Once a doctor has established the core symptoms of ADHD in your child, then you will go into a phase of managing it. Children with ADHD, like those in the autism spectrum, are classified from mild to severe. The treatment processes will depend on the severity of the symptoms and how they affect your child.

Behaviour Therapy

ADHD behaviour therapy is recommended for all children with ADHD, irrespective of the symptoms they exhibit. They must learn how to cope with the symptoms and co-exist with other children.

Several health professions offer behavioural therapy. They include social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Your doctor will recommend the best place to start to help your child cope with ADHD.

Benefits of behaviour therapy

• An improvement in your child’s self-confidence and self-esteem.
• The child learns self-control. For example, instead of expecting to be served on demand, your child will learn to be patient and wait for their turn.
• Parents and therapists learn to observe and understand non-verbal communication. For example, the therapist may change the activity when the child gets restless in class.
• Parents and therapists also learn how to help the child focus on class work and even excel in it.
• The child is introduced to activities that will demand more concentration and help extend their ability to sit still and focus.
• Family therapy will help other children in the home understand that their sibling is unique and they don’t do certain things because they are being mean.

Medication

Even though ADHD is difficult to diagnose, there are standard medications that will help to suppress some of the symptoms. It is important to note that ADHD is a condition that cannot be cured.

The symptoms will linger, even when a child is under medication. However, the severity will be suppressed, and your child will lead a fairly normal life. Additionally, the treatment options will be carried out concurrently.

For example, your child may be on medication but still need behavioural therapy.

Over time, the doctor may decide to alter the dosage or even change the medication, especially as the child grows and becomes more aware of the symptoms and how to manage them.

Treatment also varies from one child to the next. One medication may prove successful for one child and may fail for another. It is mostly trial and error until the doctor finds the best choice for your child. So, the process requires patience and regular communication with the child’s therapist.

At the moment, psychostimulants are commonly used for ADHD. They balance the levels of neurotransmitters, which ultimately help improve symptoms of ADHD in children.

Sharing of medicines is prohibited, even if the children share similar symptoms. Some stimulants have adverse reactions, especially when not administered by the doctor. Even if children are given the same medicines, the dosage varies.

Some side effects of the stimulant medication include heart and psychiatric problems. This is why self-diagnosis and treatment are not recommended.

When a child is diagnosed within the recommended period (by the age of 7 years), they can lead a fairly normal and productive life. They’ll also learn how to read their symptoms early and cope when feeling overwhelmed. Therefore, it is ideal to get your child assessed once you see them displaying signs of ADHD.