This Resource Center has been made possible by funding provided by the Ladson Foundation.
ADHD is a condition that includes problems with attention, increased activity, and impulsivity. According to estimates, 11 percent of children in school and 4 percent of adults have ADHD. It is most often diagnosed when children reach school age but can also be diagnosed in people of any age group. Research suggests that in a classroom of 30 students, at least one child will have ADHD.
There is no single cause of ADHD. Most research indicates that genes passed down from parents are the main cause of ADHD. ADHD is often inherited.
There are effective and safe treatments available for children and teens with ADHD. However, the best treatment is when it is started early and is tailored to meet each child’s individual needs.
- What is ADHD?
- How common is ADHD?
- What causes ADHD?
- What are the common signs and symptoms of ADHD?
- What types of treatment are available for ADHD?
- When can you stop taking ADHD medication?
- What are the effects of untreated ADHD on your life?
Treatment Resources Parents Medication Guide
The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Psychiatric Association have created the ADHD: Parent’s Medication Guide. ritalin
This guide includes the latest research on treatments that work for children and adolescents with ADHD. This guide is designed to help parents decide on the best treatment for their child or adolescent with ADH
AACAP’s facts for families provide concise, up-to-date information on issues that impact children, teens, and their parents.
Here are some links to Facts for Families that contain information for families with children who have ADHD:
- College students with ADHD
- Children Who Can’t Pay Attention/Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Conduct Disorder
- Children with Learning Disorders
- Psychiatric Medicine for Children and AdolescentsÂ
- Psychiatric Medicine for Children and Adolescents
- Psychiatric medication for children and adolescents
- The Anxious Child
- The Depressed child
- Bipolar Disorder among Children and Teens
- Bullying
- Children who Steal
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
- Tic Disorders
- Biting and Fighting
What parents need to know about services in schools for children with special needs
ADHD is characterized by restless behavior in many children. ADHD may be the culprit when fidgeting, poor concentration, or impulsiveness disrupt performance at school, at home, or in relationships. You need to know as much about ADHD as possible to advocate effectively for your child.
Here are some chapters from the ADHD Guide for Families:
What is ADHD?
How common is ADHD?
Common Signs and Symptoms
Treatment
Supporting school success
The Teenage Years
Working Together
Resources
Clinical Resources Information on Psychotherapy Treatment Options
The treatment for ADHD is a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Both are important components of a comprehensive plan. Children with ADHD can benefit from a variety of psychotherapies. Cognitive-behavioral (CBT), and behavioral management techniques, are the two most effective treatments for ADHD.
Find out more about the different types of psychotherapy available for children and adolescents with mental illness.
ADHD Rating Scales
The SWAN and SNAP-IV rating scales can be used to identify ADHD symptoms and help clinicians monitor them. However, the scales must be completed by both a teacher and a parent.
The SWAN Scale includes 30 items, including ADHD symptoms as well as symptoms of oppositional-defiant disorder. Download SWAN Rating Scale.
The SNAP IV Rating Scale has 90 items, including symptoms of ADHD, ODD, and aggressiveness. Download SNAP IV Rating Scale.
Research and Training
 Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents: Diagnosis & Treatment
Abstract for the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD was an NIMH-sponsored research study that examined over 600 children with ADHD to see how they responded to different treatments. Here is a short description of the results of this research:
Multimodal Treatment of Children with ADHD
Find out more about this large research project and the results of the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children With ADHD.
Book
The AACAP books Your Child; Your Adolescent provides easy-to-understand and comprehensive information about the emotional development of children and their behavior from infancy to adolescence.
Get Help
Parents can help children and teens with mental health concerns. First, parents should try to find a mental health professional with advanced training and experience evaluating and treating children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Finding the right match between you, your child, and your mental health professional is also important.
A child and adolescent psychiatric specialist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental disorders that affect adolescents and children. Child and adolescent psychiatric psychiatrists are doctors who have completed at least four years of medical training, three years in residency in adult medicine, neurology, or general psychiatry, plus two years in additional training for the psychiatric treatment of children and adolescents.
