PeaceHealth | Southwest health | Fall 2016

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The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy
of Family Practice, and American Association for Marriage
and Family Therapy recommend educating the patient and
family about the condition, then providing both behavior
therapy and medication as good options—preferably
together. For preschoolers, behavior therapy is suggested as
the first treatment.
“We’ve found many children respond positively to this
combination of treatment,” Dr. Prest says. “It helps parents
learn new skills to guide their kids and manage their
behavior, and it helps those kids replace the behaviors that
are causing problems.”
Behavior therapy often starts right after diagnosis. Parents,
teachers, and children can all work with a therapist to learn
effective strategies.
Medications can help children with ADHD as well.
Several kinds of medication are approved to treat children
with ADHD. These medicines can affect children differently.
Your doctor will work with you to find the treatment that’s
best for your child.
SOME T IMES CH I LDREN are a whirlwind of activity.
They can’t sit still. And they can’t concentrate on anything
for more than a minute.
That’s normal behavior for many kids, at least some of
the time. But when behavioral problems make it difficult to
function at home, at school, or in social situations, it might
signal attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Does my child have ADHD?
Diagnosing ADHD is a process. It involves gathering input
from all of a child’s caregivers. This helps clinicians see
how the child behaves in different settings—at home, at
school, and with friends.
If you think your child might have ADHD, a clinician will
look at how your child’s behavior compares to his or her
peers’ behavior. The clinician will also look for symptoms,
such as if your child:
■ ■Is easily distracted from work or play
■ ■Often doesn’t seem to listen
■ ■Can’t stay seated
■ ■Frequently interrupts others
■ ■Often acts and speaks without thinking
It can be challenging to diagnose ADHD in children
younger than age 4 and in teenagers. But no matter your
child’s age, your child’s doctor can help.
“If you have questions about your child’s behavior, talk
to your pediatrician, family medicine, or behavioral health
provider,” says Layne Prest, PhD. “We can determine if your
child has ADHD or any other condition and get your family
moving toward the right treatment.”
What treatments are available?
Some parents worry that treating ADHD automatically
means medicating their child. That’s not necessarily the case.
Grown-ups
with ADHD
Attention-deficit/
hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) doesn’t just affect
children. Adults can have
it too.
According to the
National Resource Center
on ADHD, about 10 million
adults in the U.S. have
ADHD. They commonly
have problems like:
■ ■Losing or quitting jobs
frequently
■ ■Poor ability to manage
day-to-day tasks, such as
paying bills or completing
household chores
■ ■Relationship problems
■ ■Stress over failing
to meet goals and
responsibilities
■ ■Use of a variety of
substances to “self-
medicate”—attempting to
correct or cope with what
they experience on the
inside
Many of the treatments
that work well for children
with ADHD benefit adults
as well. Medication, a
structured environment,
and behavioral therapy can
help.
If you think you or a loved
one may have ADHD, talk
to a doctor.
Layne Prest, PhD
Psychology
Family Medicine
of Southwest Washington
100 E 33rd St., Suite 100
Vancouver, WA
360-514-7550
WhenADHDhits home
Treatment helps kids and parents alike
Concerned parent? Learn more about ADHD
symptoms and complete the symptom
checklist. Visit .
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