ADHD Diagnosis and Medication Management

Due to improved detection and better treatment options, it is now estimated that 1 in 9 children in the US has ADHD.

At GROW Pediatrics, we’re able to diagnose and treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). To make a diagnosis during a problem-based visit, we will interview parents and child, taking note of your family history, reports of your child’s symptoms, and input from the teachers and other family members. We will send you home with NICHQ Vanderbilt forms to complete to help us in our assessment of your child. These will need to be filled out by two separate adult caregivers at home and two separate teachers who know your child well. Input from the school psychologist is usually helpful too, especially if your child has had a Full Individual and Initial evaluation (FIIE). Because of the implications for medication, we take this diagnosis process seriously, and in some cases it may involve more than one or two visits.

If a diagnosis has already been made by an independent psychologist by way of a neuropsychological evaluation, we can usually accept that as a diagnosis and move forward with treatment. There is a list of psychologists that do this type of diagnostic evaluation on our website here.

There are many options for treatment of ADHD including behavioral interventions such as therapies and coaching, as well as various classes of medications. Medications that can be used to treat patients with ADHD include stimulants (such as methylphenidate or mixed-amphetamines), non-stimulants such as atomoxetine, and some anti-depressant medications as well. Our pediatricians regularly treat children with this diagnosis, and we are very comfortable selecting and managing appropriate medications. ADHD is considered a learning disability by schools and the diagnosis will help your child to qualify for accommodations. Some suggested accommodations are included here.

For high school-aged patients with ADHD, they may also benefit from accommodations for AP tests or other standardized tests such as the SAT. The college board has information about that here.

If your child prescribed medication for their ADHD, we will want you to bring them in for visits regularly to assess vital signs, growth and side effects. We monitor closely to make sure your child is tolerating their medication, in addition to having improvement in their symptoms. Most stimulant medications require visits every 1-3 months until symptoms are stabilized. It is very important that ADHD medications are not shared or given to anyone for whom they are not prescribed.