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Doctor and Therapy Visits for ADHD Treatment

The primary care provider, behavioral pediatrician, or child and adolescent psychiatrist will want to see the caregiver and the child often at first to monitor progress and response to therapy. Once the individual's condition is stabilized, follow-up visits will be regular but less frequent.

• The frequency of follow-up visits is quite variable and is dictated by the person’s characteristics and convenience, provider experience, and use of psychotherapy.

• Follow-up visits every 4-12 weeks are often appropriate for the first year. After that, visits every 3-4 months for medication assessment may be adequate for a person whose condition is stable.

• Behavioral therapy may need to be ongoing for months or years.

Federal and state laws grant special educational accommodations for children with ADHD and learning disabilities. Become familiar with these laws.

Prevention

No clear methods for preventing ADHD are currently known. While some people have suggested that certain diets, teaching or parenting methods, or other approaches may keep ADHD from happening, unfortunately, none of these approaches has stood up to rigorous scientific testing so far. On the other hand, once the symptoms have begun and careful assessment has produced an ADHD diagnosis, various specific behavioral and learning techniques can be used by teachers and family to help get symptoms under better control. These should be discussed with the treating doctor so that the right interventions can be applied for the specific person.

Outlook

The outlook for people with ADHD is excellent as long as the following conditions are met:

• No major related conditions
• Continued adherence to the therapy recommended by health care providers
• Any and all coexisting learning disabilities are diagnosed and addressed
• Any and all coexisting emotional problems are investigated and treated appropriately by a primary care physician or an appropriate mental health professional

The outlook for people with related conditions or who do not receive appropriate remediation and/or treatment for their disabilities is less promising. The actual outcome for any specific individual cannot be predicted accurately because of the many variables involved.

ADHD Support Groups and Counseling

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), whether it is an adult or a child who is affected, brings many challenges. People with ADHD can learn, achieve, succeed, and create a happy life for themselves, but not without effort. The individual needs to change his or her expectations and get organized. Only then can he or she learn practical ways to cope with ADHD and put them into practice. But making changes is not always easy. Sometimes it helps to have someone to talk to.

This is the purpose of support groups. Support groups consist of people in the same situation. They come together to help each other and to help themselves. Support groups provide reassurance, motivation, and inspiration. They help individuals see that their situation is not unique and not hopeless, and that gives them power. They also provide practical tips on coping with ADHD and navigating the medical, educational, and social systems that people will rely on for help for themselves or their child. Being in an ADHD support group is strongly recommended by most mental health professionals.

Support groups meet in person, on the telephone, or on the Internet. To find a support group that works for you, contact the following organizations. You can also ask your health care provider, behavioral therapist, or education specialist, or go on the Internet. If you do not have access to the Internet, check with your child's teacher or go to the public library.

Attention Deficit Disorder Association - (484) 945-2101

Attention Deficit Information Network - (781) 455-9895

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - (800) 233-4050

Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health - (703) 684-7710

Learning Disabilities Association of America - (412) 341-1515

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Reviewed: 01/2008