How Is ADHD Treated for Children and Adults?

ADHD is a neurotype that involves a set of behaviors and traits that stem from how a person's brain works. Discovering that you have ADHD can lead to greater self-awareness and understanding, but it can also come with challenges. Because of this, it is important for people with ADHD brains to have the right accommodations and support from people with lived experience, such as therapists and doctors who have ADHD themselves. 

ADHD is not a condition that needs to be "cured." The challenges people experience due to their neurotype result from living in a neurotypical-focused society. With the right support and accommodations that foster a positive environment and reinforce the strengths of ADHD brains, people with this neurotype can thrive.

Though ADHD treatment is often associated with prescription drugs, that's not the only treatment available. However, while ADHD medication is often stigmatized, there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking medication to help Therapy, accommodations, connection with other ADHD adults, and lifestyle changes can also help reduce distress for ADHD folks.

The goal is to make life easier and more manageable for the ADHD person while working towards a goal of self-acceptance and accommodations from loved ones and society as a whole. De-centering neurotypical norms will significantly relieve the distress of neurodivergent folks, including ADHDers.

Medication

Medication is the most common treatment for ADHD. If you or your child is prescribed medication, it is important to monitor how you feel and report any side effects. With this information, your doctor can adjust the prescription until the right therapeutic dose is found.

The two main groups of medication for treating ADHD are stimulants and non-stimulants.

Stimulants

It might sound counterintuitive to prescribe someone who is hyperactive a stimulant. However, stimulants reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity and increase attention.

Common stimulants include:

• Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine)
• Concerta (methylphenidate extended release)
• Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine)
• Dyanavel XR (amphetamine)
• Focalin (dexmethylphenidate)
• Metadate (methylphenidate hydrochloride)
• Ritalin (methylphenidate)

Non-Stimulants

While stimulants are usually the first medication prescribed to treat ADHD, sometimes a non-stimulant might be used instead. This may be chosen if you or your child experienced negative side effects with stimulant medication. Sometimes your doctor might prescribe both a stimulant and non-stimulant.

Examples of non-stimulant medication are:

• Catapres (clonidine)
• Intuniv (guanfacine)
• Qelbree (viloxazine)
• Strattera (atomoxetine)
• Wellbutrin XL (bupropion hydrochloride)
  

Behavioral Strategies

The environment that is helpful for ADHD is unique to each person with ADHD. Many ADHDers struggle with too much structure, while others really benefit from it.

Accommodations should be tailored to the needs of each individual with ADHD, whether that person is a kid or an adult.

• Utilize individual strengths: There are ways to use and embrace ADHD for success. Some examples are hyperfocus and switching tasks when the motivation has decreased/gone away to a new subject and returning to the old task when the motivation has returned.
• Add novelty: ADHD brains are also all about novelty (as that provides more dopamine) so when there are ways to use that to an advantage, it can be easier to get tasks done and incorporate that into the environment.
• Add variety: Routines can be helpful for some people, but they are often very difficult for people with ADHD. Repetitive tasks quickly become boring, which means it can be nearly impossible to get done unless accommodations are made. Adding novelty to routines can be a helpful way to avoid boredom. This might involve rotating routines on different days or having extra breaks to engage in desirable tasks or activities.
• Creating checklists: A checklist can be made for any multi-step process that seems complicated or stressful. It acts as a memory aid and helps you or your child feel organized. For example, you might tape a checklist to the front door listing everything you or your child needs for the day. Checklists can be helpful but can also become boring for the ADHD brain. Ways to make this more interesting include using colorful paper and having lots of options for customizing the list. Another option is to have a "menu" of options so that there can be a list of stuff to do so that the ADHD brain can pick which one sounds the best on any given day.
• Using visual timers: To help you or your child pay attention to homework or a work project, set a visual timer for 15 minutes (indicating a dedicated time of focus) and place it where it can be easily seen. When it rings, have a mini-break and then set your timer again.
• Setting alarms: You can set alarms to remind you or your child to take medication or leave the house. Alarms can be empowering because they reduce the need for reminders from others.
• Using planners: Using a planner helps with understanding the passage of time and what is planned for the day, and marks deadlines, like when assignments need to be handed in.

Parent Support

Parental support is critical for families to thrive (both for ADHD kids/parents and other neurotypes). Such support can include:

• Learning about the neurodiversity (ND) paradigm
• Learning about ADHD from ADHD adults
• Joining communities that center neurodiversity
• Therapy (individual and family) from an ND-affirming provider
  

Social Support

Making connections with other neurodivergent people is also important. Developing a sense of community can help people with ADHD feel accepted and accommodated rather than having to mask.

