ritalin and learning

From what I’ve run into Ritalin is not designed to help with learning. It is designed to help with inattention, distractability, impulsivity and the likes that interfere with learning.

If it succesfully treats the issues that get in the way of learning in a school enviornment, then it stands to reason that it should result in more learning.

If it really does remove the barriers to learning then it should be pretty easy to demonstrate scientifically a positive impact on learning.

Am I going to get the same sort of blank stare in response to this perfectly logical question here that I get from my kids teachers at school?

It sounds like you are more interested in fight than in information. You won’t get one from me: the issue of whether to medicate is a difficult one and there is a terrible need for more research. Meanwhile, parents must decide for themselves after finding out as much as they can. No one can make you give your child medication. And, if you are giving medication but you don’t think it is helping or if it is causing problems that outweigh the benefits, then no one can tell you to stop giving it. I give my child medication and helps him and causes him no side effects, but I really don’t care whether you medicate your child and certainly would not hold you up as an example of bad parenting if you don’t want your child to take medication. In any event, if you are genuinely interested in the question of whether stimulant medications help academic performance, this is what Gerald August, Ph.D., a research psychologist at the University of Minnesota has to say about the issue. August has done extensive work in the field of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)and has published a number of important papers comparing children with an ADHD diagnosis who also exhibit aggressive behavior problems with children with an ADHD diagnosis who do not exhibit aggression. He is currently
finishing a 5-year federally funded prevention study that targeted ADHD children and is beginning a federally funded
multisite study that will examine the relationship between early ADHD and later substance abuse.

“The reason so much effort has been expended to develop rigorous diagnostic criteria for ADHD, as well as for other childhood diagnoses, is the expectation that accurate diagnoses will lead to effective treatments. Most ADHD-ologists feel that stimulant medication represents the most effective short-term intervention for children accurately diagnosed with ADHD. Hundreds of controlled studies have demonstrated both the efficacy and safety of stimulant medications. Unfortunately, longitudinal research has yet to show that medication alone can alter the long-term outcomes of ADHD. While stimulants appear to be equally beneficial for DSM-IV defined subtypes of ADHD, the picture is not so clear when comorbidity is considered. Let us examine the effect of stimulant medication on academic
achievement. There are numerous studies that have shown that stimulants increase academic productivity in terms of on-task, number of math problems attempted as well as percentage of correct answers. There is also evidence to show improvements in reading rate and comprehension. To the extent that the ADHD student’s academic difficulties reflect a performance deficit, stimulants may provide an immediate and powerful benefit. However
achievement, as typically defined by educators, is a measure of acquired skill and knowledge that represents learning over an extended period of time. When ADHD children score poorly on standardized achievement tests (e.g., Woodcock-Johnson, Iowa Tests of Basic Skills), relative to their classmates, the problem may be one of a competence deficit. That is, they have failed to retain information or acquire skilled operations needed to accurately answer questions. This may have resulted from extended periods of inattentiveness and lack of effort or it may be the direct results of a neurological impairment that compromises the operation of word decoding. Stimulant medication, given an hour
prior to administration of an achievement test, would not likely provide (in some magical way) skills tapped by the achievement examination. On the other hand, medication taken over a long interval may eventually result in improved achievement (e.g., the child is more receptive to remedial education which translates into improved skill acquisition). Along the same line of thinking, stimulant medication should not be expected to remediate the impaired processing deficits of learning disabled children, although it may be beneficial to the point that it assists such children in being more responsive to their remedial instruction.”

At 10:06 24/05/01 -0400, not interested in a fight wrote:

>It sounds like you are more interested in fight than in information.

Not at all. I asked for information; specifically, published research
results demonstrating that medications improve learning (objectively
measured academic achievement). I realize that these medications are
not meant to treat “the impaired processing deficits of learning disabled
children”. However, it would indeed be reasonable to expect that efective
treatment of behaviors that interere with learning, should, assuming that
the child is in an enviornment where appropriate instruction is taking
place, result in higher academic achievement. The comment in the excerpt
below,”although it may be beneficial to the point that it assists such
children in being more responsive to their remedial instruction.”
just validates my question.

I am not at all interested in a fight. But you did correctly percieve that
I do have an
opinion on this issue.

I think my question is a legitimate one. Obviously, there are enough
people out there
doing research to try to demonstrate the efficacy of these medications,
which many
educators swear by. But from the excerpt below, it seems that they haven’t
done it yet.
If they succeed, I would consider them for my own children if and
when a physician indicates.

