Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

(ADHD or AD/HD) & Medication

Group 5:  Kristy O'Donoghue, Julie Savage, Rachel Thayer & Jaclyn Zoll

Attention-Deficit Hyperactiviy Disorder

ADHD is a disorder that affects a child's ability to concentrate, follow directions, stay focused, and finish tasks.  ADHD symptoms interfere with a child's ability to function socially and in educational settings.  ADHD symptoms are different for each child.  The three major and most common symptoms are hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsiveness.  -Child-Development-Guide.com

Link to Picture & Article on ADHD

ADHD and Medication Some children  require medication to improve the symptoms of ADHD.  Medication improves symptoms in about 70% of children with ADHD.  Researchers found that children with ADHD who received stimulant medicine had a significant decrease in ADHD symptoms (inattention, impulsiveness and hyperactivity).  Ritalin is the most common drug used for children with ADHD; however, there are other stimulants that can be used depending on the effectiveness for the child.  Critics argue that children are over-medicated; however, if medication works for a child with ADHD the symptoms can significantly improve. -MSN.com - Health Topics

ADHD Myths and Misunderstandings

Help4ADHD.org

1.  ADHD is not a real disorder2.  ADHD is a childhood disorder3.  ADHD is over-diagnosed4.  Children with ADHD are over-medicated5.  Poor parenting causes ADHD6.  Minority children are over-diagnosed and over-medicated7.  Girls have lower rates and less severe ADHD than boys

* All of these are common misconceptions about ADHD and

the use of medication 

Websites on ADHD & Medication...

Help4adhd.org

Sponsered by the National Resource Center on ADHD, a program of CHADD, this site includes under diagnosis, treatment, and medication management.  Also, it has fact sheets for parents on managing mediation for children and adolescents.

ADHD & Medication Guide

This site contains a 28 page parent medication guide by the American Psychiatric Association.  This is a handy guide to help support families in their decision making process regarding medication.

Websites on ADHD & Medication...

HELPGUIDE.org - ADHD & Medications

ADHDNews - ADHD & Medications

The site below describes what ADHD medications are capable of doing for a child.  It discusses the different drugs that can be used.  It also provides guidelines for using ADHD drugs.

This site offers things to consider before starting ADHD medications.  It discusses the side effects of using ADHD medications.  It also talks about the benefits of using ADHD medications.

Videos on ADHD & Medication...

Diagnosis and Treatment of ADD & ADHD.

Warner Bros. ADHD Cartoon

This is a link to a video depicting a classic Warner Bros. cartoon used to give information about ADHD.  This could be used for a younger audience to explain some of the symptoms of ADHD.

This is a link to a video showing Dr. Edward Hallowell discussing the diagnosis and treatment of ADD and ADHD. The video shows a case study of Brad, a child with ADHD, and how Ritalin positively changed his life.  Ritalin was able to alleviate some of the symptoms of ADHD and allow Brad to perform better in school. Medication, if used properly, is very safe and can be very effective. 

Videos on ADHD & Medication...

Medication Risks v. Benefits

Dr. Kenny Handelman discusses medication treatment for children with ADHD.  He discusses the Risk v. Benefit ratio.  Medication side effects v. medication benefits. 

MTA Study of ADHD

This is a video discussing the results of the largest trial of treatment for ADHD, comparing drug treatment with intensive behavioral intervention.  Study found that medication management was the most useful intervention for children with ADHD.

Articles on ADHD & Medication...In the article below Dr. Norman Sussman argues that drugs that treat ADHD can have many benefits. He says there is an improvement in self esteem, improved academic performance, reduction in household tension, and less behavioral problems in school.  Dr. Sussman argues against all of the myths surrounding ADHD medications.

 

The article below discusses a study performed on 117 children with ADHD.  The children were administered medicine to help with their ADHD symptoms.  Results from the study showed that children's symptoms improved from the morning, through school hours, after school, and until the night.   Behavioral Medicine- ADHD Medication Provided Effective Symptom Control Throughout the Day

Primary Psychiatry- Explaining the Cognitive Enhancing Effects of Drugs that Treat ADHD

Articles on ADHD & Medication...The article below discusses a study on children with ADHD and the effects of using stimulant medication.  The study found that children with ADHD that did not use medications during testing preformed significantly worse than the medicated children with ADHD.

 Educational Psychology- Stimulant Medication in Children with ADHD

Journal of Attention Disorders- Benefits of Stimulants

The article below discusses how stimulants can improve concentration and attention but they do not neccessarily improve learning and achievement.  Stimulants can improve some behavioral impairments (hyperactivity, impulsivity, inattention) which can help a student in school but studies reveal that stimulants do not have an effect on cognitive abilities. 

ADHD & Medication

Our research finds that every child with ADHD has different symptoms; as a result, parents and doctors

need to work together to determine if medication works for the child AND if the effectiveness of the medication

out weighs the risks.