While masking may help disguise some traits, it also creates other problems. It can delay diagnosis, meaning people don't get the support and accommodations they need to succeed. It also creates inward stress, anxiety, and depression. 

Connecting with other ADHDers can help people feel more comfortable being their authentic selves.

Counseling and Psychotherapy

Research has found therapy must be customized to each person to be effective for people living with ADHD. It helps to develop self-acceptance and accommodations for your ADHD traits. Importantly, it can also help with the shame and neurodivergent trauma that affects many people with ADHD.

Working with a counselor or therapist can be a helpful way to address issues that result from living with ADHD, including job losses and relationship issues. It can also be helpful for people who are living with co-existing conditions, like depression and anxiety. Most importantly, it can help with developing self-compassion and self-acceptance of your neurodivergence.

Finding healthcare professionals that have lived experience with neurodivergence, specifically ADHD, can be especially validating. They are knowledgeable about figuring out the best plan after discovering your ADHD. When your provider lives in the same neurodivergent world as you, they have a lot more understanding of your experience compared to a neurotypical expert.

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Coaching

Creating more structure in your life can also be helpful But it's hard to establish a consistent routine and to get organized when you have ADHD.

ADHD coaches can provide accountability as you are creating this structure. They might also help you or your child set goals, develop new habits, learn new skills, research accommodations and resources, and work to get these integrated into your life.

The coach might also act as a "body double." A body double is a person who keeps you company while you perform a difficult task.

Many people with ADHD struggle with boring, mundane, or multi-step tasks like housework, decluttering, and filing taxes. They might procrastinate starting or get side-tracked and leave a project half completed.

A body double sits in the same room with you while you carry out these tasks. Their physical presence helps you to keep focused on the task and reduces any anxiety you might be feeling.

Support Groups

Support groups offer education, emotional support, and encouragement to parents of children with ADHD and to individuals who have ADHD. Being with people who understand your struggles, without you even having to explain them, can provide great comfort and a feeling of belonging.

Support groups are also a great place to learn about resources in your area, such as a particularly knowledgeable ADHD doctor. Sometimes support groups have guest speakers, and other times you can simply share your experiences.

Accommodations

When a person has been officially diagnosed with ADHD, they are eligible for accommodations. This means a child can receive accommodations at school, and an adult can have them in the workplace.

Some people feel shy asking for accommodations because they do not want to draw attention to themselves, or feel like they are making a fuss. However, accommodations are there to support you.

Examples of student accommodations include getting help writing notes in class, recording lectures, and being able to take an exam in a quiet room. Speak to the teacher at school or the student disability center for more information on making these arrangements.

Examples of workplace accommodations include wearing noise-canceling headphones or working flexible hours. Another is to put up a "do not disturb" sign, even if this is not office policy. Speak to your boss or human resources about workplace accommodations that may help you.

JAN, the Job Accommodation Network, is an excellent resource with more information about ADHD accommodations with ideas for different options depending on a person's limitations or specific work functions.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes, such as getting important nutrients from food and accessible movement may also help ADHD brains function more smoothly. A good way to incorporate these changes into your life is to make them as enjoyable as possible, as motivation is a big part of ADHD. Pick a type of movement that is fun for you and does not feel like another "to do" on your list.

For example, dancing around the house, a walk in the part, cleaning the house, and group sports are just a few ideas. If you are moving your body, it counts as movement, even if it doesn't fall into the typical categories for individual exercise.

Education

Learning as much as you can about what ADHD is and how it shows up for you or your child is possibly the most important part of the process.

The core challenges of ADHD vary from one individual to the next. It is important to remember that many of these challenges stem from neurodivergent people being expected to fit in to a neurotypical society. 

Luckily, there is more information about ADHD available than ever before. The most useful information comes from adults with lived experience of ADHD.

You can learn from websites, books, and podcasts. Consider attending classes held locally, or national conferences like the CHADD annual conference. And always remember to keep an open dialogue with doctors.

You can also follow social media creators with ADHD who make content about their experiences with ADHD. Some examples are Neurodivergent Rebel, Lived Experience Educator, and How to ADHD.

Complementary Approaches

There are a variety of complementary support strategies that have been studied for ADHD. None have been conclusively shown to be more effective than conventional approaches. It's important to discuss any of these complementary approaches with your doctor and mental health professionals before starting them.

Here are some complementary approaches that have been looked at for ADHD:

• Acupuncture
• Ginkgo biloba
• Omega-3 fatty acids
  
• Meditation therapies
• Melatonin
  
• Neurofeedback
  
• St. John's wort
• Yoga