ADD, or attention deficit disorder, is a condition that affects thousands of children every year. It can affect a child in a number of ways. He may be uncontrollably hyper or act on impulse without thinking of the consequences. There are some children whose concentration is affected, but who remain calm a majority of the time. Whatever your child's case may be, ADD is not a condition that is outgrown. Therefore, children with ADD need to be treated for their symptoms so they can lead productive lives both as children and later as adults.
Significance
If ADD is left untreated, it can cause myriad problems for diagnosed children. It can affect their performance in school, cause problems between them and their parents, and affect the way they interact with others. While the most common form of treatment is medication, there are alternative treatments that may work just as well for your child.
Medication
The most common treatment method is the use of medications. Some of the more commonly prescribed medications are Ritalin, Concerta and Stratera. These medications are not a cure for ADD, they simply help relieve the symptoms associated with the condition. However, after a period of time using the drugs, the medication wears off and symptoms return. Some medications last for eight hours while others last for 12 hours. Not every medication works the same for every child, so drug treatments need to be personalized for each child. Medications also need to be monitored closely by the child's pediatrician. Medications are considered to be the most effective when they are used in combination with another form of treatment or therapy.
Behavioral Therapy
Behavioral therapy, also known as behavior modification, appears to work well when used in conjuction with medication. Over time, the child's medication dosage may even be able to be lowered. With behavioral therapy, the parent works with a cognitive-behavioral therapist to design a behavior modification program for her child. The theory behind this therapy is that by rewarding the child for good behavior and having set consequences for bad behavior, the child will eventually meet the goals set for her. The therapist sets up the program of rewards and consequences for the child, both at home and school. The therapist also provides support for the child and her family as they try to maintain the reward/consequences plan put in place.
Social Skills Training
This is a form of behavior therapy that specializes in social skills. The goal of this therapy is to help the child interact better with people around him. Children with ADD often fail to pick up on nonverbal forms of communication, such as facial expressions and body language. In a social skills group, children with ADD are taught act more appropriately around other people by learning read their expressions. If you need help finding a social skills therapist, you can receive a referral from a school psychologist or your local mental health clinic.
Considerations
One important thing to keep in mind is that the medications prescribed for children often have side effects that may outweigh the benefits they offer. They can include a decreased appetite resulting in weight loss or no weight gain, extreme emotional outbursts when the medication wears off, being nervous or anxious and insomnia. Regardless of what your child's school or pediatrician may say, always advocate on behalf of your child. If you know that the medication she on isn't compatible with her, even if it appears to be managing the symptoms of their condition, you have every right to stop the medication and find an alternative treatment method. It may be difficult, but it's not impossible.
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