related anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant dis-
order, the effects of child abuse or neglect, or
obsessive compulsive disorder may look like ADHD
but require different treatments.
A comprehensive evaluation is necessary to deter-
mine a diagnosis of ADHD. This includes information
and observations from parents, teachers, school psy-
chologists, and pediatricians. Parents see their chil-
dren at home and in small social groups. Classroom
teachers can be of assistance since they see how well
children perform school work and how children inter-
act with their peers. School psychologists can make
behavioral observations in multiple settings and in-
terview the child. Pediatricians provide needed medi-
cal information.
Completion of behavioral checklists are part of a
comprehensive evaluation. The checklists rate the se-
verity of ADHD symptoms and are completed by pri-
mary caregivers such as parents or guardians and
classroom teachers. Items on the checklist include be-
haviors such as having no sense of fair play, temper
outbursts, unpredictable behavior, and excessive de-
mands for attention. In addition to this information,
a thorough evaluation is needed of the child’s current
level of academic, social, and emotional functioning.
This assessment is used to determine significant im-
pairment in social relationships and academic perfor-
mance. Careful consideration and review of all the
information gathered is needed before the evaluation
is complete.
Recommended Treatment for ADHD
Although there is no cure for ADHD, there is a
recommended treatment plan that requires parents,
educators, and members of the medical profession to
work cooperatively. This plan includes parent train-
ing in managing behavior, counseling, educational
supports, and medication when needed.
The parent training component recognizes how
important it is for parents to provide clear expecta-
tions for behavior, establish consistent rules, provide
positive reinforcement when rules are followed, and
provide immediate consequences when rules are bro-
ken.
The counseling portion of the treatment plan
may include both individual and family counseling.
Family counseling may be useful in planning and
evaluating workable strategies, such as conflict resolu-
tion, and providing needed emotional support. Indi-
vidual counseling for the ADHD child can provide
training in social skills, anger control, and relaxation
techniques.
A supportive educational program with regular
home-school communication is also needed. An
Drugs such as Ritalin are sometimes administered to children
diagnosed with ADHD in an effort to provide a decrease in
impulsiveness, aggressiveness, hyperactivity, and inappropriate
social interaction. (A/P Wide World Photos)ADHD child benefits when teachers provide structure
by clearly communicating expectations, rules, and
consequences. The educational program may also in-
clude modifications and accommodations such as
shortening assignments, allowing more time for work
completion or tests, and limiting homework.
The most controversial part of the treatment plan
is the decision regarding medication of children with
ADHD. When medication is prescribed, it is intended
to improve the symptoms of ADHD. The benefits of
medication can include a decrease in impulsiveness,
aggressiveness, hyperactivity, and inappropriate so-
cial interaction. There can also be an increase in the
child’s ability to concentrate, shut out distractions,
and complete schoolwork and jobs at home. The use
of medication is controversial, though. Many people
believe that schools advocate the use of medication as
a way to control unruly behavior in children who doATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER 39