Advising families on AD/HD: a multimodal approach

Nurses who interact with families having children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) are perfectly poised to help them understand optimal AD/HD management. While medication can be important in managing AD/HD symptoms, many times it is not a sufficient treatment. A medical examination and a comprehensive neuropsychological or psycho-educational evaluation are important to establish the diagnosis and identify or rule out competing diagnoses and potential co-morbid conditions. A comprehensive evaluation will also lay the groundwork for planning accommodations in school and supports at home that will best facilitate an individual child's learning and development. Nurses can encourage comprehensive evaluations, educate parents about school advocacy, and assist families in understanding ways in which changes in parenting style and the home environment can benefit a child with AD/HD. Nurses can also educate families about the varied professionals and range of resources helpful in managing AD/HD and improving outcomes.