What kind of management program should primary care clinicians recommend for ADHD? Should ADHD treatment be seen as treatment of a chronic condition, requiring long term ADHD treatment?
Answer:
ADHD has to be considered as a chronic condition, that might interfere with the further development and quality of life of the children. Studies indicate that persistence of ADHD into adolescence and adulthood will affect at least 60 to 80% of the ADHD children. It is important to develop an ongoing partnership among clinicians, parents, teachers or any other person who is relevant for the child and the further development.
Therefore special efforts for a long-term management of ADHD are recommended:
- Appropriate information about the condition and possible individual problems.
- Focus on individual strength and resources of the child and the family!!!!
- Update and monitoring of the family knowledge and understanding of ADHD and any treatment options. Also alternative treatment methods should be considered, because more than 60% of all parents will at least try one or more methods.
- Counselling about the possible reactions of the family, friends, teachers...
- Developmentally appropriate education of the child about ADHD. Again: Consider resources and strengths of the child!
- Availability to any kind of questions, problems or crisis intervention.
- Offer additional support for coaching or explain the ADHD symptoms at school.
- Connect to other ADHD families (self-help-groups, internet).
- Monitoring of any positive or negative changes and adjustment of the treatment plan/medication.
Treating ADHD with medicines
Other ways of Treating ADHD
ADHD in Adults