![]() If more severe side effects occur, stimulants can be stopped immediately without needing to slowly reduce the If side effects do occur, they can often be managed by changing the dose or the time that the medication is given. Some children will have no side effects at all. the child becoming irritable, withdrawn or highly emotional. ![]() The most common side effect of stimulants is decreased appetite (especially for lunch), which can sometimes affect weight gain. These medications can be helpful for some children with ADHD, such as those who experience side effects with stimulants. Non-stimulant medications are also available, for example, atomoxetine (Strattera), clonidine and guanfacine (Intuniv). Some children only take them on school days, and don’t experience any withdrawal effects on weekends. They are not addictive in the doses used to treat ADHD. Stimulant medication is probably the most highly researched of any medication prescribed for children. In Australia, stimulant medications are regulated and can only be prescribed by paediatricians, child psychiatrists or neurologists (and GPs in certain situations). ![]() The short-acting forms usually last about three to four hours while long acting forms can last between six to 12 hours. Stimulants can be short acting or long acting. Both have similar actions and side effects. The two most common stimulants used in Australia are methylphenidate and dexamphetamine. These medications greatly improve concentration, impulse control and hyperactivity in about 80 per cent of children with ADHD. Stimulants act on the parts of the brain involved in controlling attention and arousal (being alert and awake). About one to two per cent of children in Australia are prescribed stimulant medication. The most effective treatment for the symptoms of ADHD is stimulant medication, which has been the standard treatment for children with ADHD since the 1970s. If after trying these strategies your child’s symptoms are still having a big impact on their life, your doctor may recommend medication. These include sticking to a routine, building social skills and planning your child’s learning environment. Sometimes counselling for yourĬhild or the family is also needed. See our fact sheetĪDHD – ways to help children at school and home. You can help your child manage their ADHD symptoms by using positive parenting strategies, along with a range of home and classroom strategies. These need to be assessed and managed alongside the ADHD. Most children with ADHD also have other related problems, such as learning difficulties, sleep problems or anxiety. Speech pathologist, may also become involved in your child's assessment. There is no test for ADHD – the assessment is made using a wide range of information provided by both the family and your child’s school. Other health professionals, such as a It is important to make sure the symptoms are not caused by something else, which may need different treatment. They can arrange a referral to a paediatrician or a child psychologist, who will be able to assess your child. If you are concerned about your child, see your GP initially. However, if your child has symptoms of ADHD, which are causing problems for your child, you should have your child assessed for ADHD and related problems.Ī diagnosis of ADHD must be made by a trained and experienced health professional. It is important to remember that all young children have a limited attention span and sometimes do things without thinking, but only a few have ADHD. Sometimes the term 'inattentive ADHD' is used to describe this condition. These children have trouble focussing and paying attention, and can be forgetful and easily distracted. Some children have ADHD, but without the hyperactivity.
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