Where medication is indicated as part of a child’s management, it is important to document that the proposed medication will in fact have the desired effect and not cause an adverse response. A computerised assessment of a medication’s effect on concentration, distractibility, impulsivity and vigilance is carried out prior to placing a child on treatment.

As stimulant medication works very quickly, a test is carried out initially unmedicated and a similar test is then repeated 1 hour after the administration of a test dose of medication. If the response is positive, then a trial on medication may be undertaken over a period of approximately 6 weeks. During this time the child’s response to medication can be monitored by teacher(s) using Medication Effects Rating Scale. DOWNLOAD MEDICATION EFFECTS RATING SCALE

If the response to medication remains favourable during this trial period, then medication may be continued until the Review appointment.

It may be necessary to test a child’s response to more than one medication, depending on his or her initial response.