Treating Toddlers With ADHD

The cause of Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (ADHD) is still a mystery. There are many theories about the etiology of this puzzling disorder, including heredity and brain abnormalities visible on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans, but no definitive conclusions exist. Medical science does know that ADHD has no connection to a child's dietary habits. ADHD is not caused - or cured- by nutrition and diets.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association, Version Four, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR), the primary symptoms of ADHD include lack of attention, inability to listen and follow directions, forgetfulness, unorganized, impulsive behavior, fidgeting and restless body movements, excessive talking and/or noise making, being constantly "in motion," and frequent interruption of others. Many parents would say that this describes every two-year-old on the planet! Perhaps there is merit in the "Terrible Twos" theory, and the behavior will eventually resolve itself within a year or two with careful and consistent parenting. However, ADHD is a real, legitimate disorder that does affect both children and adults in some cases; it cannot simply be dismissed as temporary unruliness. The diagnosis is correctly made when it's clear that the child is socially and intellectually impaired due to these symptoms.

If you suspect your child has ADHD, consult a pediatrician and a child development specialist to confirm the diagnosis. Once diagnosed, you'll need to examine your choices regarding treatment for your child. Children as young as age two are being medicated with the "traditional" ADHD drugs, Ritalin, Cylert, and Dexedrine. These are powerful stimulant drugs with troublesome side effects such as insomnia, stomach pain, increased blood pressure, sensitivity to sunlight, and irritability. Concerned parents wonder why stimulants are given to children who are already wired and wound-up! Medical research indicates that in children and adults with ADHD, stimulants help the afflicted person to focus and concentrate.

There's a "new kid on the block" for the treatment of ADHD in children and adults. The new drug Strattera is not a stimulant, thus having none of the stimulant-related side effects. It is rapidly becoming the treatment of choice for ADHD. However, the safety and effectiveness of Strattera with children under age six has not been established. Essentially, you have two options: try your toddler on the traditional stimulant drugs, or your pediatrician can prescribe Strattera "off label" (not FDA approved) and closely monitor your child for adverse effects. A possible third option is to maintain your toddler on a stimulant until he/she reaches age six, and then switch to Strattera.