapists or physicians working together. Educate yourself about ADHD, and then work with your child’s teachers and refer them to reliable sources of information to support their efforts in the classroom.
If your child is being treated for ADHD, he or she should see the doctor regularly until symptoms have largely improved, and then every three to four months if symptoms are stable.
Call the doctor if your child has any medication side effects, such as loss of appetite, trouble sleeping or increased irritability, or if your child’s ADHD has not shown much improvement with initial treatment.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Because attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is complex and each person with ADHD is unique, it’s hard to make recommendations that work for every child. But some of the following suggestions may help create an environment in which your child can succeed.
Children at home
- Show your child lots of affection. Children need to hear that they’re loved and appreciated. Focusing only on the negative aspects of your child’s behavior can harm your relationship and affect self-confidence and self-esteem. If your child has a hard time accepting verbal signs of affection, a smile, a pat on the shoulder or a hug can show you care. Look for behaviors for which you can compliment your child regularly.
- Take time to enjoy your child. Make an effort to accept and appreciate the parts of your child’s personality that aren’t so difficult. One of the best ways to do this is simply to spend time together. This should be a private time when no other children or adults interfere. Try to give your child more positive than negative attention every day.
- Find ways to improve self-esteem and a sense of discipline. Children with ADHD often do well with art projects, music or dance lessons, or martial arts classes, such as karate or tae kwon do. But don’t force them into activities that are beyond their abilities. All children have special talents and interests that can be fostered. Small frequent successes help build self-esteem.
- Work on organization. Help your child organize and maintain a daily assignment notebook and be sure your child has a quiet place to study. Group objects in the child’s room and store in clearly marked spaces. Try to help your child keep his or her environment organized and uncluttered.
- Use simple words and demonstrate when giving your child directions. Speak slowly and quietly and be very specific and concrete. Give one direction at a time. Stop and make eye contact with the child before and while you’re giving directions.
- Try to keep a regular schedule for meals, naps and bedtime. Use a big calendar to mark special activities that will be coming up. Children with ADHD have a hard time accepting and adjusting to change. Avoid or at least warn children of sudden transitions from one activity to another.
- Make sure your child is rested. Try to keep your child from becoming overtired because fatigue often makes ADHD symptoms worse.
- Identify difficult situations. Try to avoid situations that are difficult for your child, such as sitting through long presentations or shopping in malls and stores where the array of merchandise can be overwhelming. Help your child learn social skills by recognizing or rewarding positive interactions with peers.
- Use timeouts or appropriate consequences for discipline. Timeouts should be relatively brief, but long enough for your child to regain control. Children can also be expected to accept the results of the choices they make. The idea is to interrupt and defuse out-of-control behavior.
- Be patient. Try to remain patient and calm when dealing with your child, even when your child is out of control. If you’re calm, your child is more likely to model that behavior and become calm too.
- Keep things in perspective. Be realistic in your expectations for improvement — both your own and your child’s. Keep your child’s developmental stage in mind.
- Take a break yourself. If you’re exhausted and stressed, you’re a much less effective parent.
Children in school
- Ask about school programs. Schools are required by law to have a program to make sure children who have a disability that interferes with learning get the support they need. Your child may be eligible for additional services offered under federal laws: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These can include evaluation, curriculum adjustments, changes in classroom setup, modified teaching techniques, study skills instruction, use of computers, and increased collaboration between parents and teachers.
- Talk to your child’s teachers. Stay in close communication with teachers and support their efforts to help your child in the classroom. Be sure teachers closely monitor your child’s work, provide positive feedback, and are flexible and patient. Ask that they be very clear about their instructions and expectations.
Alternative medicine
There’s little research that indicates that alternative medicine treatments can reduce attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Before considering any alternative interventions, talk with your doctor to determine if the therapy is safe. Some alternative medicine treatments that have been tried, but are not yet fully proved scientifically, include:
- Yoga or meditation. Doing regular yoga routines or meditation and relaxation techniques may help children relax and learn discipline, which may help them manage their symptoms of ADHD.
- Special diets. Most diets promoted for ADHD involve eliminating foods thought to increase hyperactivity, such as sugar, and common allergens such as wheat, milk and eggs. Some diets recommend avoiding artificial food colorings and additives. So far, studies haven’t found a consistent link between diet and improved symptoms of ADHD, though some anecdotal evidence suggests diet changes might make a difference. Caffeine use as a stimulant for children with ADHD can have risky effects and is not recommended.
- Vitamin or mineral supplements. While certain vitamins and minerals from foods are necessary for good health, there’s no evidence that supplemental vitamins or minerals can reduce symptoms of ADHD. “Megadoses” of vitamins — doses that far exceed the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) — can be harmful.
- Herbal supplements. There is no evidence to suggest that herbal remedies help with ADHD, and some may be harmful.
