Andrew
10-03-05, 09:10 AM
From Las Cruces Sun-News
News
ADD/ADHD treatment means more than just taking a pill
Argen Duncan/Sun-News reporter
Oct 3, 2005, 10:51 pm
When Jo Galván’s stepson, Skyler, came to live with her and her husband as a second-grader, he fidgeted constantly and couldn’t concentrate, read or remember more than one instruction at a time.
He was eventually diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder and given medication.
“And immediately there was a turn-around on him being able to focus and remember instructions,” she said, adding that his grades also improved.
“We were so happy to know we were able to treat him with medication, and he was happy,” said Galván, who also is the Las Cruces school district spokeswoman.
Skyler is now 12 and living with his mother and stepfather in Arizona. Though he still struggles, he’s made progress, Galván said.
People with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder are hyperactive and impulsive, while those with ADD have trouble concentrating but aren’t disruptive. Some patients show symptoms of both, according to the National Institute of Mental Health Web site.
ADD and ADHD can occur in children and adults.
Robert Rhodes, head of the New Mexico State University Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, said other problems could cause the same symptoms.
“You want to be able to spend the time talking to (your child’s doctors) to be sure you rule out different other possible areas of concern,” he said.
Las Cruces pediatrician Tim Herndon, who has ADHD, said people should generally think of the disorders as a “brain operating condition that doesn’t change with time.”
However, he said many children eventually need less medication. He said he believes most learn to manage the condition and medication early in life helps them to function.
Rhodes recommended starting treatment with a behavior modification plan and later adding medication if needed. Medication alone doesn’t teach them what proper behavior is, he said.
“Over time, they’ll pick up on these things as they’re able to better attend,” he said. “But if you can specifically focus on the skills they need to develop, they’ll be able to develop these skills more readily and in a shorter period of time.”
Rhodes said parents need to feel free to ask questions and monitor treatments to be sure they work.
Herndon said some parents try non-medical treatments such as herbs and caffeine. However, he said most are willing to try medication within a year.
Herndon said stimulant medications help with ADD and ADHD symptoms but may decrease appetite and proper weight gain or hamper growth.
“It’s not real common, but it does happen,” he said.
Some children on stimulants may have trouble sleeping, but many have this problem anyway, he said.
Non-stimulants don’t have the side effects but work only for some children with ADD, Herndon said. They don’t help ADHD.
He also said children with ADHD or ADD often need counseling.
Causes of the conditions are unclear.
“There’s a lot of controversy about it,” Herndon said.
Different research suggests causes, including illness or lack of oxygen affecting the brain, too little of the chemicals that stimulate responses in the nervous system, and genetic influences.
http://www.lcsun-news.com/artman/publish/printer_19852.shtml
News
ADD/ADHD treatment means more than just taking a pill
Argen Duncan/Sun-News reporter
Oct 3, 2005, 10:51 pm
When Jo Galván’s stepson, Skyler, came to live with her and her husband as a second-grader, he fidgeted constantly and couldn’t concentrate, read or remember more than one instruction at a time.
He was eventually diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder and given medication.
“And immediately there was a turn-around on him being able to focus and remember instructions,” she said, adding that his grades also improved.
“We were so happy to know we were able to treat him with medication, and he was happy,” said Galván, who also is the Las Cruces school district spokeswoman.
Skyler is now 12 and living with his mother and stepfather in Arizona. Though he still struggles, he’s made progress, Galván said.
People with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder are hyperactive and impulsive, while those with ADD have trouble concentrating but aren’t disruptive. Some patients show symptoms of both, according to the National Institute of Mental Health Web site.
ADD and ADHD can occur in children and adults.
Robert Rhodes, head of the New Mexico State University Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders, said other problems could cause the same symptoms.
“You want to be able to spend the time talking to (your child’s doctors) to be sure you rule out different other possible areas of concern,” he said.
Las Cruces pediatrician Tim Herndon, who has ADHD, said people should generally think of the disorders as a “brain operating condition that doesn’t change with time.”
However, he said many children eventually need less medication. He said he believes most learn to manage the condition and medication early in life helps them to function.
Rhodes recommended starting treatment with a behavior modification plan and later adding medication if needed. Medication alone doesn’t teach them what proper behavior is, he said.
“Over time, they’ll pick up on these things as they’re able to better attend,” he said. “But if you can specifically focus on the skills they need to develop, they’ll be able to develop these skills more readily and in a shorter period of time.”
Rhodes said parents need to feel free to ask questions and monitor treatments to be sure they work.
Herndon said some parents try non-medical treatments such as herbs and caffeine. However, he said most are willing to try medication within a year.
Herndon said stimulant medications help with ADD and ADHD symptoms but may decrease appetite and proper weight gain or hamper growth.
“It’s not real common, but it does happen,” he said.
Some children on stimulants may have trouble sleeping, but many have this problem anyway, he said.
Non-stimulants don’t have the side effects but work only for some children with ADD, Herndon said. They don’t help ADHD.
He also said children with ADHD or ADD often need counseling.
Causes of the conditions are unclear.
“There’s a lot of controversy about it,” Herndon said.
Different research suggests causes, including illness or lack of oxygen affecting the brain, too little of the chemicals that stimulate responses in the nervous system, and genetic influences.
http://www.lcsun-news.com/artman/publish/printer_19852.shtml