Decision Support Kit · PRO

Decision Support Kit PRO

Compare options · Review the care plan · Prepare for your clinician visit

ADHD EVIDENCE

Treatment options compared

Checklist items

Questions for your clinician

📊 Treatment option comparison (6 options × 12 criteria)

Based on the AAP guideline (2019) — for reference only; all decisions should be made with your treating clinician

Criterion	Stimulant medication	Non-stimulant medication	Behavioral therapy	Parent training	School-based supports	Combined treatment
Time to benefit	Days to ~2 weeks	~4–8 weeks	Months	Months	Weeks to months	Medication: faster Therapy: slower
Attention improvement	High ★★★	High ★★★	Moderate ★★	Moderate ★★	Moderate ★★	High ★★★
Impulse control	High ★★★	High ★★★	Moderate ★★	Moderate ★★	Moderate ★★	High ★★★
Daily living skills	Low ★	Low ★	High ★★★	High ★★★	High ★★★	High ★★★
Academic performance	Moderate ★★	Moderate ★★	Moderate ★★	Moderate ★★	High ★★★	High ★★★
Side-effect risk	Yes (appetite↓, sleep↓)	Yes (nausea, blood pressure)	Minimal	Minimal	None	Per medication
Long-term durability	While taking	Relatively sustained	Can persist	Can persist	Depends on setting	Often higher
Ongoing effort to maintain	Daily dosing	Daily dosing	Regular sessions	Program completion	Teacher collaboration	Multiple supports
Cost (relative)	Moderate (often covered)	Higher (often out-of-pocket)	Higher	Moderate–high	Low–free	Higher
Typical age fit	Age 6+ ✓	Age 6+ ✓	All ages ✓	All ages ✓	School-age ✓	Age 6+ ✓
Family involvement	Lower	Lower	Moderate	High (essential)	Moderate	Moderate–high
Access where you live (relative)	High (wide availability)	High (wide availability)	Moderate (varies by region)	Limited in some areas	Requires school partnership	Needs care + school coordination

✅ Pre-visit preparation checklist (all 25 items)

① Symptoms and history (P01–P05)

P01List major symptoms present for 6+ months

P02Note when symptoms first appeared

P03Confirm symptoms occur in two or more settings (home, school, etc.)

P04Write concrete examples of difficulties at school or other programs

P05Write concrete examples of difficulties during routines at home

Notes

② Child and family background (P06–P10)

P06Record sleep pattern (bedtime, wake time, total sleep)

P07Check family history (parents/siblings with ADHD diagnoses)

P08Gather birth history notes (prematurity, low birth weight, perinatal issues)

P09Record developmental milestones (language, motor)

P10Bring prior diagnostic or evaluation reports

Notes

③ Medical records and documents (P11–P15)

P11Prepare a list of current medications

P12List allergies and chronic medical conditions

P13Bring recent report cards or transcripts

P14Bring teacher or counselor letters, if available

P15Bring prior psychological or behavioral testing, if available

Notes

④ Behavior patterns (P16–P20)

P16Note times of day when symptoms worsen

P17Note links between stress and symptom flare-ups

P18Note conditions where positive behaviors show up more often

P19Optional: short video examples of difficult moments (only if appropriate)

P20Note diet or nutrition concerns, if any

Notes

⑤ Before the appointment (P21–P25)

P21Check whether your child recognizes their own challenges

P22Ask your child’s views on treatment options beforehand

P23Confirm insurance coverage and expected costs

P24Identify which caregivers can participate in treatment

P25Prepare questions about follow-up after the visit

Notes

💬 Questions to prepare for your clinician (all 12)

Q01Do my child’s current symptoms meet diagnostic criteria for ADHD?

Q02Could other conditions explain some symptoms (anxiety, depression, learning disorders)?

Q03What treatment options do you recommend, and what is the rationale?

Q04If medication is appropriate, which options are the best fit?

Q05Should non-medication supports (behavioral therapy, etc.) be combined?

Q06What side effects should we monitor, and how?

Q07How and when will we evaluate whether treatment is working?

Q08What are the goals of the plan, and what timeline should we expect?

Q09If response is insufficient, what is the next step?

Q10How can we coordinate school supports with the medical plan?

Q11What are the most effective caregiver strategies at home?

Q12What should we track or record before the next visit?

Evidence Sources
AAP Clinical Practice Guideline (2019) — DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-2528 | NICE Guideline NG87 (2018/2024) — nice.org.uk/guidance/ng87 | CADDRA Canadian ADHD Practice Guidelines (2020) — caddra.ca/guidelines/

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