The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that for a child to be diagnosed with predominantly inattentive attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), he must have at least six inattention symptoms, like being easily distracted and organization problems. Since inattention can interfere in the patient's schoolwork, finding the right treatment is important. Medication is an option, but non-pharmaceutical options, like parental training and classroom accommodations, are also possibilities.
Medications
Two classes of drugs---stimulants and nonstimulants---are prescribed for the inattention symptoms of ADHD. Stimulants include methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine and dextroamphetamine-amphetamine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 70 to 80 percent of ADHD patients respond positively to stimulants. The Mayo Clinic adds that stimulants are available in short-acting versions and long-acting versions. The short-acting stimulants last four hours, and the long-acting stimulants last between six hours and 12 hours. The other medication for inattention, nonstimulants, were approved for ADHD treatment in 2003. Atomoxetine, a type of nonstimulant, can last up to 24 hours.
Parental Training
Parental training is another option that gets the parents involved in the child's treatment. The CDC states that this training educates the parents about ADHD and how to implement behavioral practices. Through parental training, the parents can help their child with developing problem-solving skills and organization. The training can also help parents who are dealing with issues as well, such as depression or anxiety brought on by dealing with their child's disorder.
Classroom Accommodations
Since attention problems can have a large impact on the child's performance in school, treatment is also done in the classroom. The CDC notes that for classroom accommodations to be successful, parents and teachers should closely collaborate to find the best solution to help the child succeed. For example, the teacher can help reduce the occurrence of inattention symptoms by giving the student one assignment at a time. Giving clear directions, broken down step-by-step, can help the child follow through on a task. The teacher should also limit the number of distractions, such as removing extra items from the child's desk, and rewarding her when all of her daily tasks are completed.
