Diagnosis and Management of ADHD in Young Children

This focus will help, but will not be enough, and medication will be a critical part of treatment. Medication adds some risk, but the benefits to the child’s functioning and self-esteem often outweigh these risks.

Pediatricians will see and diagnose, and will be the primary treaters for, many young children with ADHD. One of the things that medication probably does best is reduce the amount of negative feedback because the child will not be as impulsive and will appear to have a longer attention span. Again, you can ask too much of a child, but you will see higher expectations if the child is taking medication that is working correctly.

Once ADHD is diagnosed in a young child, the pediatrician has a key role in trying to protect and enhance the child’s self-esteem, advising on the child’s day-to-day functioning, and supporting the overall care with appropriate use of medications.