Predominantly Inattentive ADHD - Communicating With Teachers and Physicians

Children with Predominantly Inattentive ADHDsame parent told the teacher and physician, "My
often do not respond to stimulant the way otherchild has ADHD Predominantly Inattentive, he is
ADHD children respond. Finding the best treatmentnot responding the way that most other kids do
for Predominantly Inattentive ADHD (ADHD-PI)to this medication because he is not hyperactive
can be a challenge. Teachers and physicians oftenimpulsive, I need your help in finding another way
have very limited feedback regarding howto address his symptoms." I believe that most
stimulants affect children with ADHD-PI. This is aphysicians and teachers would respect and
typical scenario. A parent gives an ADHD-PI child arespond appropriately to the parents observations.
stimulant, the child does not improve or worsens,This communication exchange can only happen
the teacher and doctor tell the parent that theyhowever, if we monitor and report back to our
need to increase the dose, the parent does notteachers and our physicians regarding the specific
think that more is better and the parent stopseffects that the medications are having on our
the medication. The parent is labeled aschildren. If enough teachers and physicians are
non-compliant by both the teacher and theaware that kids with ADHD-PI may not respond
physician.the way other ADHD kids do to the most widely
The parent may then look for a new school or aused ADHD medications, then these teachers and
new doctor or both and the physician and teacherphysicians will be better able to advise future
are never given the benefit of hearing why theparents on what they may expect when they
parent was non-compliant. I think that if thatplace their ADHD-PI children on ADHD therapy.