Stimulant medications such as Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta and a non-stimulant drug called Strattera have successfully reduced hyperactivity and impulsivity and improved concentration in many ADHD children. But medication doesn’t work for every child and some of the side-effects, which include loss of appetite, increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure, can have harmful effects for certain kids. So it’s important to work with a physician to choose the right medication for your child and closely monitor him while he’s taking it.

While medication can help improve symptoms of ADHD, it is by no means a cure for the disorder, says Cimera. “What [pills] do is allow a person to concentrate a little bit better or sit still for a little bit longer,” he explains. “You still need to teach the kid how to learn.” That’s where support groups, social skills classes, psychology and behavioral modification therapy come in. And these classes aren’t just for kids. The whole family can benefit from discussing frustrations and learning to cope through family therapy.

A new treatment that’s being used for children who don’t respond well to medication is EEG biofeedback or neurotherapy. This painless therapy helps train a child’s brain to focus better and reduce hyperactivity, says Monastra. Other non-medical treatments include seeing that your child gets the USDA recommended amount of protein (a brain-booster) for her age, making sure she sleeps nine hours or more a night and encouraging at least 30 minutes of sustained exercise throughout the day. Monastra also suggests turning off the tube in favor of activities such as playing a game of chess, putting together a puzzle or building a castle with blocks. These games exercise and stimulate the frontal lobe, the weaker part of the ADHD brain.