ADHD-WHAT DO WE DO AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS?
When parents truly understand that their child is afflicted with a chronic
neurobiological disorder, they will sometimes experience a grief reaction. Coming to terms with the fact that your child has a chronic disability that will most likely follow them their entire life (about 70% maintain significant symptoms into adulthood) is not good news.
Knowing that this disorder may effect (or continue to effect) your child's
academic performance, peer relationships, behavior, ability to avoid trouble, ability to avoid substance use, marital relationship, driving record, job performance, self esteem, ability to persist toward a goal, etc., can be extremely unsettling, to say the least. As a result many parents will feel sad for a period of time following their true comprehension of the possible magnitude of the disorder. Understanding that these feelings are normal and allowing them to run their course is the first step toward productively dealing with this problem.
What is the Next Step?
The next step is for the parent to become an ADHD expert. This includes developing a thorough knowledge of the disorder and its treatment. Two excellent texts to assist in this process are: "Taking Charge of ADHD. The Complete Authoritative Guide for Parents." This is authored by Russell Barkley, Ph.D. and published by Guilford Press. Another suggested reading is "I Would If I Could" by Michael Gordon. Understanding which treatments are supported by scientific research is also very important in helping a parent to decide what kind of help to obtain.
Unproven/Disproven Therapies
There are many unproven/disproven therapies for ADHD. Some of these include: dietary management (research has shown this has been helpful with about 5% of children under the age of 5.), megavitamin therapy, sensory-integration therapy, chiropractic manipulation, relaxation training, social skills training and self control training.
Interventions
There are numerous interventions that are empirically justified. The
treatments that have been supported by a significant number of research studies include: Pharmacological therapies (medication - stimulants have an approximate 80% success rate), parent counseling about ADHD, parent training in child management, parent training in adolescent management, teacher/school counseling about ADHD, teacher/school training in classroom/school management, special education services, parent support associations (e.g. CHADD), Cogmed Working Memory Training.
Since it is common for other problems to accompany ADHD (most common are anxiety, depression, oppositional/defiant/conduct disorders, substance use disorders and learning disabilities) diagnosis and treatment of these disorders through individual or group therapy is often indicated.
neurobiological disorder, they will sometimes experience a grief reaction. Coming to terms with the fact that your child has a chronic disability that will most likely follow them their entire life (about 70% maintain significant symptoms into adulthood) is not good news.
Knowing that this disorder may effect (or continue to effect) your child's
academic performance, peer relationships, behavior, ability to avoid trouble, ability to avoid substance use, marital relationship, driving record, job performance, self esteem, ability to persist toward a goal, etc., can be extremely unsettling, to say the least. As a result many parents will feel sad for a period of time following their true comprehension of the possible magnitude of the disorder. Understanding that these feelings are normal and allowing them to run their course is the first step toward productively dealing with this problem.
What is the Next Step?
The next step is for the parent to become an ADHD expert. This includes developing a thorough knowledge of the disorder and its treatment. Two excellent texts to assist in this process are: "Taking Charge of ADHD. The Complete Authoritative Guide for Parents." This is authored by Russell Barkley, Ph.D. and published by Guilford Press. Another suggested reading is "I Would If I Could" by Michael Gordon. Understanding which treatments are supported by scientific research is also very important in helping a parent to decide what kind of help to obtain.
Unproven/Disproven Therapies
There are many unproven/disproven therapies for ADHD. Some of these include: dietary management (research has shown this has been helpful with about 5% of children under the age of 5.), megavitamin therapy, sensory-integration therapy, chiropractic manipulation, relaxation training, social skills training and self control training.
Interventions
There are numerous interventions that are empirically justified. The
treatments that have been supported by a significant number of research studies include: Pharmacological therapies (medication - stimulants have an approximate 80% success rate), parent counseling about ADHD, parent training in child management, parent training in adolescent management, teacher/school counseling about ADHD, teacher/school training in classroom/school management, special education services, parent support associations (e.g. CHADD), Cogmed Working Memory Training.
Since it is common for other problems to accompany ADHD (most common are anxiety, depression, oppositional/defiant/conduct disorders, substance use disorders and learning disabilities) diagnosis and treatment of these disorders through individual or group therapy is often indicated.
