Study Document
Mini-Script with Tonya’s Parents
Counselor: What are some of your concerns about Tonya’s diagnosis of ADHD?
Parent: We are mainly concerned about putting her on drugs. I heard the medications they are giving children are basically speed.
Counselor: You are right to be concerned about the use of ADHD medications, and I advocate a cautionary approach to pharmaceutical interventions. This is especially true in Tonya’s case, since she is ten years old and her brain is still developing. Tonya seems to be well-adjusted, motivated, and has a good attitude so there is no reason why we cannot first explore a wide range of treatment options to help her address the difficulties she is having in terms of remaining focused. Are you aware of some of the counseling options available, which we can try first?
Parent: I’m aware of a few but would prefer some insight into which of those options is best for Tonya and which are most affordable, too. Also, how do we know if medication is necessary? We don’t want to put her on the meds prematurely, but we also want her to get good grades and will do what we can to help.
Counselor: Some behavior therapies do involve your participation in what is known as parent training (CDC, 2020). Are you interested in learning more about what you can do to help Tonya?
Parent: Yes, of course.
Counselor: Great, I will give you more information about behavioral counseling. It mainly involves strategies for communicating with Tonya, as well as valuable parenting and discipline skills that have been proven to work. As long as we start the counseling intervention immediately, I would say that we are doing the best thing for Tonya. Launching into medications without trying counseling alone first would be doing her a great disservice.
References
CDC (2020). Treatment of ADHD. Retrieved: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/treatment.html
Study Document
ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a common childhood problem affecting as much as 3-5% of the school-age population. The core symptoms of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Children with ADHD exhibit functional impairment across multiple settings and engage in disruptive behaviors, thus inviting criticism from adults and peer rejection. Psycho stimulant medication has been shown to be reasonably successful, but may produce significant side effects in a
Study Document
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder presents itself in many different ways for many different people. It is further complicated by the fact that there are three types of ADHD recognized by the DSM-IV and even further evidence that females and males manifest the disorder in different ways. ADHD has been a challenge to school administrators for many years. The symptoms of the disorder not only interfere with the educational process of
Study Document
But Canada took steps to defer sales of the medicine which was provoked by 20 sudden losses of lives; out of 14 were children, among those consuming the prescribed doses of Adderall XR. There were reported cases of about a dozen strokes, two among children. The deaths took place during 1999 in the United States. The Canadian retracting of the drug Adderall XR will not drive similar steps in
Study Document
It is easier to focus on ADHD statistics for children of school age (5-17 years old), because diagnosing ADHD in preschool aged children is difficult. Data from the NHIS indicate that: In 2001-2004, 7.7% of children ages 5-17 were reported to have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nine percent of White non-Hispanic children, 8% of Black non-Hispanic children, 2% of Asian non-Hispanic children, and 4% of Hispanic children were
Study Document
Swanson, Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, CA 92715
Gender:
Age: ____ Grade:
Ethnicity (circle one which best applies): African-American Asian Caucasian Hispanic
Other
Completed by:____ Type of Class:
Class size:
For each item, check the column which best describes this child:
Not at Just a Quite
Bit
Much
1. Often fails to give close attention to details or
Study Document
ADD/ADHD Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are both behavioral illnesses that are affecting a growing number of children and teenagers. Currently, more boys than girls are diagnosed with ADHD. A number of adults are also being diagnosed with adult-onset ADHD. Furthermore, an estimated one-third of children diagnosed with ADHD will continue to have symptoms until adulthood (Weyandt et al. 2003). Through greater exposure in the media and