Medication Improves School Test Scores of Kids With ADHD, Study Finds

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who take medication to control the condition score higher on school tests compared to students who do not take ADHD drugs, according to a major, long-term study just released.

Nearly 600 children with ADHD in kindergarten through fifth grade were included in the study, which looked at how the students performed on standardized math and reading tests. On average, kids taking medication for their ADHD scored three to five points higher on the tests compared to their non-medicated peers. Looking at is another way, researchers said the medicated students were about three months ahead in terms of reading and two months more advanced in math.

However, all the students with ADHD, even those taking medication, scored lower on the tests and continue to have higher drop-out rates when compared to children who do not have the disorder, said the research team led by experts from the University of California, Berkeley. The study, which is published in the May 2009 issue of Pediatrics, is the largest and longest-term research on the affects of ADHD on standardized scholastic testing, according to reseachers.

Drugs Are Among ADHD Treatment Options

About half of the estimated four million American children diagnosed with ADHD take Ritalin or another prescription drug to control the inattention, extreme fidgeting, and other symptoms of the disorder, officials said. The researchers noted that while their study focused on the use of drugs in controlling ADHD symptoms, behavior therapy and tutoring, while not studied, also are effective for many children suffering from the disorder.

ADHD drugs are often favored by parents and teachers who find they can help control the bouts of out-of-control behavior while helping the student better focus on their school work. Guidelines formulated by the American Academy of Pediatrics say that stimulant drugs are effective, but that behavior techniques should also be used in treating ADHD.

No related posts.