Henry Montero, LMHC, CASAC-2, CTTS
Alquimedez Mental Health Counseling
1154 E. Tremont Ave Bronx, NY 10460-2452
Tel: 718-664-7679
www.alquimedez.com
Email: info@alquimedez.com
Twitter: @henmontero
Instagram: alquimedezmentalhealth
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental health issue that influences a high number of children and adults worldwide. We aim to look at what treatment options are available to these individuals.
Diagnosis
The vast majority of children get a diagnosis when they are in elementary school. This means that treatment can begin at an early stage as well. Still, there are anomalies where kids are not diagnosed until much later, even until adulthood in some cases.
Doctors generally conduct thorough examinations because a comprehensive test is not available. Usually, they can rule out other potential concerns and narrow it down to ADHD. This is a useful measure as the traits of ADHD can be quite similar to other mental health concerns like depression, learning disability and sleep issues as well.
As many children can exhibit behavior like being overly energetic and failing to be attentive, medical professionals can differentiate healthy kids from those who have ADHD by observing their behavior over several months. If the child’s academic performance is affected and their attitude at home and in classrooms is a cause for concern, then the chances of ADHD increase.
Screening and Evaluation
THE T.O.V.A. -Test of Variables of Attention
The T.O.V.A. provides healthcare professionals with objective measurements of attention and inhibitory control. The visual T.O.V.A. aids in the assessment of, and evaluation of treatment for, attention deficits, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The auditory T.O.V.A. aids in the evaluation of attention deficits, including ADHD. T.O.V.A. results should only be interpreted by qualified professionals.
Treatment
Luckily, there are different methods of tackling ADHD.
Medication
Medicines may be administered for children with ADHD. Each child reacts differently to medication, so there is a chance some may have a positive reaction to it. Generally, it is considered the ideal form of treatment for children as it works well for nearly 80% of them.
ADHD medication is typically divided into two main types: stimulant ones and non-stimulating ones. However, it must be noted that in some cases, these medicines can have side effects. These include diminished appetite, insomnia and stomach aches. Therefore, the onus is on doctors to tailor the type and dosage given to each.
Therapy
Therapy aimed at children with ADHD can be of different types. For example, behavioral therapy is a pertinent example and is used to instill a positive demeanor in children and change their negative behavior. Behavioral therapy may also be used in conjunction with certain medication.
On the other hand, cognitive behavioral therapy may be used as well. This involves plenty of conversations that are aimed at comprehending the thought processes of children suffering from ADHD.
Successful cognitive therapy enables kids to improve their self-esteem and feel more confident about their day to day lives.
Social Skills Groups
Last but not least, children with ADHD may also be included in groups where they are allowed to express themselves freely. Their participation is promoted because plenty of kids with the issue find socializing particularly disconcerting.
This may include the capability to talk too much or not at all. Hence, joining a dedicated group means they have the opportunity to show growth in their behavior as they engage with others in their age bracket.