Child ADHD

Inattention symptoms in child ADHD are associated with behaviors that include:
 

• Difficulty paying attention or frequently daydreaming
• Trouble listening, even when spoken to directly
• Distraction from schoolwork or play
• Making careless mistakes without concern for details
• Trouble following instructions or finishing tasks
• Disorganization; frequently losing important things
• Forgetfulness
• Avoiding things that require mental effort

Children who are hyperactive may show these behaviors:
 

• Constantly in motion or active
• Difficulty staying seated
• Squirming and fidgeting
• Talking excessively
• Climbing, running or jumping when it isn’t permitted
• Trouble playing quietly
• Difficulty settling down to sleep

These behaviors may be symptoms of impulsivity:
 

• Acting or speaking without thinking first
• Running into streets without checking for traffic first
• Difficulty taking turns
• Being impatient frequently
• Calling out answers before questions are complete
• Often interrupting others

Finding the right medication, dosage and schedule for your child may take time. Some medications may be more effective than others at improving your child’s symptoms. Types of pediatric ADHD medication include:
 

• Stimulants – These drugs increase both dopamine and norepinephrine, brain chemicals associated with attention, behavior and emotion (examples: Adderall and Ritalin).
  
  
• Non-stimulants – non-stimulant medications for pediatric ADHD include:
  • Atomoxetine, a drug that boosts levels of the brain chemical norepinephrine (example: Strattera)
  • The blood pressure medications clonidine and guanfacine, which treat hyperactivity and impulsivity (examples: Kapvay and Intuniv)
     
• Antidepressants – Several types of antidepressants may be considered, and they’re especially helpful for kids who have ADHD along with depression, anxiety or other mood disorders.

Your Mercy provider will start with a mild dose, monitor for side effects and adjust as needed. Medication may be used alone or in combination with other therapies to treat children with ADHD. Talk with your provider about the benefits and risks of medication for child ADHD.

Therapy can be effective in helping your child manage ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity, inattention, distractibility and disorganization.
 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) – CBT is the most common and helpful therapy for kids with ADHD. It’s a short-term, goal-oriented form of psychotherapy that gives kids behavioral modification tools to use at home and school.
  
  
• Behavioral therapy – Also known as behavior modification therapy, this type of therapy uses praise and rewards to encourage desired behaviors, while problem behaviors have negative consequences. 

Kids with ADHD face extra challenges in school. Learning requires concentration, comprehension, behavior control and other skills that don’t come easily to children with ADHD. And learning disabilities are also common in kids with ADHD. Schools work with many children to minimize the effects of ADHD on learning. Common techniques used in the classroom include: 
 

• Seating the child near the teacher
• Maintaining a set schedule
• Rewarding positive behaviors and having consequences for negative ones
• Giving the child’s parents regular behavior reports
• Supervising the child closely to keep them on task
• Making assignments shorter or breaking them into section
• Forming small groups for activities
• Encouraging students to pause before answering questions
• Changing how tests are taken, such as providing a less-distracting environment or allowing extra time

Federal laws require public schools to evaluate your child’s educational needs and provide services based on the evaluation. Make the school aware your child has ADHD (and any other learning problems), and ask about next steps for meeting your child’s educational needs.