# Effective Approaches to Managing Behavioral Problems in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Narrative Review

**Authors:** Ahmad Sughayyier Albalawi, Ahmed Ibrahim Khayyal, Fatimah Abdullah Alnasser, Nasser Naif M AlSuhaymi, Amjad Abdulaziz Mousa Assiri, Rehab Saud Saeed Alahmadi

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.102011 · Cureus · 2026-01-21

## TL;DR

This paper reviews effective strategies for managing ADHD in children, emphasizing combined approaches for better long-term outcomes.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of ADHD management strategies and highlights the importance of patient-centered approaches.

## Key findings

- Combining interventions like medication and behavioral therapy improves ADHD outcomes.
- Early diagnosis and management reduce ADHD's long-term adverse effects.
- Patient-centered approaches are more effective than single-intervention strategies.

## Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. It is considered one of the most common disorders in childhood. Its long-term adverse effects are associated with untreated or delayed ADHD in childhood. Impaired academic, functional, and social performance hinders a healthy life. Moreover, good and easy management of children is available via different approaches, providing better long-term improvement. This study aims to summarize the current interventional management strategies for ADHD collectively. We discuss the strengths and limitations of each intervention and highlight the existing gap. In addition, we discuss patient-centered and tailored approaches. This review includes the studies focusing on children and adolescents aged between three and 18. Management strategies include stimulant and non-stimulant medications, behavioral therapies, educational accommodations, lifestyle modifications, and complementary therapies such as mindfulness and yoga. Combining these interventions through a patient-centered approach improves outcomes. Timely diagnosis and early management reduce ADHD's adverse effects. The management plan for ADHD consists of behavioral therapy, educational or training therapy, pharmacological treatment, and lifestyle modification. Each line is effective alone; sometimes, we combine them to make a patient-centered and tailored approach.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (MONDO:0007743), ADHD (MONDO:0007743)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CPT2 (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2) [NCBI Gene 1376] {aka CPT1, CPTASE, IIAE4}, CYP1A2 (cytochrome P450 family 1 subfamily A member 2) [NCBI Gene 1544] {aka CP12, CYPIA2, P3-450, P450(PA)}, CYP2D6 (cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily D member 6 (gene/pseudogene)) [NCBI Gene 1565] {aka CPD6, CYP2D, CYP2D7AP, CYP2D7BP, CYP2D7P2, CYP2D8P2}
- **Diseases:** internalizing disorders (MESH:D000082122), Disabilities (MESH:D009069), overdose (MESH:D062787), neurodevelopmental disorder (MESH:D002658), PTBM (MESH:D063129), executive dysfunction (MESH:D006331), dysthymia (MESH:D019263), neonatal disease (MESH:D007232), depression (MESH:D003866), hyperactivity-impulsivity (MESH:D007174), social performance (OMIM:300082), social disorders (MESH:D000067404), ADHD (MESH:D001289), infections (MESH:D007239), preterm birth (MESH:D047928), major (MESH:D004830), Impaired family relationships (MESH:C564190), anxiety disorder (MESH:D001008), hyperactivity (MESH:D006948), antisocial personality disorder (MESH:D000987), emotional dysregulation (MESH:D021081), Impaired academic, functional (MESH:D007859), anxiety (MESH:D001007), autistic traits (MESH:D001321), traumatic brain injuries (MESH:D000070642), Mental Disorders (MESH:D001523), addiction (MESH:D019966), academic failure (MESH:D051437), sleep disturbances (MESH:D012893), head injuries (MESH:D006259), fainting (MESH:D013575), inattention (MESH:D001308), orthostatic symptoms (MESH:D006261), condition (MESH:D020763)
- **Chemicals:** alcohol (MESH:D000438), lead (MESH:D007854), dopamine (MESH:D004298), Methylphenidate (MESH:D008774), Adderall  XR (MESH:C449521), organophosphates (MESH:D010755), NDRI (-), Amphetamine (MESH:D000661), norepinephrine (MESH:D009638), LA (MESH:D007811), omega-3 fatty acids (MESH:D015525), vitamin D (MESH:D014807)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## References

77 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12923175/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12923175