Just What the Doctor Ordered

ADDitude asked: What's the best advice your doctor gave you for managing ADHD symptoms?

• Keep to a schedule and, when it is too hard to do that, get a friend to motivate you. -Vesna, Croatia

• When our doctor realized that the meds he prescribed were no longer working for our son, he advised us to see a specialist. I love a doctor who knows when to refer you to someone else! -An ADDitude Reader

• Living one day at a time. I'm not saying it's the best advice. It's just all the advice I got. -Jack, Iowa

• My doctor let me decide which treatments to try, and was supportive of my choices. -Wendy, Maryland

She said, I know my child better than anyone, so "don't let someone else tell you what is best for your child." Also, if you feel there is a problem at school, or anywhere else, keep pushing until it is taken care of. -Shelly, Ohio

Use specialists, such as a pediatric neurologist and a neurodevelopmental pediatrician, and combine medication with behavior therapy. -Kris, Pennsylvania

• The best thing my doctor does is to listen to my son. That is the most important thing a doctor can do. She cares about us, and wants us to succeed in controlling symptoms. -Patty, Texas

• Medication can do only so much to treat ADHD symptoms. Counseling, parenting, social skills development, and lots of acceptance can do the rest. He also reassured us that we were not to blame for our child's condition. His reassurance gave us the confidence to manage our child. -Monica, New York

• My doctor told me to exercise more — even though I get exercise every day. -Kevin