TDC Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Practice Exam

The important thing is to engage the parents in a collaborative discussion about medication by exploring their concerns and beliefs. This first step builds trust, clarifies misconceptions about how medications for ADHD work, potential side effects, and what long-term plans look like, and it reveals the family’s values and comfort level with pharmacotherapy. With that understanding, the social worker can provide balanced information, address specific worries, and jointly outline next steps—whether that means coordinating with a physician, considering behavioral strategies, or discussing school supports. Referencing a psychiatrist later would be appropriate if pharmacotherapy becomes a clear path, but you don’t press that step before understanding the family’s stance. Jumping straight into behavioral strategies without addressing medication concerns can miss a crucial driver of adherence, and simply acknowledging their right to decide, while respectful, doesn’t actively move planning forward.