Children and Adolescent ADHD

Subgroups There are differences between children with ADHD and typical children, but there are also differences are between ADHD subgroups. Most of the observed differences in the subgroups are oftentimes related to response inhibitions. It is important therefore to learn and understand the differences between typical children and children with ADHD as well as the differences in the ADHD children according to what subgroup they can be categorized.

Perhaps a more comprehensive understanding of the different subgroups would provide better treatment, more focused treatment, which would likely lead to better results from those treatments on an individual basis. With so many children experiencing ADHD, and the fact that ADHD can last through adulthood, a better understanding of the subgroups could be quite beneficial to a lot of ADHD sufferers.

Treatments With the misuse of stimulants becoming a major problem and the cost of medications exacerbating the problem, other effective treatments for ADHD are being sought and used in a variety of forms. Some include non-medical approaches, others advocate for complementing the current medical regime with atypical antipsychotic medicines. The problem with the atypical antipsychotic approach is that it can become much more expensive. Not only is there an increase in comparative spending across the pharmaceutical realm, there was also a huge increase in total healthcare costs. Pellow et al.

(2011) states that many parents are now seeking alternative treatments for their ADHD offspring due to the many concerns about side effects and the lingering questions over the long-term safety of prevalent medical treatments. According to the same study, many of the parents also feel strongly against such medical treatments. Additionally, the HRU (cost consequences) are often poorly understood and informed decision making on other treatment options would likely be beneficial in terms of cost, cost consequences, and treatment that is efficient and effective.

Another sobering reminder of the overall effects of ADHD medications should also be considered with the overall incidence of injuries requiring hospital admission likely to be exacerbated by the effects of so many different medical treatments. Kuo and Taylor (2004) stated that it is quite unfortunate that current ADHD treatments offer only limited relief from symptoms, often involve serious side effects and fall well short of the ideal treatment. Such statements oftentimes lead to the controversy that is the mantra of ADHD, at least regarding its causes.

Genes, psychosocial factors, pre and perinatal risks and even environmental toxins can be discussed as possible causes for ADHD, but so far there has not been one single risk factor that can be used to explain the onslaught of ADHD. Oftentimes the genetic contribution to ADHD does not necessarily translate into using medications as a treatment method, even though medical treatment is used in a vast majority of the cases.

One of the problems in treating ADHD is not just in not knowing or understanding the causes, but that stimulant medications are oftentimes prescribed as the first line of defense in treating the disorder. If the primary culprit could be pinned down, then it is more than conceivable.