J. T., who is a Native American male, age 8, is always interrupting his teacher, jumping out of his seat in class, fidgeting relentlessly, and butting into other children’s games. At home, he runs around recklessly and is uncontrollable. His mother comes to the CNP in the Pediatric Clinic and wonders why he will not listen. She is concerned because his grades at school are dropping. After medical evaluation, you find nothing wrong with J. T. physically, and he is taking no other medications. Through questioning, you determine that he has trouble concentrating on his homework, often forgets he has homework, loses pieces of games frequently, and hates to sit and read. His mother is unsure of the time frame over which these behaviors developed, but she thinks it has been since her second child was born 5 years ago. While in your office, J. T. did not seem to be hyperactive or inattentive, but you notice he is easily distracted by people passing in the hallway because the door is slightly ajar.

Diagnosis: Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

Discuss specific goals for pharmacotherapy for treating J. T.’s ADHD.
Discuss the first-line drug therapy for J. T., and why.
Discuss monitoring parameters you would institute for J. T.’s parents and his teachers.
Discuss specific patient education you would provide to J. T.’s parents based on the prescribed therapy.