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ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Make an Appointment
- Follow-up appointments can be scheduled through MyChart.
- New patients should call our Scheduling Department at 303-699-6200.
- Parents who are concerned about their child’s mental or behavioral health are encouraged to call our Patient Care Line at 303-699-6200 (Option 6) to speak with one of our registered nurses.
Understanding ADHD
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood condition that affects a child’s ability to focus, control impulses, and regulate activity level.
The primary characteristics of ADHD are inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Symptoms typically begin in early childhood and may develop gradually over several months. In many children, hyperactivity and impulsivity are noticed first, followed by difficulties with attention.
It’s important to remember that all children can be energetic, distracted, or impulsive at times. ADHD may be considered when these behaviors are persistent, occur in multiple settings (such as home and school), and begin to interfere with school performance, friendships, or family life.
Symptoms of Hyperactivity and Impulsivity
Children with hyperactive-impulsive symptoms may:
- Seem constantly “on the go,” fidgeting, squirming, or having difficulty staying seated
- Run, climb, or move excessively in situations where quiet behavior is expected
- Talk excessively or interrupt conversations
- Blurt out answers before a question is finished
- Have difficulty waiting their turn
- Struggle to think before acting
- Display strong emotions or make comments without considering consequences
Symptoms of Inattention
Children with inattentive symptoms may:
- Be easily distracted by sights or sounds around them
- Have trouble completing tasks or staying organized
- Make careless mistakes or overlook details
- Seem not to listen when spoken to directly
- Have difficulty following instructions
- Frequently lose items such as homework, books, or toys
- Start tasks but not finish them
- Appear forgetful or daydream frequently
If you have concerns about your child’s focus, behavior, or emotional well-being, we are here to help guide you through evaluation and next steps.
ADHD Diagnosis & Management
Our ADHD management plan has been carefully developed following a thorough review by our ADHD Task Force. We continue to monitor the latest advancements in ADHD care and make ongoing updates whenever appropriate. APA's ADHD program is based on the following principles:
- Using nationally recommended testing tools to diagnose ADHD
- Ensuring regular follow-up appointments, medication review and repeat testing
- Encouraging ongoing communication to ensure that the child is functioning well
Diagnosing ADHD: Initial Evaluation
If you are concerned your child may have ADHD and would like to have him or her evaluated, please call our Nurse Line at 303-699-6200 (option #2) to speak with one of our registered nurses. Our nurses will ask some initial questions about your child's behavior and then schedule an appropriate evaluation appointment. Based upon your child's symptoms, our nurse will let you know what paperwork should be filled out prior to your child's appointment.
Managing ADHD
If your child has been diagnosed with ADHD, regular follow-up and close medication management are important aspects of care. Your provider and ADHD coordinator will assist in managing your child's initial and follow-up care consistent with the following Advanced Pediatrics Associates’ ADHD program management requirements:
Follow-Up Appointments
After the initial evaluation and diagnosis of ADHD, a medication recheck visit should be scheduled in 2-3 weeks to discuss how things are going and deal with any immediate problems or concerns. Additional office visits may be necessary until we feel that your child is doing well on the medication prescribed.
An ADHD follow-up evaluation should be scheduled for three months after the initial evaluation. This visit will allow your and your child to discuss any concerns, ask questions, as well as receive prescriptions for the next three months.
If no significant changes are made at the three-month follow-up visit, your child should return for an ADHD follow-up visit in another three months This visits includes follow-up forms from parents and teachers. If medication changes are made at any visit, the provider may want to see your child again prior to the next follow-up visit. ADHD follow-up paperwork will be required every six months, although your child will need to be seen every three months.
Our ADHD coordinators can assist you in scheduling appointments, answering questions regarding refills, and completing appropriate forms. You can reach them or leave a message at 720-974-7188.
APA requires an annual well-care appointment for all children on ADHD medications. Your child must be current on his or her well-care exams to continue on ADHD medications.
ADHD Treatment
Taking ADHD Medications
We recommend children take their ADHD medication right before or just after a meal to minimize the appetite suppression that normally occurs 1 - 2 hours after the medication is given. If it appears that your child's ADHD medication works better some days than others, consider his or her vitamin C intake. Citric acid and ascorbic acid MAY impair the absorption of some ADHD medications from the gut. Patients may be advised not to ingest citrus fruit, all fruit juices (including Kool-aid, Gatorade, etc.), most carbonated beverages, Pop Tarts, granola / breakfast bars, high vitamin cereals, oral suspension medication or vitamin C within one hour before or after their dose of stimulant medication. For more information on ADHD medications, see the links below:
Medication Refill Requests
All medication refill requests will now be managed during your child’s follow-up visits. It is very important to call our office approximately two weeks prior to running out of medication, so that a visit can be scheduled as quickly as possible. Our ADHD coordinators may also reach out to you with a reminder to schedule an appointment.
If your child has been off medication for more than 3-6 months, he / she must be seen by a provider for a follow-up visit before medication will be prescribed.
If your child has been off medication for more than one year, he / she must be seen for a new initial evaluation before medication will be prescribed.
Most medications prescribed for ADHD are "scheduled" drugs. This means that they are regulated and monitored by the government. Prescriptions may be written or e-prescribed to the pharmacy. Refills may be given for a 90-day supply (one mail order script) or 3–30 day’s supply.
We ask parents to call our office at least 10-14 business days before the supply of medication runs out to schedule the next follow-up appointment.
Alternative Treatments
There are many popular unscientifically tested alternative medications and treatment programs available in the community and on the internet which we do not recommend to our patients. Our program follows proven treatment plans developed by nationally recognized experts in the field, and we recommend that patients coordinate all care through our practice or specialists recommended by our providers.
ADHD Forms
ADHD Websites
ADHD Recommended Reading
ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Mark L. Wolraich, MD, FAAP and Joseph F. Hagan Jr., MD, FAAP
A New Understanding of ADHD in Children and Adults. Thomas E. Brown, PhD
What Every ADHD KID Whishes His Parents Knew: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Your ADHD Child. Rebecca Miller
Raising Boys with ADHD: Secrets for Parenting Healthy, Happy Sons. Mary Anne Richey and James W. Forgan
Parenting Children With ADHD: 10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach. Dr. Vincent J. Monastra, PhD
Parenting ADHD Now!: Easy Intervention Strategies to Empower Kids with ADHD. Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster, MHSA, CPC, PCC
Taking Charge of ADHD, Third Edition: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents. Russell A. Barkley
Mindful Parenting for ADHD: A Guide to Cultivating Calm, Reducing Stress, and Helping Children Thrive (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook). Mark Bertin, MD and Ari Tuckman, PsyD
