<p>Hi sureofsomething,</p>
<p>I am a physician and a mother of a teen with ADHD.</p>
<p>I can tell you that ADHD is real but it is also overdiagnosed.</p>
<p>Medication can be very effective in the right dose and can improve learning and social interactions. Medication + counseling or coaching works better than either alone.</p>
<p>There is no way that anyone can make your teenage son take this medicine if he doesn’t want to. He will need to first recognize that there is a problem and then be interested in working on a solution (which may or may not include medication.) </p>
<p>I may have missed this information – is your son happy? is he satisfied with his relationships and his school performance? If he sees a problem, he may want to work with someone (a therapist or a coach.)</p>
<p>Coaching might be the right modality for your son if you can pay (no insurance reimbursement.) He doesn’t have to buy into any label. I just finished reading [Amazon.com:</a> Empowering Youth with ADHD: Your Guide to Coaching Adolescents and Young Adults for Coaches, Parents, and Professionals (9781886941960): Jodi Sleeper-Triplett MCC SCAC: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Empowering-Youth-ADHD-Adolescents-Professionals/dp/1886941963/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Empowering-Youth-ADHD-Adolescents-Professionals/dp/1886941963/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1)
book on ADHD coaching and I think coaching sounds great. </p>
<p>From the author: What is Coaching? [Coaching</a> Kids, for Parents of ADHD Children](<a href=“http://www.jstcoach.com/adhd-coaching-kids-parents-adhd-children-programs-va-md-dc.html]Coaching”>http://www.jstcoach.com/adhd-coaching-kids-parents-adhd-children-programs-va-md-dc.html)</p>
<p>"ADHD coaching is a specialized type of coaching that is tailored to meet the unique needs of the client with ADHD, delivered by a coach with in-depth knowledge and understanding of ADHD and related issues.</p>
<p>For coaches working with those who have ADHD, there is a belief that all clients are naturally creative and resourceful, with, at times, a need for a different approach than would be used in traditional life coaching and an understanding by the coach of how a person with ADHD may struggle in certain life areas.</p>
<p>The ADHD coaching process offers clients support, structure, and accountability for their actions, leading to a greater level of success in all areas of life, including those negatively impacted by ADHD, learning disabilities, or other coexisting conditions.</p>
<p>The Institute for the Advancement of ADHD Coaching defines ADHD coaching as a designed partnership that combines coaching skills with knowledge of Attention Deficit Disorder, a neurobiological condition. The coaching process enhances quality of life, improves performance and supports growth and change. The purpose of ADHD coaching is to provide support, structure and accountability. Coach and client collaboratively explore strengths, talents, tools and new learning to increase self-awareness and personal empowerment. Together they design strategies and actions and monitor progress by creating accountability in line with goals and aspirations.</p>
<p>ADHD coaches help individuals to set goals, acknowledge strengths, accept limitations, develop social skills, and create strategies that enable them to be more effective in managing their day-to-day lives. ADHD coaches do this by establishing a pattern of frequent communication with clients to make sure they are focused and working steadily toward their goals."</p>
<p>CHADD is a good resource. So is ADDitude Magazine <a href=“http://www.additudemag.com/[/url]”>http://www.additudemag.com/</a></p>
<p>Good luck!</p>