In conclusion, you did give me the name of a researcher, and his comments on what the research says and what he expects it to say in in the future. This, helps. But its not exactly what I ask for.

I do not need a scientific study to tell me it’s working for our child. Last year, he was a mediocre, depressed child that the teachers labeled “lazy” and had difficulty relating to other children. This year, with Ritalin, he is a straight A student and is happier with himself and his accomplishments.

I also have another ADHD child we do not medicate. But he is not depressed, not a mediocre student, and has plenty of friends. Ritalin would not be appropriate for him.

ADHD needs to be handled on a case-by-case basis and one solution does not fit all. You are acting as though some teacher has made you angry by implying that Ritalin is the automatic approach to managing ADHD. (Feel free to be angry at that teacher; we’ve been through that ourselves with our non-medicated son. But please spare this discussion board. We have it hard enough, thank you.) Certainly I would agree that a teacher shouldn’t suggest a particular approach, medication or otherwise. But I think it would be appropriate for a teacher to suggest that your child has an unusual amount with inattentiveness or hyperactivity that is interfering with the child’s ability to succeed and suggest contacting a knowledgeable specialist.

Ignore the person that is making you so angry. They have probably seen a few children were Ritalin has made a big difference and are over-generalizing that solution to the whole ADHD population. You are right that you will have to make that decision on your own with the advice of a specialist with appropriate qualifications.

Greetings Andy,

“Works for us” has given very sound advice. Appropriate treatment of ADD is definitely a case by case situation. I too was angered when my daughter’s first grade teacher told us she thought she had ADD. Who was she to ‘diagnose’ my child?! However, I certainly would have been receptive to hearing comments concerning unusual behaviors that were interfering with her academic progress. As “Works for us” indicates, ritalin is not an appropriate treatment for all ADD. If you haven’t already done so, I would encourage you to check out the website by Dr. Amen, nationally recognized expert in treating ADD. He has identified 6 types of ADD, 4 of which do not respond well to ritalin alone! He frequently prescribes just an appropriate diet and exercise to manage symptoms of ADD. At this website is an interactive checklist designed to help determine if a more complete evaluation is warranted. Hope this helps.

Blessings, momo

I would appreciate the url for that website, if you have it handy.

Regarding the advise of “works for us”, I feel that this kind
of anectotal approach to assessing treatments and educational approaches would be fine if it weren’t for the serious doubts that Dr.s Briggins and Stern have cast on the advisability of the drug due to its dangers and to the
biases of the pro-ritalin medical community.

Its not because of my anger that I require scientific proof for the efficacy of these medications. Its because of the arguments put forward in the abovementioned books.

I respect all parents for the decisions they take and belive that we are all
sincerely trying to do what is best for their children.

But in light of my doubts, I will insinst on scinetific evidence, or at least
a logical explanation as to why it is impossible to prove the drug’s efficacy
objectively.

Andy

Oops, Andy, I meant to post the url earlier. It’s http://www.brainplace.com
This website contains much, but not all, of the information in his book entitled Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the 6 Types of ADD by Daniel G. Amen, MD (check out the reviews at amazon.com). While I think the book title should be “Healing ADD”, it does contain a wealth of information regarding identifying and treating ADD. Dr. Amen uses diet and exercise as well as supplements and prescribed medications depending on the type of ADD and its severity.

Blessings, momo

Had to speak up. Scientific studies begin with a premise, I will prove this to be true or I will prove this to be untrue. I am not talking about just studies for ADD folks, but for cancer and other things as well. A person can find studies and statistics to support whatever their position is on a subject. For instance, many women are prescribed estrogen for post menopause because studies prove it to be beneficial. However some women increase their cancer risks by taking it so studies have also proven it to be detrimental. Obviously it is used on a case by case basis. So should medication be for any problem, including ADD.Perhaps instead of asking us parents where is the documentation for these two positions on Ritalin, you should be doing more reading and researching. I have found many books in the library (the old fashioned way to research) that either are for or against meds for ADD. You have to read all with a bit of skepticism, and figure out what you see as right for your situation. I read the book by Mate Gabor about what he thinks is the cause of ADD and I personally do not believe that I caused his ADD just because I did not stare deeply into his eyes for hours at a time when he was an infant. And so on. Most of us here have talked with our docs, read lots of info and made the decision that we felt was right for us. My son takes Ritalin, has for 6 years. Obviously, having the ability to focus and attend to what is being taught in the classroom will aid in the learning process and being able to focus and follow through on the schoolwork will improve school grades. I have seen what the meds do for my son. They enable him to be there for the learning to take place. Nowhere have I seen anyone state that Ritalin is a smart pill, with instant increases in a person’s knowledge. Knowledge is gained by learning and experience.Forgive my rambling, I had intended to ignore this particular post.

