A Deep Dive into Medications for ADHD for Children and Adolescents

Deciding to start a child or adolescent on medication can be a daunting process, and often there are many questions surrounding this decision. There is a great deal of information to be found about ADHD medications, and it can be hard to know which information is reliable, and how it might apply to an individual child, or how the choice of medication might affect them in other settings like the classroom.

This workshop is focused on exploring how ADHD medications work in the brain, some of the similarities and differences from one type of medication to another, how different medications are delivered, how we choose medications, and what side effects we need to be aware of, both for treatment and non-treatment. There are ever-increasing numbers of medications to choose from, and not every one will be suited to every child. Understanding how they compare will help caregivers and stakeholders make an informed choice when working with medical professionals.

We will also address current concerns with generic medications, which are increasingly offered by pharmacies, but may not always be in the child’s best interest. Understanding how generic medications may differ from brand name ones is also a key part in finding the right medication for an individual child or adolescent.

Target audience: Parents, Students (14+), Families, Educators, Counselors, and the wider community.