ADHD affects about 6 million children in the USA. This condition is easily treated with medication. Yet, many parents are justifiably opposed to their young children taking drugs.

The statistics for ADHD are alarming. Children who have ADHD can’t “pay more attention”  or “work harder” in school. They are not lazy or stupid, they need help.

If you want your child to have the best shot at life, read on to find out more about ADHD medication for children.

Causes of ADHD in Children

ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. Children who are not hyperactive, but who battle to concentrate are usually diagnosed as having ADD only.

The same drugs can help to treat both conditions as they result from similar conditions in the brain.

ADHD isn’t truly an attention disorder. Affected children can focus very effectively on things that interest them. However, their thoughts and actions often go astray when it comes to routine tasks.

The exact working of attentional disorders is extremely complex. For simplicity’s sake, we could say that it involves the misdirection of neurotransmitters in the brain.

How Do ADHD Meds Work?

Medications used for treating ADHD work to interrupt the random wanderings of the brain’s neurotransmitters.

Most ADHD medications are stimulants. These meds work to stimulate the production of dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter.

Dopamine counteracts the overactivity of the trouble-making neurotransmitters in the brain – norepinephrine and serotonin.

Types of ADHD Medication for Children

There are two main types of ADHD Medication for kids. These are Methylphenidate-based medications and Dextroamphetamine-based medications.

Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate, and the Daytrana Patch belong to the first group. Adderall, Dexedrine, and Vyvanse fall under the latter.

Unfortunately, none of these drugs is a magic potion for all learning disabilities. They don’t work equally well for all children, either. If your child has ADHD, chances are you’re in for a long process of trial and error before you hit the sweet spot.

Not only will you need to experiment to find the best ADHD medication for your child, but also it’s strength and duration. Most health insurance plans do not cover this medication, so the costs soon add up.

Saving on ADHD Meds for Kids

The good news is that there are ways to pay less for your child’s ADHD meds. One way is to look for Medigap policy or child-only health insurance that will pay for it.

You can also shop around for discounts online to save on your prescription.

If all else fails, speak to your doctor about prescribing a cheaper type of ADHD treatment for your child.

Additional behavioral therapy can also help to lessen the effects of ADHD, resulting in them needing cheaper medication.

Is Medication for ADHD Worth It?

ADHD medication for children works 80% of the time. Your child’s teacher will tell you that they notice a difference immediately.

You’ll also see a huge improvement in their concentration at homework time. If you want your child to benefit from the important skills they’ll learn at school, it’s worth considering.