I have more belief in science than that.

True, some treatments or educational techniques have scientific data supporting both pro and con positions. In my view, if there are possible drawbacks to an approach, its benefits must be supported if not proven.

That is the case here.

I am going to keep continueto read up on this subject. If any of you have any more sources that haven’t been mentioned yet, I would be happy to get an update by email.

Thanks. and Shalom to you all.

Andy

Years ago recall reading a book about adult ADHD - Inattentive type predominantly - with an unusual title, How to Cure Hyperactivity (1981) by C. Thomas Wild and Anita Uhl Brothers, M.D., of Berkeley, California. C. Thomas Wild stated that a mild central nervous system stimulant-alerting agent, a FDA approved medicine (a special caffeine compound - 100 mg caffeine) for him, worked better than Ritalin, Dexedrine, or Dilantin in temporarily improving his ability to read and absorb educational materials because the medicine allowed him to control his attention far more easily and temporarily remember information better. His position was that the medicine was imperfect but far better than nothing; the account was extremely well-documented and reliable. He was very clear in saying the only real help he ever found was in the medicine mentioned which regularly reduced distractibility and increased attention span for him and worked as long as the medicine lasted (which was quite short, that is about four hours or so; taking an additional dose later did not work for him - but he had four hours of good concentration daily from the FDA approved medicine).

The book was quite clear: the right central nervous system stimulant-alerting agent for attention deficit in some cases (not all) can have a temporary, almost spectacular short-term effect on the topic of learning. The book was available through the non-profit Learning Disabilities Association of America.

Best wishes.

May you find what you are looking for, but I seriously doubt you will. I’ve been reading and researching for 10+ years. I’ve accepted the fact that my child has ADHD, receptive and expressive language disorders and requires RITALIN during the day to succeed/learn/etc. I used to do what you are doing now (first time I’ve responded to this bulletin board in 3 years), but instead of spending time looking for those answers, I spend the time with my ADHD child - helping her become the most/best she can be and maybe one day she’ll be able to sit in a classroom and learn without the aid of Ritalin. Until then……

God Bless

Excellent come back - will be back in 2004. My child is calling……..

As a Speech-Language Pathologists specializing in learning different children, I’ve referred many parents to ldonline and the discussion groups, but have not really gotten involved myself — well, until now — Our son was diagnosed last fall with ADD inattentive type. I have battled back and forth about medications. As a professional I’ve seen so many good outcomes from children taking ritalin and other meds for ADD, but as a parent, it’s much harder than I ever dreamed it would be to make this decision. He’s a strong B student with a few A’s occassionally. He’s easily distracted and loves to talk!! His teacher this year worked very well with him (and us) and he had a good year (with some bumps along the way). He actually holds himself together pretty well at school, it’s when he gets home that he has his meltdowns — though these have gotten much better. As I was discussing my son with a friend of mine, she mentioned a vitamin called Focus Factor made by Vital Basics — www.vitalbasics.com . Have any of you heard of this or tried it?
Thanks for your input
Martha

Greetings Martha,

We have not used Focus Factor but are looking into it for our dd. A friend of mine is using it with her 6yo son and indicates it is helping him. I don’t have specifics of what ways she think it is helping but I will talk to her about it this weekend and post back here.

Blessings, momo

For the past 5 months, my 7 year old's been taking 5 mg. Ritalin in the a.m. on school days and it's been lasting about 5-6 hours. Apparently, it's no longer lasting that long and rather than having him take an afternoon dosage, I inquired about the time-release Concerta. His pediatrician told me that was only available at higher dosages (17 mg.) so he recommended that I increase his morning dosage to 7-1/2 mg. (1-1/2 pills) and said it would last long enough to get him through the school day and, at the same time, increase his tolerance to the higher dosage, so that I may eventually put him on the Concerta.

