Medication management

Some children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) benefit from medication in addition to behavioral therapy. Medications for ADHD include both stimulant and non-stimulant options. A complete medical history and physical exam are required prior to starting medications.

As a general rule, primary care pediatricians (PCPs) have the training and interest in providing medication management for most children with ADHD.

First, ask your pediatrician

We encourage you to first speak with your child’s pediatrician about medication options. If your pediatrician is not comfortable managing medications for ADHD, you may want to ask if there is another pediatrician in the practice who is able to treat your child’s ADHD.

Medication management by our developmental pediatricians, child and adolescent psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurse practitioners is appropriate for children as a second-line intervention when medical trials initiated by the PCP have not been effective or the child has a complex set of medical or mental health conditions.

If your pediatrician believes your child’s medications should be managed by a CHOP developmental pediatrician or child/adolescent psychiatrist, please contact our office for an ADHD medication management consultation.

Your child's visit with a developmental pediatrician, child and adolescent psychiatrist, and psychiatric nurse practitioner may include a discussion about the indications, benefits and risks of medication treatment for your child's ADHD symptoms.