Understanding ADHD Treatment Options
In this article Hannah Creaven, our ADHD Nurse Prescriber, shares key insights from her recent webinar explaining ADHD treatment options for children and adolescents. After an ADHD diagnosis, families can experience mixed emotions. Feelings may include relief and validation, worry about stigma or misunderstanding, and overwhelm about treatment decisions. A common question is “what happens next?
The answer is ADHD treatment is personalised and the best approach depends on a child’s needs, age, and circumstances. Treatment is a journey and aims to improve daily functioning, emotional wellbeing, and quality of life — not just reduce symptoms.
It is important to know ‘treatment for ADHD,’ is not just about medication, but a whole-child approach that supports emotional, educational, and practical needs. This may include:
Behavioural and psychological support – such as therapy to build emotional regulation or social skills.
Educational interventions – working with school to make the classroom a safe and supportive space.
Parent training programmes – giving families the tools to handle challenges at home with more confidence.
Lifestyle changes – including sleep, exercise, nutrition and routines.
Medication, when appropriate.
It’s not about doing everything at once. Often it’s about starting with small steps, adding one or two supports that really make a difference, and building from there.
And remember, what works now might need tweaking in a year’s time. Children grow. Their needs change, and it’s okay to adapt.