I'm curious to hear from any of you who may have experience like this. Has your child's "attention span" been prolonged by increasing the dosage? Should I just give him the afternoon dosage? (My concern is I don't want him to have to go to the nurse's office). Thanks for your feedback.

My son takes the 20 mg SR ritalin, it lasts at least 6 hrs. We do not seem to have any rebound after school, in fact I usually don’t have to give him the 5mg after school dose for homework, he is pretty cooperative (unlike his earlier yrs!). My understanding is that it puts about 5mg in his system long term. I had asked because he didn’t like going to the nurse at lunch and he was only on 5mg twice a day previously.Well, plus the 5mg afterschool dose.Anyway he has taken this for 3 school years and it is still effective for him. He is about 4’10” and 80lbs finishing the 6th grade.Hope this helps.

If you are concerned about giving a dose at school, another option might be to try a different class of stimulant such as Adderall. Adderall last 6-8 hours for many (but not all) children and can be dosed more flexibly. The pills range from 5 to 20 mg and are scored so they can be easily split. The down side to doing this would be that you would be switching to stimulant you know works to one that might not work as well. Any way, you might want to ask your doctor about Adderall. I hope this helps.

Andrea

There is some research that supports the idea that essential fatty acid supplements like Focus Factor (and Efalex Focus) can help some percentage of children with ADHD. The research is not conclusive, but it is promising. You should definitely ask your doctor about the supplements because they are not safe for people with certain medical problems such as seizure disorders. We tried efalex for about a year without any clear positive results, but other people have had better luck than us. Stimulant medication works much better for my son, but YMMV.

Andrea

People can and do say anything. You can locate articles and books that say pretty much whatever you want. There are a plethora of attacks against the educational system, for example, that are based on hear-say and legend.

Breggin and his colleague can write all they want. We who are teachers and those who are parents have ample proof in the children with whom we work that medication does materially help ADHD patients.

I read a study recently where an experiemental group, after treatment for ADHD, was retested with IQ and achievement tests. The entire group improved both scores. I have first hand experienced students.

For goodness sake, if you cannot attend, focus and control impulses, how much instruction do you think you will get?

Finally, as a member of a family that is ADHD prone, yes it is often inherited, I am saddened by the folks who pointedly refuse to consider ADHD as an option. ADHD frequently devastates a life. True, very bright people can reasonably compensate for their ADHD, but this is often at a great cost to them, both socially and emotionally.

Dr. Amen has studied ADHD from a neurological standpoint since 1989. He has collected data across over 10,000 brain SPECT scans. These include the usual intake interviews, checklists and the scans. He has reprinted compelling pictures of what variously effected brains look like, before and on medication.

One of the reasons he postulates that some folks have had such bad experiences with ritalin is, as Momo states, there are 6 subtypes of ADHD and ritalin only works for two of these.

Momo, he does tend to prefer medication. He also gives credit to proper diet, supplements, exercise, etc. This can create a truly holistic treatment for this often devastating condition. If you absolutely REFUSE meds, then he will treat alternatively.

My brother and I both take Wellbutrin. WE were both adults when we started. Both of us had very difficult times across our lives due to our ADHD symptoms. We believe we were raised by an ADHD mother who manifested all of the ugly symptoms of the syndrome. No, it was not one bit fun, we both have suffered in many ways and can finally make some sense of ourselves and our lives as adults in our 30’s-40’s as the result of the diagnosis and medication. Intelligence got us both through school, however we are highly disorganized, snappy, we misread social cues and on and on an on.

Why would any parent want their child to have to go through this when there is help? No, parents, if the executive function in the prefrontal lobes does not work, due to chemical imbalance, you cannot simply will it away, discipline it away, positive behaviorally support it away………………those things do not produce permanant changes in behavior and self-discipline is just about the hardest thing in the world for a truly ADHD person. Classic symptom, they do not learn from their mistakes (feedback)! No, this is not because they don’t understand that their mistakes were mistakes, they just cannot marshall the self-discipline to make the behavioral changes w/o some help, something to modify the brain chemistry imbalances. Now, if you want to talk about alternative ways of altering brain chemistry (perhaps biofeedback), I’ll listen to that and Dr. Amen acknowledges that this is a promising route in the treatment of ADHD.

People can and do say anything. You can locate articles and books that say pretty much whatever you want. There are a plethora of attacks against the educational system, for example, that are based on hear-say and legend.

