There are situations that come up in a primary care setting when a pediatric patient presents with symptoms that are concerning for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) but where there are concerns about prescribing a stimulant medication. These are some of the situations when this can occur: The patient’s presentation meets the symptom checklist for […]
Category Archives: Pediatrics
Choosing a Medication Treatment for ADHD
Once a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been made, a decision has to be made about treatment. Most children do well with a combination approach of medication and behavioral therapy. The most likely medication to start with is a stimulant medication. And then the provider has to make a decision from many, […]
Link Between Lead Toxicity and ADHD
When a child first presents with symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), it is important to assess if there is an underlying medical cause for the symptoms. Lead is a neurotoxin that has been well studied to affect children’s cognition and behavior, and the behavioral profile seen with lead toxicity can mimic ADHD. Children […]
ADHD And Co-Morbid Tic Disorder
A call recently came into the SmartCare PC2 line that highlights an important clinical situation. Case Presentation: 10 yo boy with history of motor tic disorder (eye blinking, shoulder shrugging) who was then diagnosed with ADHD combined type. He was started on Concerta and titrated to 36 mg qAM, which has been helpful for his […]