Module 3: Assessment

Lesson 4

ADHD: Goals of care

Goals must be tailored to meet the individual’s needs and be appropriate for different ages and stages of development. Goals may change over time as circumstances change.

Examples include:

  • Preschooler with temper tantrums: respond positively to desired behaviour and use ignoring and good time out techniques to respond to unwanted behaviour (e.g., 1-2-3 technique)
  • School age: use lists and agendas, teacher reminders, use positive incentives
  • Adult: keep items like cell phones and keys in a designated, visible location; post lists as reminders to check for necessary items each morning before leaving home

Reference:

Summary

Stimulants are often prescribed to treat children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD. Prescription stimulants, however, are used among recreational drug users, street-entrenched adult drug users, and street involved youth drug users. Assessment of children,  adolescents, and adults presenting with symptoms of ADHD needs to incorporate a psychosocial and family assessment and an assessment for potential drug-drug interactions.

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