Breggin and his colleague can write all they want. We who are teachers and those who are parents have ample proof in the children with whom we work that medication does materially help ADHD patients.

I read a study recently where an experiemental group, after treatment for ADHD, was retested with IQ and achievement tests. The entire group improved both scores. I have first hand experienced students.

For goodness sake, if you cannot attend, focus and control impulses, how much instruction do you think you will get?

Finally, as a member of a family that is ADHD prone, yes it is often inherited, I am saddened by the folks who pointedly refuse to consider ADHD as an option. ADHD frequently devastates a life. True, very bright people can reasonably compensate for their ADHD, but this is often at a great cost to them, both socially and emotionally.

Dr. Amen has studied ADHD from a neurological standpoint since 1989. He has collected data across over 10,000 brain SPECT scans. These include the usual intake interviews, checklists and the scans. He has reprinted compelling pictures of what variously effected brains look like, before and on medication.

One of the reasons he postulates that some folks have had such bad experiences with ritalin is, as Momo states, there are 6 subtypes of ADHD and ritalin only works for two of these.

Momo, he does tend to prefer medication. He also gives credit to proper diet, supplements, exercise, etc. This can create a truly holistic treatment for this often devastating condition. If you absolutely REFUSE meds, then he will treat alternatively.

My brother and I both take Wellbutrin. WE were both adults when we started. Both of us had very difficult times across our lives due to our ADHD symptoms. We believe we were raised by an ADHD mother who manifested all of the ugly symptoms of the syndrome. No, it was not one bit fun, we both have suffered in many ways and can finally make some sense of ourselves and our lives as adults in our 30’s-40’s as the result of the diagnosis and medication. Intelligence got us both through school, however we are highly disorganized, snappy, we misread social cues and on and on an on.

Why would any parent want their child to have to go through this when there is help? No, parents, if the executive function in the prefrontal lobes does not work, due to chemical imbalance, you cannot simply will it away, discipline it away, positive behaviorally support it away………………those things do not produce permanant changes in behavior and self-discipline is just about the hardest thing in the world for a truly ADHD person. Classic symptom, they do not learn from their mistakes (feedback)! No, this is not because they don’t understand that their mistakes were mistakes, they just cannot marshall the self-discipline to make the behavioral changes w/o some help, something to modify the brain chemistry imbalances. Now, if you want to talk about alternative ways of altering brain chemistry (perhaps biofeedback), I’ll listen to that and Dr. Amen acknowledges that this is a promising route in the treatment of ADHD.

My son started wout on 5mg Ritalin twice daily (it only lasted about four hours for him). There was a certain stigma attached to going to the school nurse to take the second dosage for a while. Things got a lot better once the other kids in the class saw the difference in him for themselves when he and the teacher forgot to get the second dose. The other kids even started reminding him after lunch that he needed to go get it.

Eventually we ended up going to 5mg 3 x daily for homework issues. At age 8 he went to 10mg 2 x daily with 5mg after school for homework. A few months ago he went on Concerta 36mg every am. At first it made all the difference in the world, but the longer he is on it, the worse things are getting. He didn’t want to do his work in class and became more disruptive as the school year ended. We are currently looking onto other medications.

If you check back in April, I had a discussion with a few other parents when I was first beginning to research Concerta and its affects on this board. If you read those it may also help your decision.

Good Luck!

Crystal

Jennifer, I have been recently diagnosed, and have finished a 30 day trial of Wellbutrin. Although I noticed I was calmer and didn’t drink as much soda per day, it did not seem to help with my ability to follow through and get stuff done. Have you been helped for those kinds of problems with Wellbutrin ? I asked my husband if he had noticed a difference, he said no. My 12 yr old told me I seemed less agitated and didn’t lose my temper this month.He told me I was scary when I did that. That is surely a benefit because that is one of the reasons besides the lack of organisation, follow through and memory(what memory ?) that I looked for help in the first place. However the temper flares seemed to be the worst just before that time of the month.I appreciate any insight you might have.Thanks!Amy

Greetings AmyF,

If you haven’t already done so, please check out Dr. Amen’s website at www.brainplace.com. He has identified a link between ADD and PMS. The index to his website is on the left side of the page. First scroll down and complete the Interactive Amen Brain System Checklist to help identify the possible type(s) of ADD you might have. Then scroll up and read the info about the identified type(s). Then scroll up again and read info under the PMS section. You might find that you need a combo of meds to help control the negative symptoms of your ADD.

