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Caring for a Child with ADHD
What is ADHD and is it common? Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a
brain condition that makes it hard for children to
focus on tasks and control their behavior. ADHD is
one of the most common chronic conditions in
children. ADHD is different from the usual
behavior problems that children deal with at times.
Children with ADHD tend to have persistent
symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and
hyperactivity that interfere with their ability to carry
on normal lives.
Between 4 and 12 percent of school-aged children
have ADHD. Boys are diagnosed about three
times more often than girls. About 40 percent of
children with ADHD will continue to have
symptoms of ADHD as adults.
What You Need to Know About ADHD
The causes of ADHD still aren’t clear. However,
ADHD is one of the most studied childhood
conditions, and much has been learned about it.
 ADHD is a biological disorder, not just “bad
behavior.”
 The parts of the brain that control attention
and activity level may show lower activity in
children with ADHD.
 There is a family connection with ADHD.
Sometimes parents are diagnosed at the
same time as their children.
 Environmental toxins can play a role in the
development of ADHD, but that is
extremely rare.
 Severe head injuries can cause ADHD in
some cases.
 There is no evidence that ADHD is caused
by eating too much sugar, food additives,
allergies, or immunizations.
Symptoms
A child with ADHD may have one or more of the
following symptoms:
 Inattention: The child has a hard time
paying attention. She daydreams, is easily
distracted and disorganized, and tends to
lose a lot of things.

Hyperactivity: The child seems to be in
constant motion and has difficulty staying
seated. He frequently squirms and talks too
much.

Impulsivity: The child frequently acts and
speaks without thinking, interrupting others.
She is unable to wait for things.
A child with ADHD may have a very hard time
getting along with siblings, friends, and classmates.
Learning can be very difficult for a child with
untreated ADHD, and their impulsiveness can lead
to physical danger.
Diagnosis
The only way to determine if your child has ADHD
is to be evaluated by a medical professional, who
can accurately diagnose and treat ADHD.
There is no simple test to diagnose ADHD and it
will take some time to make the diagnosis. Your
doctor or healthcare professional will follow a
process that takes several steps to gather
information from you, your child’s school, and any
other caregivers who spend time with your child.
Some children have ADHD along with other
behavior conditions. Your child’s doctor or
healthcare professional will look for signs of
common “coexisting conditions” such as
oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorders,
depression, and learning disabilities.
This handout may be freely downloaded from The Vermont Academic Detailing Program website www.vtad.org
Updated: March 2013
Caring for a Child with ADHD
ADHD Treatment Plan
There is no specific cure for ADHD, but there are
many treatment options for your child.
A typical long-term management plan will include:
 Education about ADHD
 A team approach to treatment that includes
doctors, parents, teachers, caregivers,
other health care professionals, and your
child
 Medication and Behavior therapy
 Parent training
 Individual and family counseling
Medication Therapy
Stimulant medications are the most effective, most
commonly prescribed medications for ADHD.
Examples of stimulant medications are
methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), mixed
amphetamines (Adderall), or lisdexamfetamine
(Vyvanse). Stimulant medications help children
focus their thoughts better and ignore distractions,
which helps them pay attention and control their
behavior more effectively.
All stimulants have the risk of abuse by
adolescents or adults and are at risk for being
stolen. Long-acting stimulants, such as Vyvanse
and Concerta, are less likely to be abused or
stolen, although the risk still exists. It is important
to balance the risk of abuse and theft with the fact
that stimulants are the most effective medications
to treat ADHD. Talk to your child’s doctor or
healthcare professional if you have concerns about
stimulant abuse or theft. Never have your child
stop taking prescribed medications without talking
to your child’s doctor or healthcare professional
first.
There are medications to treat ADHD that are
sometimes prescribed and are not stimulants. The
most common medications include atomoxetine
(Strattera) or guanfacine (Intuniv). They are not as
effective as stimulants but may be a good choice
for some children and adolescents. Common side
effects of atomoxetine include upset stomach,
decreased appetite, nausea, dizziness, tiredness,
and mood swings. Common side effects of
guanfacine are dry mouth, sedation, and headache.
Your doctor or healthcare professional will work
with you to find the right medication, dosage, and
schedule for your child. Some children respond to
one type of stimulant, but not others and it may
take time to find the right combination. Doses may
need to be adjusted over time, depending on
weight and other factors (including side effects).
For more information
Not all children experience side effects, but those
who do most commonly report decreased appetite
or weight loss, sleep problems, and social
withdrawal. Insomnia or sleep problems may be
due to the time of day your child takes his or her
stimulant medication. This side effect can usually
be lessened or relieved completely by adjusting
the timing of the medication. Other side effects can
be lessened or relieved completely by changing
dosage, adjusting the medication schedule, or
choosing a different stimulant. Also, most side
effects decrease over time with continued use of
the medication. Your doctor or healthcare
professional will guide you through this process.
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American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):
http://www.healthychildren.org Click on “Health
Issues” and then “ADHD”
American Academy of Family Physicians:
http://familydoctor.org Click on “Diseases and
Conditions” then “A” under “Browse by Name.”
Scroll to the bottom and click ADHD
Vermont Department of Health
http://healthvermont.gov/family/ADHD/ADHD.a
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ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know
by the American Academy of Pediatrics. This
book is available in paperback and costs
around $12.
Source: Most of the information in this handout
came from www.Healthychildren.org from the AAP.
This handout may be freely downloaded from The Vermont Academic Detailing Program website www.vtad.org
Updated: March 2013