Make sure the doctor uses the diagnostic criteria spelled out in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, commonly referred to as the DSM. In some cases, a child’s symptoms arise from the frustration associated with having to struggle with a learning disorder. ADHD-like symptoms can be caused by a range of disorders, including anxiety, mood disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Of course, it’s essential that your child’s diagnosis of ADHD is a reliable one. “The longer a child goes with ADHD who’s not being treated, the greater the impact on his or her self-esteem is - and the impact is generally negative,” Karniski said. It is not a last resort.”ĭelaying medication, according to Karniski, could result in unintended long-term consequences. It’s appropriate for most children with diagnosable ADHD. “Medication is the cornerstone of therapy. “If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD and is struggling, he probably needs medication,” says Stephen Copps, M.D., an ADHD specialist in Macon, Georgia. Karniski and other experts agree that parents should consider ADHD medications when symptoms interfere with their child’s social, emotional, or academic life. “It is not uncommon to diagnose a child with ADHD at 5 ” said Walt Karniski, M.D., a developmental pediatrician, in the ADDitude webinar titled, “ADHD Medication Options and Benefits for Children.” “And occasionally, we will even go down to 4 or 3 years of age to make the diagnosis.” Clinicians, the AAP adds, may consider prescribing methylphenidate to a preschool-aged child with ADHD if symptoms do not improve under behavior therapy “and there is moderate-to-severe continued disturbance in the 4- through 5-year-old child’s functioning.” For children 6 and older, the AAP recommends ADHD medication along with behavior parent training. The AAP recommends behavior parent training as the first-line treatment for preschool-aged children (children younger than 6) with ADHD. ADHD medications for children - are they necessary? Is my child too young for ADHD medication?Ĭhildren as young as 4 can be diagnosed with ADHD, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). “None of these drugs is inherently more effective than another… The choice of a specific drug should be based on its rapidity of onset, duration of action, and effectiveness in a given patient.” 3. “Treatment of ADHD should begin with an oral stimulant, either an amphetamine or a methylphenidate-based formulation,” reports Treatment Guidelines, a highly respected newsletter for physicians about prescription drugs. There is no evidence that any particular medication is best. (See this handy ADHD medication list for available treatments.) If one ADHD medication doesn’t seem to work - or if it works only at an extremely high dosage-the doctor may prescribe another drug. Most children with ADHD experience symptom improvement while taking a stimulant medication such as methylphenidate (Ritalin, Metadate, Concerta, Quillivant XR, Jornay PM, etc.) or amphetamine (Adderall, Vyvanse, Dynavel XR, Adzenys XR, etc.). ( Source: the 2017 ADDitude Treatment Survey) 2. What are the most popular ADHD medications for children?
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