Introduction and Overview

The following resources are widely used in clinical settings to screen and assess, design treatment protocol, prescribe medication and provide referrals for children and adolescents with symptoms of ADHD.


Screening & Assessment

ADHD-Diagnosis pageConsidering ADHD Diagnosis

A guide to designing treatment protocol for a patient with ADHD symptoms.

 

Vanderbilt ADHD Diagnosis pageVanderbilt ADHD Rating Scale

Psychological assessment tool for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms that includes a teacher rating scale, parent rating scale, and scoring scale.

 


Treatment

Evidence-Based Treatments for ADHD


Referral and Co-Management

NA for this topic


Medications (Non-Stimulant)

  • Comes in: 10, 18, 25, 40, 60, 80, 100  mg
  • Start at: 0.5 kg (1 to 1.2 mg/kg/d usual full dosage)
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range:  Max Daily Dose: 100 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 0.1, 0.2, 0.3  mg
  • Start at: 0.5 mg QHS if <45 kg, otherwise 0.1 mg QHS (Caution if <5 yr.)
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range: Max daily dose 27-49 kg 0.2 mg, 40-45 kg 0.3 mg >45 kg 0.4 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 0.1, 0.2 mg
  • Start at: 0.1 mg QHS
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range: Max daily dose 0.4 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 1, 2  mg
  • Start at: 0.5 mg QHS if <45 kg, otherwise 1 mg QHS (Caution if <5 yr.)
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range: Max daily dose 27-49 kg 2 mg, 40-45 kg 3 mg >45 kg 4 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 1, 2, 3, 4  mg
  • Start at: 1 mg QD if over 6 years old (full dosage 0.05 to 0.12 mg/kg
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range: Max daily dose Whichever is lower: 4mg/day 6-12 years old, 7mg/day 13-17 years old or, 0.05-0.12 mg/kg/day
  • FDA

Medications (Stimulant)

  • Comes in: 10, 20 mg tab
  • Start at: 10 mg QAM
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range:  Max Daily Dose: 60 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 18, 27, 36, 54  mg
  • Start at: 18 mg QAM
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range:  Max Daily Dose: 72 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30  mg
  • Start at: 5 mg QD
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range:  Max Daily Dose: 30 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, mg capsules
  • Start at: 10 mg QAM
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range:  Max Daily Dose: 60 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 10, 20, 30, 40, mg capsules
  • Start at: 10 mg QAM
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range:  Max Daily Dose: 60 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 5 to 40 mg 5 mg steps
  • Start at: 5 mg QAM
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range:  Max Daily Dose: 30 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 10, 15, 20, 30 mg capsules
  • Start at: 10 mg QAM
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range:  Max Daily Dose: 30 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 mg capsules
  • Start at: 30 mg QD
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range:  Max Daily Dose: 70 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 5, 10, 15 mg capsules
  • Start at: 5 mg QAM
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range:  Max Daily Dose: 40 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 25 mg/5 ml 1 bottle = 300 mg or60 ml
  • Start at: 10 mg QAM
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range:  Max Daily Dose: 60 mg
  • FDA

  • Comes in: 20, 30, 40 mg capsules
  • Start at: 20 mg QAM
  • Titration schedule to effect:
  • Most common dose range:  Max Daily Dose: 60 mg
  • FDA

Billing/Coding

  • Can code two per visit
  • Code pays $7.91 (at well visit and at E+M visit)
    • Examples: Bright Futures Adolescent Supplemental Questionnaire, GAPS, HEADSSS

  • Can code two per visit
  • Code pays $4.10 (at well visit and at E+M visit)
    • Examples: PSC, SCARED, CDI, CES-DEC, PHQ-9 Modified for Adolescents, Vanderbilt, Conners

  • May be reported in addition to E/M or Health Check
  • Code pays $30.73 (only code if screen is positive & counseling is documented from 3-15 minutes)
    • Examples: CRAFFT for Substance Use/Abuse

Additional Resources for Families

Books families may find helpful

  • Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete Authoritative Guide for Parents (Revised Edition, 2000), by Russell A. Barkley, PhD
  • Raising Resilient Children: Fostering Strength, Hope and Optimism in Your Child (2002), by Robert Brooks, PhD and Sam Goldstein, PhD Attention Deficit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults (2006), by Tom Brown, PhD
  • Teenagers with ADD and ADHD: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (2006), by Chris Dendy

Books children may find helpful:

  • Learning to Slow Down & Pay Attention: A Book for Kids about ADHD (2004), by Kathleen Nadeau, PhD, Ellen Dixon, PhD, and Charles Beyl
  • Jumpin’ Johnny Get Back to Work! A Child’s Guide to ADHD/Hyperactivity (1981), by Michael Gordon, PhD