What Treatments or Interventions Work?
There are a variety of interventions that seem to lessen the severity of ADD/ADHD. Behavior modification that takes place in both the home and school has been used to help manage this disorder. Medical facilities that specialize in working with children who are ADD/ADHD can recommend a behavioral therapist who can assist the child in replacing undesirable thinking that leads to inappropriate behaviors. There are many different forms of behavioral therapy that include Rational Living Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Dialectic Therapy and Rational Emotive Therapy. Behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is applied by a trained, licensed therapist. Parents can also be taught behavioral modification techniques that can be used at home. Some of these techniques will be provided later.
Social skills’ training is another intervention that has helped children with ADD/ADHD. Children are taught how to interact with their peers and family members by practicing acceptable social behaviors. Some of medical facilities that assess ADHD also provide social skills support groups. Another option for this intervention is offered through the special education programs in numerous public schools. Check with your child’s classroom teacher, school principal or special education director for availability.
The use of medication is another option that parents may want to consider after their child has been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. There has been some controversy on the use of medication to treat children and adult who have been diagnosed with this disorder. Some of the controversy stems from the fact that some doctors over-prescribed a certain medication without first doing the proper assessments for ADD/ADHD. Other doctors have been accused of not following up with the child and parents to check on the side effects that the child is having that may be causing the child more problems. The fact remains, however, that millions of children who have been diagnosed with this disorder have had their symptoms successfully reduced after being placed on a medication that meets the needs and symptoms that is occurring with the child. Medical specialist who appropriately assesses children for ADD/ADHD will often provide parents with the medication option after they provide the parents with appropriate information regarding the implications, side effects and long-term prognosis of the use of medication to treat this disorder. Again, see a doctor who specializes in the field of ADD/ADHD. Your school counselor, psychologist or nurse may also be able to provide you with the name of a medical facility and/or doctor who specializes in this area.
The following medical and educational specialists are usually involved in the evaluation process:
- Developmental Pediatricians
- Clinical Psychologist
- Psychiatrist
- Pediatric Neurologist
- Pediatricians
How Do Vitamins, Herbs, Biofeedback and other Non-Medical Intervention Work?
There is little research that proves that vitamins, plant therapy, sensory therapy (extra- sensory stimulation), biotherapy (computer feedback with brain waves) and other non-medical interventions work to reduce the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. Although there are parents who report that their children appear to be less symptomatic when using some of these methods, there is no sound medical evidence that supports these interventions. Caution needs to be taken by parents who read advertising on the use of these interventions in terms of success. It would seem logical that doctors, schools and other professionals working with children who have ADD/ADHD, would be recommending these intervention if they were proven to be successful. Parents searching for an unproven cure need to be mindful that valuable time, money and potentially dangerous options may cross their path through other well-meaning parents or companies looking to make financial gain at your expense. It is always best to work with trained professionals who use interventions backed by research. If you have questions regarding your doctor’s recommendations, seek a second opinion from another doctor who specializes in ADD/ADHD.
What is the School’s Role?
The school’s role is providing parents with information regarding their child’s behavior and performance in school. This information should be objective and backed with specific examples of academic data (that includes standardize test scores, achievement scores and day to day test and assignment scores) and behavioral performance. It is not the role of the school to diagnose ADD/ADHD. Most school counselors and psychologist do have rating scales to help identify children who may display the symptoms of this disorder. However, just like the school nurse who discovers a child (after failing a basic school eye exam) does not make a diagnosis, but refers the child to be assessed by an optometrist for potential use of prescription glasses. The educator’s role is similar in providing information to have their child assessed outside of the school regarding ADD/ADHD by a doctor who specializes in this field. As with eyewear, parents make the final decision, not the school. It’s inappropriate for parent to expect schools to make a medical diagnosis. It’s also inappropriate for the school to make a medical decision or recommendation that a child should be place on a prescription medication. If you hear a teacher say, “your child needs to be on Ritalin,” disregard that statement as a well-meaning educator trying to help you in an area where they are not trained. As a parent, say, “Thank you, I will see my doctor.”
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