ADHD Quick Facts: Behavior Management in ADHD Treatment

Behavior therapy including behavior modification is a critical part of ADHD treatment for children and teens. Solid scientific evidence shows that behavioral treatment can be effective for many children. The severity and type of ADHD may play a role in treatment decisions, which should be tailored to the unique needs of each child and family.…

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ADHD Quick Facts: Complementary Interventions for ADHD

Parents often look for interventions that will work together with—or even in place of—the recommended treatments for ADHD. ADHD treatments that are supported by solid research include medication, behavioral treatments such as behavior management strategies, parent training, and school programs that include accommodations. Interventions that are complementary to recommended treatments include dietary approaches, nutritional supplements,…

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ADHD Quick Facts: Finding a Professional to Diagnose and Treat ADHD

Questions to Ask Many healthcare professionals can diagnose ADHD: psychiatrists, pediatricians, neurologists, psychologists, clinical social workers, nurse practitioners, and licensed counselors or therapists. Only certain medical professionals can prescribe medication and conduct tests to rule out other possible causes of symptoms: physicians (MD or DO), nurse practitioners (NP), and physician assistants (PA) who are supervised…

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ADHD Quick Facts: Medication in ADHD Treatment

Medication can be an important part of ADHD treatment. It can help to control symptoms, helping a child stay on task and pay attention. It can only be prescribed by medical professionals, not other professionals. An accurate ADHD diagnosis is needed, including an evaluation for other possible diagnoses, before medication is prescribed. Each family must…

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Podcasts

Podcasts from the National Resource Center on ADHD address a variety of topics on ADHD, including interventions and tips for parents, adults, educators and other professionals. Listen to the podcasts on SoundCloud or on iTunes.

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Coaching

ADHD coaching is a relatively new field that has become more prominent in recent years. Coaching is an intervention that complements medication and other non-pharmacologic alternatives. As a specialty within the broader field of coaching, ADHD coaching is a practical intervention that specifically targets the core impairments of ADHD such as planning, time management, goal…

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Coexisting Conditions

More than two-thirds of individuals with ADHD have at least one other coexisting condition. The symptoms of ADHD—constant motion and fidgetiness, interrupting and blurting out, difficulty sitting still and need for constant reminders, etc.—may overshadow these other disorders. But just as untreated ADHD can present challenges in everyday life, other disorders can also cause unnecessary…

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Glossary of Terms

Accommodations: Changes made to the learning environment curriculum in order to better serve children with special needs or learning differences. Accommodations can include but are not limited to test presentation, extended time, different testing locations and variation in the way material is presented and/or taught to students. ADD: This refers to “Attention Deficit Disorder,” an older term…

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Myths and Misunderstandings

Evidence from research studies continue to dispel the myths and misunderstandings about ADHD. Here are some of the misconceptions and recent research available to address them:   Myth # 1: ADHD is Not a Real Disorder ADHD cases have been described as far back as the textbook published in 1775 by Adam Weikard in German.…

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Frequently Asked Questions

Health Information Specialists at the National Resource Center on ADHD, a Program of CHADD, receive thousands of inquiries each year about ADHD. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers, as well as links for more information.   General Questions about ADHD What is ADHD? Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental…

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Insurance and Public Benefits

Because ADHD can pervade almost every aspect of an individual’s life, many systems can come into play in the life of a person or family affected by the disorder.   The Insurance System The majority of Americans who have health insurance receive this coverage through employer-provided health insurance plans. Millions of Americans, however, do not…

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Professionals Who Diagnose and Treat ADHD

When seeking an evaluation or treatment for ADHD, it is important to see a qualified, licensed healthcare professional. In addition to ensuring that a particular professional has the required training, it is also important to work with a professional who has experience in dealing with this disorder. There are several types of professionals who typically…

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