Choosing the Right ADHD Treatment Plan for Your Child

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can manifest in children as early as three years old. As a parent, finding the right ADHD treatment for your child can be overwhelming and challenging. There are multiple treatments available, each with its benefits and limitations. With the help of a psychiatrist, parents can help curate an effective treatment plan for their child that provides life-long results.

Seek a clinical diagnosis

The first and most crucial step in any mental health treatment plan is to seek an accurate diagnosis from a qualified healthcare professional, a psychiatrist being the most ideal. An accurate diagnosis is essential to identify the type of ADHD (predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive, or combined), whether there is a co-existing or alternative condition and the appropriate intervention or treatment plan.

In order to provide an accurate diagnosis, the psychiatrist will perform a thorough evaluation that considers the child’s symptoms, family history, and other related factors. While no primary test determines ADHD, children (depending on their age) and parents may undergo questionaries and rating scales to increase the accuracy of a diagnosis.

Understand ADHD treatment options

Once a child receives an accurate diagnosis, both they and their parents need to understand the various treatment options available. Doing so will better help parents serve their children’s active ADHD treatment plan. Below are the most common ADHD treatment options a psychiatrist may introduce:

• Behavior therapy: A psychotherapy-based treatment that uses various methods to teach children skills to manage their ADHD symptoms.
• Medication: Pharmacological treatment uses stimulants or non-stimulants to increase levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, leading to improved focus.
• Combination: The combination approach has been shown in multiple studies to be most effective when managing ADHD in children, especially those with moderate to severe cases.

Consider the benefits and limitations of each option

After discussing the various ADHD treatment options, parents need to evaluate the benefits and limitations of each approach before making a decision. It is worth noting that there is no "cure" for ADHD. Sometimes, the psychiatrist will enter a trial-and-error phase before sticking with a prolonged treatment plan. Some questions parents can ask to improve the decision-making process include:

• How effective is the treatment method?
• Are there potential side effects to the specific medication?
• How quickly does it take to see a reaction after introducing medication?
• What actions can hinder treatment progress?

Monitor treatment progress

Once the psychiatrist establishes an ADHD treatment plan, consistently monitoring the child’s progress is crucial. Parents should not only monitor their children’s behavior at home but must become advocates for them at school and other activities while under another person’s care or guidance.

Making teachers or other school staff aware of a child’s treatment plan will help them to know to be aware of any potential side effects or complications resulting from treatment. Luckily, all ADHD treatment plans a psychiatrist implements will be flexible and can make any necessary changes or modifications.