- Diagnostic Folders -
ADHD
According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,
“Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a common childhood illness. People who are affected can have trouble with paying attention, sitting still and controlling their impulses. There are three types of ADHD. The most common type of ADHD is when people have difficulties with both attention and hyperactivity. This is called ADHD combined type. Some people only have difficulty with attention and organization. This is ADHD inattentive subtype or Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Other people have only hyperactive and impulsive symptoms. This is ADHD hyperactive subtype.”
The information below is provided to guide medical providers in treatment as well as to provide information/resources to parents and youth regarding ADHD.
- ADHD Rating Scale IV – Preschool Version
English
The ADHD Rating Scale-IV obtains parent ratings regarding the frequency of each ADHD symptom based on DSM-IV criteria. Parents are asked to determine symptomatic frequency that describes the child’s home behavior over the previous 6 months. The ADHD Rating Scale-IV is completed independently by the parent and scored by a clinician. The scale consists of 2 subscales: inattention (9 items) and hyperactivity-impulsivity (9 items). If 3 or more items are skipped, the clinician should use extreme caution in interpreting the scale. Results from this rating scale alone should not be used to make a diagnosis.
Ages: 3-5 - Vanderbilt Assessment
English | Spanish
Screens for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms. This 55-item instrument also looks for conduct disorder, oppositional-defiant disorder, anxiety, and depression.
Ages: 6-12 • Time: 10-20 minutes - SNAP-IV
English | Spanish
The SNAP-IV 18-item scale is an abbreviated version of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham (SNAP) Questionnaire (Swanson, 1992; Swanson et al., 1983). Items from the DSM-IV criteria for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are included for the two subsets of symptoms: Inattention (items 1–9) and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (items 10–18). Ages: 6-18
While medications may be used to treat the symptoms of ADHD, there are other cognitive and behavioral therapies that have been evidence-based to help alleviate symptoms as well.
Behavioral therapy can be assistive in assisting in the control of aggression, modulate social behavior and increase productivity or time on tasks.
The Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another form of therapy that can assist in alleviating some of the symptoms of ADHD. In CBT a therapist may focus on increasing the child’s self-esteem, develop problem solving skills which would examine all the steps and slow down the otherwise impulsive responses. CBT can also help to decrease negative self-messaging.
- A Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Workbook for Children & Adolescents
- How is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Different for Kids?
Additional recommendations for treatment to increase the success of a child’s performance can include parent education skills. This can be as simple as needing to give one step directions to how to organize homework time so it is less challenging.
Modifications may also need to be considered for the educational program the child is in.
A Parents’ Medication Guide was created by the American Academy or Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the American Psychiatry Association. It includes many other resources as well.
- ADHD Coding Fact Sheet for Primary Care Pediatricians, American Academy of Pediatrics
- Inattention, Impulsivity, Disruptive Behavior and Aggression Coding Fact Sheet for Primary Care Pediatricians, American Academy of Pediatrics
- Children and Adults with ADHD (CHADD): Offers information, support groups, training, and other resources for professionals and caregivers.
- Parents’ Medication Guide: Quality information about medications for ADHD.
- Teach ADHD: Teaching advice for ADHD kids.
- Therapist Aid – ADHD Resources: Several clinical tools for managing ADHD (worksheets, skill packets, study tips, etc.)
- ADHD 365 Podcast: Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
- ADHD Smarter Parenting Podcast
- Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame: App to teach child skills such as problem solving, self-control, planning, and task persistence.
- Headspace: Offers meditations for youth to help them calm down when their emotions are strong and often can override of their thinking. Headspace offers other mindfulness activities based on the age of the child helps them calm down and organize their thoughts.
- Wonder Bunch Apps for kids: Offers apps sensitive to the challenges kids with ADHD are facing. Apps are designed to help all children learn and grow.
- ADHD and the Brain, produced by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- ADHD Info Packet: Support for families of children with disabilities
- Children Who Can’t Pay Attention/Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, produced by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: ADHD Fact Sheet
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): The Basics, National Institute of Heath
- Understanding ADHD: Information for Parents About Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- How ADHD Can Affect Your Family: Source WebMD
- Understanding ADHD: Information for parents from Healthy Children
For children/adolescents:
- Jumpin’ Johnny Get Back to Work! A Child’s Guide to ADHD/Hyperactivity (1981), by Michael Gordon, PhD
- Learning to Slow Down & Pay Attention: A Book for Kids about ADHD (2004), by Kathleen Nadeau, PhD, Ellen Dixon, PhD, and Charles Beyl
For families:
- Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults (2006), by Tom Brown, PhD
- Raising Resilient Children: Fostering Strength, Hope and Optimism in Your Child (2002), by Robert Brooks, PhD and Sam Goldstein, PhD
- Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete Authoritative Guide for Parents (Fourth Edition, 2020), by Russell A. Barkley, PhD
- Teenagers with ADD and ADHD: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (2006), by Chris Dendy
- ADHD: A video to guide for families. Produced by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
- Childhood ADHD: What are the signs and symptoms?
Consult Line: (888) 522-9654
The North Dakota Pediatric Mental Health Care Access Line connects Primary Care Providers with a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist for consultation during daytime business hours.