Understanding the Treatments: Medication and Therapy for ADHD
If you’re a parent in La Jolla or San Diego navigating an ADHD diagnosis for your child, you’re probably asking: Should we go with medication? Therapy? Both?
As a child psychologist working with families at SoCal Child Psychology, I (Dr. Carrie) want to help you make an informed decision—so you feel confident and supported.
This article breaks down ADHD Medication vs Therapy, how they compare, how they can work and what questions you should ask providers your family is working with.
What Is ADHD Medication?
How ADHD Medication Works
Medication for Attention‑Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder typically involves stimulant or non-stimulant medications that help regulate brain chemicals (like dopamine and norepinephrine) which affect attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stimulants are “the best-known and most widely used ADHD medications.
Between 70-80% of children with ADHD have fewer ADHD symptoms when taking these fast-acting medications.” ADHD medications have the strongest evidence base among treatments (including disruptive behaviors) in children and adolescents.
What Is Therapy (Behavioral & Psychosocial) for ADHD?
How ADHD Therapy works
Therapy for ADHD can include behavioral interventions, parent training, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and school-based accommodations. The focus is on supporting the child’s environment, teaching self-regulation and helping parents and teachers use consistent strategies.
For children under 6, the CDC recommends behavioral therapy first before medication. Research also finds that combined approaches (medication + behavioral therapy) often lead to the strongest results.
The most effective type of therapy for ADHD is parent-focused therapy, which includes working with you as a parent to support your ADHD child at home and school.
How to Decide What’s Right for Your Child in La Jolla/San Diego
Start with a thorough evaluation
At SoCal Child Psychology, we offer comprehensive psychological evaluations, one of the first steps is clarifying what exactly your child’s strengths and challenges are — inattentive vs. hyperactive presentation, learning differences, anxiety, school context, sleep patterns, and more.
This evaluation also informs you about the types of treatment that may be most helpful for your family.
Consider these factors
Severity of symptoms and impairment: If your child’s functioning at home or school is significantly impacted, medication might be indicated sooner.
Age: For under-6s, behavioral therapy is strongly recommended first.
School context: In San Diego schools, accommodations (IEPs, 504s) might require documentation, and an evaluation helps provide the school with information about your child's concerns.
Comorbid conditions: If your child also has anxiety, learning differences, or sleep issues (common in ADHD kids), therapy might play a strong role.
Common Parent Questions & Misconceptions
Q: Will therapy take forever to work?
A: Therapy does take longer than medication to work in many cases, but therapy also builds long-term benefits and often supports sustained improvement beyond purely symptom relief. Most families see improvements at home within the first 3-months of therapy.
Q: Can therapy replace medication entirely?
A: Medication and therapy work differently. Some families see significant improvements in challenges as a result of therapy alone.
Therapy typically has the strongest effects on reducing family conflict and disruptive behaviors related to ADHD. Medication may lead to improvements in inattention, hyperactivity, emotion regulation, and social skills.
Q: How do I find a therapist in La Jolla / San Diego who specializes in ADHD and parent work?
A: Look for a licensed child psychologist or therapist with experience in ADHD, parent training, and school-collaboration. At SoCal Child Psychology, we emphasize parent-focused sessions (especially for parent coaching) along with school liaison work.
Why Our La Jolla Practice Takes a Flexible Approach
At SoCal Child Psychology, we recognize that every family in La Jolla and across California is different. Some families want to avoid medication; others need it quickly for school success. That’s why our model includes:
Comprehensive evaluations to clarify needs (learning differences, ADHD presentation, anxiety, sleep).
Parent-focused coaching (so you feel empowered and find realistic strategies to manage ADHD in real life).
Coordination with schools in San Diego to ensure accommodations and consistent plans.
Telehealth options so families across California can access support.
A warm, family-friendly yet clinically grounded tone because I know parents of ADHD kids often feel stuck, overwhelmed and need support (not just a checklist).
Remember: you are not alone in this. As a parent of an ADHD child, you deserve clear support, concrete tools, and a path that aligns with your family’s values and rhythm.
If you ever want help exploring options here in San Diego, whether evaluation, therapy, parent coaching, feel free to reach out.
Evaluations for Kids and Children with ADHD and Other Concerns
When your child is struggling with focus, behavior, or school performance, it can feel overwhelming to know what’s really going on. Our psychological evaluations at SoCal Child Psychology provide families across San Diego with answers and a roadmap for support.
From ADHD and learning differences to anxiety and other concerns, we use evidence-based assessments to identify your child’s unique needs. With this knowledge, you can advocate confidently at school and make informed choices about treatment.
Reach out today to schedule a child ADHD evaluation in San Diego or La Jolla and give your family the clarity you deserve.