Treatment Of ADHD In Children

Require 4-5 page essay in APA format. The subject is Treatment of ADHD in Children. Answer: There have been numerous studies to investigate the efficacy and safety of different treatments for ADHD in Children but three options have been proven to be very effective: behaviour modification, medication, and multi-modal approaches. According to the recent review reports, approximately 5% of the total child population of the world suffers from this particular disorder (Harding, Judah & Gant, 2003). Hence, inevitably there have been many treatment modalities that have been developed for the children that are suffering with ADHD. However, the effectiveness of the different treatment modalities depend on the severity of the disease population (CHADD, 2018). Although it also is needed to be highlighted that behavioral modification, medication and multi-modal approach had been reported to be very effective in symptom management of ADHD. This essay will argue the effectiveness and efficiency of the mentioned three treatment options for children with ADHD. As described by Laver-Bradbury (2013), ADHD can be defined as the pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder that is primarily manifested with the help of a triad of symptoms such as the domains of over-activity, impulsivity, and inattention. Although ADHD is a condition that has been analyzed for close to 200 years, there still absence of an undisputable cure for the condition, only a few treatment options that can help in symptom management. Behavioral management has been reported to be one of the most effective treatment options available for ADHD, and it is one of the most abundantly used preliminary treatment measures for children that are suffering from ADHD. According to Enns et al. (2017), the behavioral intervention can effectively target and manage the symptomatic triad of ADHD, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattention. On a more elaborative note, as per the report by Harding, Judah and Gant (2003), behavioral management is one of the most abundantly used non-pharmacological treatment modalities that is opted for the ADHD and the impairments that this particular disorder is associated with. The authors have also indicated that parent-child focused behavioral training is one very popular and beneficial treatment option for better symptom management of ADHD children. The behavioral therapies do not target the symptoms of the ADHD, rather the behavioral therapies help the children and their parents develop skills that will help them better manage or control the symptoms, in turn improving the quality of life for the children with ADHD. Along with that, Anrig (2007), has argued that behavioral therapies also give the ADHD children the chance to develop strategies that can help them stay focused and organized. Another group of authors have also argued the fact that behavioral modifications have also been reported to be successful in reducing disruptive behaviors in the children, improving the personal and social lives of the ADHD children as well. However, behavioral therapies only help in developing skills in the ADHDF children to better control and manage the symptoms associated with the ADHD, however it does not essentially have any curative effect on the symptom manifestation of this disease. Hence, the second most important intervention for the ADHD children is the medications. The medications that are prescribed for the ADHD belong to the class of stimulants. The most commonly used medications that are in the place for the ADHD are the amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, Dexmethylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine, and methylphenidate. However, along with that, there are certain non-stimulant medications are also administered to the ADHD patients, these medications include atomoxetine, clonidine, and guanfacine. According to Laver-Bradbury (2013), stimulants are the class of medication that target the neurotransmitter dopamine and plays a fundamental role in improving the focus and motivation in these children. The stimulants can be both long acting and short acting medications, and these medications also help in improving the control of the ADHD children’s movement and emotional responses. Although, researchers are of the opinion that the stimulant medications are associated with a variety of side effects such as fatigue, loss of appetite, anxiety, irritability, and insomnia; as a result many ADHD patients, especially the children do not positively respond to the stimulants. The non-stimulants on the other hand are not associated with many side effects, and they function by increasing the activity of norepinephrine (Harding, Judah & Gant, 2003). However, the most recent research is indicative of the fact that the most effective treatment for the ADHD, especially in the children, is the combination approach to treatment or the multimodal approach. The multimodal approach to treatment encompasses the combination of medications, psycho-education, behavioral therapy, and coaching support, all of