- 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.

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.

Read the viewing instructions to learn how to earn CME credit. Recordings are listed in alphabetical order.

  • ADHD Hyperactive/Impulsive Criteria
    July 7, 2021
    Slides | Video
  • Attention Deficit/­Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Part 1
    September 3, 2020
    Slides | Video
  • ADHD Part 2
    October 1, 2020
    Slides | Video
  • 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.

For children/adolescents:

For families:

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.