Working With ADHD

My child doesn’t seem to have a problem focusing when it’s something he wants to do. It seems like his attention problems are due to “selective attention” so how can this be ADHD?

Those with ADHD typically don’t have any problem focusing on things they enjoy. In fact, at times, they may be hyper-focused on these activities. They appear so focused on the activity that they tune out anything else around them (ie  they can watch their favorite movie or play video games for hours and won’t seem to hear if someone calls their name)  It is only when something requires sustained mental effort that the ADHD interferes with the ability to stay focused.

I’ve heard Ritalin is not a good medication.  Which medication is best?

There is not one medication that is “best” as it depends on an individual’s body chemistry. Just because a medication works well for your neighbor’s son does not mean it will also work for your child. You may have to play with a few different medications and dosages to find the one that works best.  However, since ADHD is a genetic disorder, if a family member responds well to a particular medication it may make sense to start with that medication.

Will my child have to be on medication forever?

Not necessarily.  Twenty-five percent of children with ADHD outgrow the disorder.   Even if your child is in the seventy-five percent who does not outgrow the disorder, they may not need to stay on medication into adulthood.

Does medication help everyone?

About 80% of those with ADHD will improve significantly on medication.  However, a smaller number will not respond to medications.  For these individuals, it is important to understand the ways ADHD effects their functioning in order to identify appropriate ways to compensate.

What kind of side effects can I expect?

The most common side effect is disturbed appetite.   Those on stimulant medications will often not be hungry for lunch It is recommended that you eat a full breakfast before taking the medication.  Some children will have a “Boost” shake during lunch if they are not hungry to ensure they are still getting the necessary nutrients.   Appetite typically returns when the medication wears off.  Other side effects include sleep disturbance, stomach aches and headaches.  These side effects generally wear off as the body adjusts to the medication.  A less common side effect are tics (involuntary body movements) Tics are not caused by the medications, but if your child has an underlying tic disorder that is latent, the stimulants may unmask it.  Finally, there is also something known as a “rebound effect”. This occurs when the medication is wearing off and may result in an exacerbation of symptoms. The symptoms that were present before the medication often appear worse as the medication is wearing off.  This often occurs in late afternoon or evening.

I’m concerned that the medication will make my child a zombie. Will it change his personality?

If your child seems like a zombie on the medication, it likely means that it is not the right medication or the right dosage.  There are many different types of medication and dosages and it will take some time to determine the right one.  Once on the right medication, your child will still be the same kid but will most likely feel more confident and be much more pleasant to be around.

Is medication the only option to treat ADHD?

Medication is not the only intervention for ADHD but it is probably the best intervention.  Studies have been done that have compared ADHD children on medication alone, children who had medication and behavioral interventions, and children who had behavioral interventions alone.  There was only a marginal difference between those who had medication plus behavioral interventions and those who had medication alone, while those who only had behavioral interventions did not show much progress.  Behavioral interventions that can be an alternative or support to medication include regular exercise, dietary changes, regular routines, behavior charts and nuerofeedback.

What about diet? Does sugar increase hyperactivity?

There has been increasing evidence that shows that many children with ADHD symptoms have an allergy or sensitivity to food colorings. These additives include “Red 40” and “Yellow 5 “   It is often helpful to remove foods that contain these dyes from a child’s diet.   A more involved diet is the Fiengold diet which eliminates not only artificial coloring but also artificial flavorings, artificial sweeteners  and preservatives.  It also eliminates foods that contain salicylics which are found in apples and oranges.  Families have noted success with this diet, but also report that it is very rigid and difficult to maintain. Click here for more information on the connection between ADHD and food dye.

With all of these side effects, why would I risk putting my child on medication?

Not every child has side effects.  If your child does have side effects that you are not comfortable, you can simply go off that medication.  The stimulants have a very short half-life, meaning they are in and out of your system the same day (some in just a few hours) You will know immediately if your child will have an adverse reaction and the effects will wear off that same day.  Even if your child does have some effects, many parents feel that the benefits from the medication far outweigh the side effects.  The biggest side effect of not being on medication is poor self esteem.   Children with ADHD often struggle with making or keeping friends, as ADHD typically impacts social skills.  These children are more prone to interrupt, grab things, disturb other children and impulsively hit.  These children are also more apt to get in trouble due to their impulsive behaviors which also impacts self esteem. Finally, children with ADHD are often quite hard on themselves when they consistently lose things, forget things or make careless mistakes. For these children, it is important to weigh the side effects against  the self-esteem issues .