Your Role in ADHD
The treatment most often suggested for ADHD is a combination of medication, some type of psychotherapy, including behavior modification, parental counseling, and treatment of any coexisting learning disorder. Teachers are often in a position to notice changes in a child's behavior due to treatment, and as a result, you can provide information and aid to the child, his or her parents, other school personnel, and anyone else involved in the child's care.

Children who take medications have regular checkups, and doctors usually ask that parents talk regularly with their child's teacher(s) to see how the child is doing. These talks are especially important when medicine is first started, restarted, or when the dosage is changed.By keeping the lines of communication open and having conversations with parents about their children's treatment, you can take an active role in the management of your student's condition.

Your Role in Medication

The treatment section of this site, How is ADHD Treated? discusses the types of medication used for the treatment of ADHD. However, just knowing about the medicines is not enough. School policy will determine your degree of involvement in supporting the treatment of the child taking medication for ADHD, but the following may prepare you for the observations you may need to make and the questions you may be asked to answer. Remember, your observations are important.

• Know if a child is taking medication, what the medication is, and if medication has to be taken during school hours. Talk with the school nurse as necessary. In some schools the teacher may meet with or talk to the child's doctor or therapist to gain information about the child's treatment. Write down any information you are given and ask questions until you have a firm understanding of what is required of you. As with all medicines, it is important that medicine for ADHD be taken exactly as directed.
  
  
• Know the timing of a child's medication so you can observe variations during the day. For example, note if the child becomes slightly hyperactive and irritable for a brief period when the medicine wears off.
  
  
• Know what changes to expect in a child just starting medicine-for example, is the child more attentive, better about completing tasks, etc.?
  
  
• Know what side effects may occur with any particular medication and what actions you need to take if any do occur. For example, does the child complain of headache or stomachache?
  
  
• Be aware of how the child's behavior and school performance change with long-term use of the medication. Is the child better able to function in school, and is he or she improving in relationships with peers? Has the child's self-esteem improved? You-and the parents-should know that a child's symptoms may crop up again, become exaggerated, or new one will arise when the child is under stress. Situations that are only annoying for most children can be quite stressful for a child with ADHD.
  
  
• Know when a child stops taking medication or starts to take a new medication or a new dosage, and what changes may occur. Nine out of 10 children improve on a "stimulant" drug, but sometimes a medication will be tried for a week and if necessary the dosage or the medication may be switched.
  
  
• Some doctors take children off medicine from time to time to see how they will do. You should be aware of the change and the reason for it since you may be asked to help evaluate the behavior.
  
  
• Assumptions about medication based on single-case scenarios should not be made. Different doctors use medicines in slightly different ways and different children have different needs. Ask for specific instructions for medication for each child. A doctor works closely with each child to be sure the medication is appropriate.
  
  
• Recognize that the medications do not create the change in the child... they only make it possible for the child's strengths and natural abilities to show through the cloud of ADHD.
  
  
• Respect the child's confidentiality. Medical matters should only be discussed with those involved in the child's care.

If parents ask...

If parents have questions about the doctor's or therapist's instructions, you can encourage them to ask their healthcare professional for clarification or further instructions. Make it clear that it is important for them-and for their child-to understand and follow the doctor's medical advice about medication and other therapies for ADHD. ADHD is a serious condition that may require the child to be on medication and undergo counseling for a long duration. If your school approves, you can refer the parents to an ADHD family support group or to supportive web sites such as this one.

There are many myths and facts about the treatment of ADHD that parents may ask you about. Many people think ADHD is related to eating sugar and food additives but excess sugar and food additives do not usually cause ADHD. Restricting foods containing artificial flavorings, preservatives, and sugars has been found by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help only about 5% of children with ADHD and these children are mostly either very young or have food allergies.

There are a number of alterative therapies offered for the treatment of ADHD. However, there is no scientific proof of the effectiveness of the following in treating children with ADHD.

The following is a list provided by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):

• Biofeedback
• Restricted diet (mostly sugar, artificial coloring, and additives)
• Allergy treatment
• Inner ear medications
• Megavitamins
• Chiropractic adjustment and bone realignment
• Treatment for yeast infections
• Eye training or special colored glasses

If parents ask about the above treatments, you should inform them that the most effective demonstrated treatment involves a combination of medication, psychotherapy, and support from caregivers, including parents, other family members, and you.