- Proprietary formulations. These are products made from vitamins, micronutrients and other ingredients that are sold as possible treatment supplements for children with ADHD. These products have had little or no research and are exempt from Food and Drug Administration oversight, making them possibly ineffective or potentially harmful.
- Essential fatty acids. These fats, which include omega-3 oils, are necessary for the brain to function properly. Researchers are still investigating whether these may improve ADHD symptoms.
- Neurofeedback training. Also called electroencephalographic (EEG) biofeedback, in these sessions a child focuses on certain tasks while using a machine that shows brain wave patterns. The goal is to learn to keep brain wave patterns active in the front of the brain, improving symptoms of ADHD. More research is needed to see if this works.
- Exercise. In addition to its health benefits, regular exercise may have a positive effect on behavior in children with ADHD when added to treatment.
Coping and support
Caring for a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder can be challenging for the whole family. Parents may be hurt by their child’s behavior as well as by the way other people respond to it. The stress of dealing with ADHD can lead to marital conflict. These problems may be compounded by the financial burden that ADHD can place on families.
Siblings of a child with ADHD also may have special difficulties. They can be affected by a brother or sister who is demanding or aggressive, and they may also receive less attention because the child with ADHD requires so much of a parent’s time.
Resources
Many resources are available, such as social services or support groups. Support groups often can provide helpful information about coping with ADHD. Ask your child’s doctor if he or she knows of any support groups in your area.
There also are excellent books and guides for both parents and teachers, and Internet sites dealing exclusively with ADHD. But be careful of websites or other resources that focus on risky or unproved remedies or those that conflict with your health care team’s recommendations.
Techniques for coping
Many parents notice patterns in their child’s behavior as well as in their own responses to that behavior. Both you and your child may need to change behavior. But substituting new habits for old ones takes a lot of hard work. It’s important to have realistic expectations. Set small goals for both yourself and your child and don’t try to make a lot of changes all at once.
To help manage ADHD:
- Structure your child’s life. Arrange things so that your child’s life is as predictable, calm and organized as possible. Children with ADHD don’t handle change well. Predictable routines can make them feel safe and help improve behavior. Give your child a few minutes warning — with a countdown — when it’s necessary to change from one activity or location to another.
- Provide positive discipline. Start with firm, loving discipline that rewards good behavior and discourages destructive actions. Also, children with ADHD usually respond well to positive reinforcement, as long as it’s earned. Rewarding or reinforcing a new good behavior every time it occurs can encourage new habits.
- Stay calm and set a good example. Act the way you want your child to act. Try to remain patient and in control — even when your child is out of control. If you speak quietly and calmly, your child is more likely to calm down too. Learning stress management techniques can help you deal with your own frustrations.
- Strive for healthy family relationships. The relationship among all family members plays a big part in managing or changing the behavior of a child with ADHD. Couples with a strong bond often find it easier to face parenting challenges than those whose bond isn’t as strong. It’s important for partners to take time to nurture their own relationship.
- Give yourself a break. Give yourself a break now and then. Don’t feel guilty for spending a few hours apart from your child. You’ll be a better parent if you’re rested and relaxed. Don’t hesitate to ask relatives and friends for help. Make sure that baby sitters or other caretakers are knowledgeable about ADHD and mature enough for the task.
Preparing for your appointment
You’re likely to start by taking your child to a family doctor or pediatrician. Depending on the results of the initial evaluation, your doctor may refer you to a specialist, such as a developmental-behavioral pediatrician, psychologist, psychiatrist or pediatric neurologist.
What you can do
To prepare for your child’s appointment:
- Make a list of any symptoms and difficulties your child has at home or at school.
- Prepare key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, vitamins, herbs or other supplements that your child is taking, and the doses.
- Bring any past evaluations and results of formal testing, if you have them, and school report cards.
- Make a list of questions to ask your child’s doctor.
Some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- Other than ADHD, what are possible causes for my child’s symptoms?
- What kinds of tests does my child need?
- What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you’re suggesting?
- My child has other health problems. How can I best manage these conditions together?
- Should my child see a specialist?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you’re prescribing for my child?
- What types of side effects can we expect from the medication?
- Are there any printed materials that I can have? What websites do you recommend?
Don’t hesitate to ask questions anytime you don’t understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Be ready to answer questions your doctor may ask, such as:
- When did you first notice your child’s behavior issues?
- Do the troubling behaviors occur all the time or only in certain situations?
- How severe are your child’s difficulties?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your child’s behavior?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your child’s behavior?
- Does your child consume caffeine? How much?
- What are your child’s sleep hours and patterns?
- How is your child’s current and past academic performance?
- Does your child read at home? Does he or she have trouble reading?
- What discipline methods have you used at home? Which ones are effective?
- Describe who lives at home and a typical daily routine.