the intervention modes working in tandem synergistically, in a fashion where each of the treatment modalities enhances the effectiveness of the other one. As per Enns et al., (2017), the multimodal treatment approach for the ADHD children was introduced with the idea that no single intervention technique is enough for the adequate management of the disease. On a more elaborative note, a child that is going through the ADHD will not just need medications to target the physiological alterations of the disorder. Rather the ADHD children will require the assistance of skills to control the manifestation of the symptoms, psycho-education and the coaching support from the experts (Advice on ADHD from parents, 2010). Considering all three options mentioned above from treatment of ADHD for the children, research has suggested that multimodal treatment option involving both the medications and psychosocial interventions together is the most effective. On a more elaborative note, Laver-Bradbury (2013), has mentioned that a treatment plan involving pharmacological interventions along with psychotherapies including behavioral therapies have been reported to function much better than when emphasizing on only one of the treatment options. Although, there have been certain arguments on the extent of effectiveness of all of the three treatment methods. For instance, Anrig (2007) has stated that the aid of dietary supplements including vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, amino acids, essential fatty acids, phospholipids and probiotics, when given in conjunction with prescribed medications, indicating at the importance of chiropractic practice within the construct of multimodal treatment approach. On the other hand, Hirshberg (2010) has stated the fact that even though the stimulant medications are the most common form of treatment for the ADHD children, it is not sufficient in improving quality of life on its own. The author has argued that the assistance of cognitive behavioral therapy has also potential in increasing memory and enhancing better coping skills in the ADHD children improving their quality of life. In support, Laver-Bradbury (2013) has stated that multimodal interventions are successful treatment option for ADHD, especially in chronic conditions. Quoting the author, “medication alone is not effective enough in treatment of these chronic conditions”, and hence combination of medication, behavioral therapies and educational or coaching support is extremely necessary. Lastly ADHD is a condition that demands all levels of support for adequate medical management of the disease. The author compared medical and behavioral interventions for ADHD with the combination of both, which indicated at better outcomes achieved by the multimodal approach, other than only one method. On a concluding note, ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be defined as one of the most commonly reported and diagnosed psychiatric disorders that is observed in the children, and hence, it is crucial for the discovering a treatment measure that can better improve the quality of life for ADHD children. The essay had been successful in establishing behavioral, medication based, and multimodal treatment approach as three most abundantly used interventions for ADHD. Although, the essay could successfully discover that only behavioral or medication based intervention cannot effectively manage ADHD, the multimodal approach involving a combination of both, on the other hand, is the most effective intervention for ADHD children. References: Advice on ADHD from parents. (2010 July). Consumer Reports. Retrieved from https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2013/01/the-pros-and-cons-of-treating-adhd-with-drugs/index.htm Anrig, C. (2007). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dynamic Chiropractic, 25(26), 14-14,40. Enns, J. E., Randall, J. R., Smith, M., Chateau, D., Taylor, C., Brownell, M., … & Nickel, N. C. (2017). A multimodal intervention for children with ADHD reduces inequity in health and education outcomes. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 62(6), 403-412. Harding, K. L., Judah, R. D., & Gant, C. E. (2003). Outcome-based comparison of Ritalin® versus food-supplement treated children with AD/HD. Alternative Medicine Review, 8(3), 319-330. Hirshberg, L.M. (2010). Treating ADHD: Exploring the need for evidence-based options. (cover story). Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter, 26(1), 1-6 Laver-Bradbury, C. (2013). ADHD in children: An overview of treatment. Nurse Prescribing, 11(12), 597-601 Medications Used in the Treatment of ADHD | CHADD. (2018). Chadd.org. Retrieved 18 June 2018, from https://www.chadd.org/Understanding-ADHD/For-Parents-Caregivers/Treatment-Overview/Medication-Chart.aspx Psychosocial Treatments for Children and Adolescents | CHADD. (2018). Chadd.org. Retrieved 18 June 2018, from https://www.chadd.org/Understanding-ADHD/For-Parents-Caregivers/Treatment-Overview/Psychosocial-Treatments.aspx

Treatment Of ADHD In Children

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