Treating Adhd with or Without Medication

Treating ADHD With or Without Medication

Maurice A. Murphy Sr

Argument Paper # 4

November 07, 2006

As a parent with a child that has been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, I didn't do my research on the disorder or its treatment; I just follow what the doctor's order and did what he advises me to do.

All I could think about was making him, my son better: helping him to focus, follow instruction, and doing his best in school.

As parents it is up to us to find the right and appropriate treatment for are children, to learn as much as we can about ADHD and to work closely with our doctors. You also need the help from your child's, teachers and other family members for your child to have the best possible treatment and outcome.

What is Attention - Deficit - Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD? ADHD is developmental disorder of self-control. It is made up of three parts: inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.

"According to Neurologist Dr. Fred Baughman, 500,000 children in the United States of America were diagnosed ADHD in 1985 and between 5 and 7 million today" (Collier 2006).

There is no cure for ADHD, but the symptoms can be managed and controlled with medication and behavioral therapy.

There is several ways you can approach your child's treatment: Behavior therapy alone, Medication alone, are a combination of medication and behavior therapy.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has a set course of action for the treating ADHD.

* Set specific, appropriate target goals to guide therapy.

* Medication and/or behavior therapy should be started.

* When treatment has not met the target goals, evaluate the original diagnosis, the possible presence of other conditions, and how well the treatment plan has been implemented.

* Systematic follow-up is important to regularly reassess target goals, results, and any side effects of medication. Information should be gathered from parents, teachers, and the child.

There is no magical pill you can give your child, but for most children the medication severs as the basis for their treatment. The most common treatment is a stimulant. There are several brand of stimulant to treat ADHD on the market; "Adderall XR, Concerta, Metadate ER, Metadate CD, Ritalin, Ritalin LA, Dexedrine, Focalin and Focalin XR. The FDA approved Strattera; a non-stimulant and the first new drug in three