Most Kids With ADHD Take Medication
Most Kids With ADHD Take Medication
84% of Kids With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Take Drugs to Treat the Condition
July 20, 2010 -- More than 80% of children who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder take prescription medications at some point to treat their symptoms, according to a new nationwide survey of parents by Consumer Reports Health.
Among the survey's major findings:
Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted an online survey in July-August 2009 of 934 parents of children under 18 who had been diagnosed with ADHD. Treatment findings come from 785 reports of youths who had visited a professional for ADHD treatment within the past 12 months, and 676 children whose parents said they had tried medication within the past three years.
The high percentage of parents who reported that their kids had taken medications doesn't mean that's what helps children the most or makes parents happiest, because 44% said they wished there were another way to help their children.
Slideshow: ADHD in Children
Consumer Reports' experts write that although medications can help children concentrate, feel calmer, and think before acting, side effects can be a problem. Side affects reported most often were decreased appetite, sleep problems, weight loss, upset stomach, and irritability.
The survey finds that 35% of parents believe that drugs help most when it comes to improving academic performance and behavior at school. It finds that 26% think medications helped their kids with social relationships and 18% say it improved their self-esteem.
Other findings from the survey of parents:
Most Kids With ADHD Take Medication
84% of Kids With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Take Drugs to Treat the Condition
July 20, 2010 -- More than 80% of children who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder take prescription medications at some point to treat their symptoms, according to a new nationwide survey of parents by Consumer Reports Health.
Among the survey's major findings:
- 67% of parents identify drug therapy as being beneficial, while 45% feel that switching their kids to schools better suited to help ADHD kids helps considerably.
- More than half of the children whose parents were questioned had tried two or more medications in the past three years.
- 37% of parents say having a learning specialist or tutor work with the child helps "a lot."
- 35% of parents say providing structure by maintaining a schedule of activities helps "a lot."
Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted an online survey in July-August 2009 of 934 parents of children under 18 who had been diagnosed with ADHD. Treatment findings come from 785 reports of youths who had visited a professional for ADHD treatment within the past 12 months, and 676 children whose parents said they had tried medication within the past three years.
The high percentage of parents who reported that their kids had taken medications doesn't mean that's what helps children the most or makes parents happiest, because 44% said they wished there were another way to help their children.
Slideshow: ADHD in Children
Medication Side Effects
Consumer Reports' experts write that although medications can help children concentrate, feel calmer, and think before acting, side effects can be a problem. Side affects reported most often were decreased appetite, sleep problems, weight loss, upset stomach, and irritability.
The survey finds that 35% of parents believe that drugs help most when it comes to improving academic performance and behavior at school. It finds that 26% think medications helped their kids with social relationships and 18% say it improved their self-esteem.
Other findings from the survey of parents:
- 65% say their children see a pediatrician for treatment of ADHD.
- 22% say their children are treated by psychiatrists.
- Nonmedical treatment providers including psychologists and learning-disability specialists. were involved in treatment of many of the children.
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