Please note: This is the general version of the course: ADHD in the Pediatric Population R535. No pharmacology credits will be earned. Click here to take the pharmacology version.

Course Summary

Understanding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the pediatric population is important for educators, parents, and health clinicians to understand in order to identify and develop a learning and behavioral plan for the child and/or adolescent. The genetic, neurobiological, environmental factors, and the treatment options include a combination of medication and behavioral therapies, as well as alternative interventions. Practical strategies for managing pediatric ADHD in school and home environments, and the long-term outcomes and transitions into adulthood, are discussed.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Historical Background and Statistics
  • Types of ADHD
    • Inattentive type
    • Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
    • Combined Type
    • Core Symptoms of ADHD
  • DSM-5 Criteria for the Diagnosis of ADHD
  • Clinical Interviews and Measurements
    • Parent Interview
    • Child Interview
    • Behavior Rating Scales
    • Direct Observation
    • Psychological Testing
    • Academic Assessment
    • Medical Examination
    • Developmental History
    • Family and Social History
    • Functional Assessment
    • Multimodal Approach
    • Comorbid Conditions
  • Causes and Risk Factors
    • Race and Gender
    • Neurobiological Factors: Brain Structure and Function
    • Environmental Factors
  • Treatment and Interventions
    • Pharmacotherapy
    • Benefits and side effects
    • Behavioral Therapies
  • ADHD in the Educational Setting
    • Behavioral Issues
    • Classroom Strategies
  • ADHD at Home and in Social Settings
    • Social Skills and Peer Relationships                
    • Family Dynamics
  • Long-Term Outcomes and Transitions
    • Transition to Adulthood
  • Advocacy and Resources
    • Child Advocacy
  • Case Studies in Adolescent ADHD
    • Diagnosis and Early Intervention 
    • Behavioral and Pharmacological Management
    • Comprehensive Support for Coexisting Conditions
  • Summary

Authors

Marilyn Lajoie, MD, DC, CCSP

Dr. Marilyn Lajoie obtained her medical degree from Saba University School of Medicine in 1999, Her residency began with one year of Anatomical and Surgical Pathology at Orlando Regional Medical Center, before transferring within the same post-graduate residency program to Internal Medicine. Upon completion of residency, she went into private practice in Orlando, where she specialized in Internal Medicine, Sports Medicine and Rehab, as well as acute and chronic pain management. Before becoming a medical doctor, she had practiced as a Chiropractic Physician, graduating from New York Chiropractic College in 1980, practicing initially on Long Island, N.Y., before moving to Florida where she had a successful chiropractic practice and physical rehabilitation center, and gained recognition as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician. Dr. Lajoie was also the Director of Physical Therapy at Horizon Hospital, a residential and outpatient psychiatric hospital, and later, continued in the same capacity at Horizon’s sister psychiatric hospital in Brooksville, Florida. Dr. Lajoie maintained her chiropractic license and continued to practice both Internal Medicine and Chiropractic throughout private practice, until moving to the Veterans Healthcare System in 2014. Continuing in both fields, she became the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Montana VA, where she completed her service in 2021. Dr. Lajoie now works predominantly in telemedicine, and in an Expert Witness capacity for both medical and chiropractic cases. Still living in Montana, she enjoys being able to treat not only the rural areas of the state through this technology, but also patients across the US where she maintains multiple active state licenses. She and her husband also own a llama ranch with over thirty llamas that are hand selected for rare genetics. At the llama ranch, the public is invited to come and visit to learn about these elegant creatures, and to see ranch life firsthand – llama style! Dr. Lajoie and her husband have six adult children, as well as seven dogs.

Sarah Schulze, MSN, APRN, CPNP

Sarah Schulze is a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner and professional medical content writer. She earned her BSN from Indiana State University and her MSN from University of Illinois at Chicago. In clinical practice as an RN and NP, she has experience in a variety of settings; including critical care, PACU, pediatrics, mental health, and lactation support. She currently owns and operates a private practice providing outpatient mental health services to children and adolescents. As a writer, she has developed content for many CEU courses, medical apps, health education curricula, NCLEX study materials, health blogs, and more.

Richard Daniels, PharmD, BCPS

Richard “Cole” Daniels earned his Doctor of Pharmacy(PharmD) from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana in 2018. Throughout pharmacy school he completed a 3-year internship at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana in which he gained valuable experience in an acute care setting. Cole currently serves as a psychiatric clinical staff pharmacist at the Montana State Hospital. He has over 11 years of pharmacy experience having worked in several settings including retail, acute care, and inpatient psychiatric care. Cole has a diverse set of interests. However, acute care medicine, infectious disease, pain management, and asthma/COPD are a primary focus of his at the Montana State Hospital. He obtained board certification as a certified pharmacotherapy specialist in the Spring of 2022.