Treatment should often involve more than one discipline working cooperatively. Since there is currently no way to cure ADHD, the goal of treatment is to improve the individual s ability to cope with it. Coping successfully with ADHD often requires a combination of treatments provided by specialists from different disciplines. The physician prescribes stimulant or other types of medication. The educator helps to remediate school-based problems, and often provides feedback to the parents and the physician about the effectiveness of medication.
Stimulant medications are the benchmark of treatment for most ADHD patients.
For many individuals with ADHD, medication is the cornerstone of an effective overall treatment regimen. Research has repeatedly indicated that stimulant medication ameliorates the symptoms of ADHD and sets the stage for the individual to benefit synergistically from behavioral, psychological, educational, and coaching interventions. The use of medication, however, should not be undertaken until a comprehensive evaluation has been completed and the diagnosis firmly established. In addition, a physical examination should be performed to assure that the patient is in good health and there are no other medical conditions that would account for the diagnosis. It is also imperative that the patient or the patient's parents thoroughly understand how to monitor the effectiveness of the medication or medications and that all potential side effects be explained.