

Several different types of medications are FDA-approved to treat ADHD in children as young as 6 years of age :

Medication can help children manage their ADHD symptoms in their everyday life and can help them control the behaviors that cause difficulties with family, friends, and at school. The long-term effects of ADHD medications on young children have not been well-studied.Young children have more side effects from ADHD medications than older children.Parent training in behavior management has been shown to work as well as medication for ADHD in young children.Parent training in behavior management gives parents the skills and strategies to help their child.Children younger than 6 years of ageįor young children with ADHD, behavior therapy is an important first step before trying medication because: For children who attend early childhood programs, it is usually most effective if parents and educators work together to help the child. These approaches can also be used together. Behavioral interventions in the classroom.Parent training in behavior management.The goals of behavior therapy are to learn or strengthen positive behaviors and eliminate unwanted or problem behaviors. Behavior therapy is a treatment option that can help reduce these behaviors it is often helpful to start behavior therapy as soon as a diagnosis is made. Children with ADHD often show behaviors that can be very disruptive to others. Behavior Therapy, Including Training for ParentsĪDHD affects not only a child’s ability to pay attention or sit still at school, it also affects relationships with family and other children. To learn more about AAP recommendations for the treatment of children with ADHD, visit the Recommendations page. Good treatment plans will include close monitoring of whether and how much the treatment helps the child’s behavior, as well as making changes as needed along the way.

Learn more about how the school environment can be part of treatment. AAP recommendations also include adding behavioral classroom intervention and school supports. Schools can be part of the treatment as well. For children 6 years of age and older, the recommendations include medication and behavior therapy together - parent training in behavior management for children up to age 12 and other types of behavior therapy and training for adolescents.

