Is it hard getting the medication just right for a child with adhd?

Getting medications: Right is a challenge in any patient and any disorder. That is part of the "art" of medicine.

Not always: Medicine is an art as well as a science.A careful history and physical exam, and proper initial evaluation, is a good start.Monitoring meds, efficacy, side effects closely a must.Continous performance tests, and parent and teacher follow up rating scales as well as periodic reassesment are helpful in optimizing med response.Goal setting is important and helps assess progress.

Many variables: In a study reported by nimh, up to 90% of adhd patients responded to stimulant medication. Helping the other 10% is more tricky. The standard of care is to "normalize" the patients' neurological status. Often, other medications, particularly otc, can impact the effectiveness of treatment. Also, comorbid conditions can impact effectiveness as well. That's why it's important to have competent doc.

It's a process: Experience in diagnosis of chidren with adhd & co-existing conditions helps us initiate a med. & dose, plan a titration schedule to reach an optimal dose & decide if/when to add adjunctive medicine. It takes time to educate parents about how the meds work, possible side effects, how/when to provide parent//teacher feedback, etc. When we all invest in the process, it works very well 90% of the time.

Can be tricky: Getting the right dose and right medication can be tricky. It is very important that the diagnosis be confirmed with appropriate testing. If you are having difficulty getting the treatment that works, ask for a referral to a pediatric neurologist.