Hope this helps answer your questions.

Blessings, momo

Actually, I have been to the site, and looked things up. It would appear to be a high possibility of inattentive add which is what the psych concurred with as well as a possibility of limbic add.Both treated a little differently I think. I only took 75 mg once a day of Wellbutrin, just wondering if I should be able to see the difference in me on that med that I see in my son who is inattentive and on Ritalin.He is night and day as far as mood and follow through as well as focus depending on whether or not he has taken his med.I have experimented with him as far as homework( a writing/research project he had to do over a weekend) and found the difference pretty amazing. Thanks for your info.

Quick question? Has anyone found an adult add site where folks are not in total chaos? So far the ones I have seen are kind of depressing. Although, with the exception of this site, most of the add parent sites seem to be also. So far my favorite seems to be Bob Seay’s, he seems to have a good sense of humor.
Thanks y’all!!

The prescribing information for Concerta is available online at www.concerta.net ( this is the same information in the package insert). The idea of Concerta, as you know, is that the drug (methylphenidate, the same drug in Ritalin) is released much more slowly than the standard Ritalin tablet. A chart in the prescribing information shows that if a child has been taking Ritalin 5 mg two or three times a day then the Concerta 18 mg dose is about equivalent in effect. That is, because the Concerta is released so slowly one would not expect for the blood level at any given point in time to be significantly different than the peak blood level achieved after a 5 mg dose of regular, BUT the duration of time that this blood level exists is longer. If your child has safely taken 5 mg once per day, but it seems like perhaps he needs a second dose then you could ask your doctor’s permission to try (on a Saturday) to give him his usual morning dose of 5 mg then 4-6 hours later a second 5 mg dose. If you are satisfied that he tolerates this and it is effective then there is no need to worry excessively about trying the 18 mg Concerta dose. The difference is more in how long he is exposured to the drug, rather than the maximum amount of the drug to which he is exposed to at any given time.

Greetings amyf,

In Dr. Amen’s book, Healing ADD, he spotlights a few of his patients. Of the five with Limbic ADD, he was able to treat two of them with DL-phenylalanine & L-tyrosine, plus the Zone diet and exercise. One patient needed Wellbutrin to stabilize mood plus Adderall for energy and focus, in addition to diet & exercise (it took 2mos for this patient to experience optimal benefits). One patient successfully used only Wellbutrin (after trying DL & L alone which proved was ineffective for her). Another patient took amino acid supplements plus diet and exercise.

Of those with only Inattentive ADD, four of five were treated with Adderall plus diet and exercise. Only one patient was effectively treated without prescribed meds using only L-tyrosine).

You might benefit from another med, or combo of meds. Diet and exercise might prove beneficial. I would encourage you to talk with your doctor about your concerns.

Blessings, momo

Thank you so much for looking up all that for me, I am going to be talking with the doc this week. Just out of curiousity, this may not be appropriate, is your screen name, a nickname for mom from Missouri, or is it from a Billy Idol song? I am not making fun or anything, I just think this everytime I see your name. I like it anyway.And thanks for your help. Amy

Greetings Amy,

You’re welcome!

Actually my screen name is pronounced mom-o because that’s what my daughter calls me. I write it momo though because it also works well to describe a mom from Missouri. And no, I don’t mind you asking!

Have a great day!

Blessings, momo

Research is out there if you look for it. Try the C.H.A.D.D. web site http://www.CHADD.org The CEC has a web site, http://www.cec.sped.org
The National Center for Learning Disabilities could show you some research concerning the effectiveness of Ritalin. http://www.ncld.org
The American Academy of Childand Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) does research on medication of children so this would be a very good place to look. You can get to this resource through C.H.A.D.D.
Now do your homework!

My son is not on Ritalin but on Adderall, and can definitely attest to the fact that when it is used correctly, medication helps the learning process. He had been on Adderall for more than 3 years when he started complaining about going to the nurse after lunch so we decided to try Concerta (timed realese Ritalin) which did not work for him. On the Concerta he was difficult to manage and the teacher said that he could not pay attention. After a month we started seeing his tests scores come home-my honor roll son was bringing home failing grades. We immediately switched back to Adderall and he finished the scholl year on the honor roll.

Ritalin and Adderall sometimes both need to be tried to find which is right.My son cannot concentrate enough to even try to learn without his medication. He has been IQ tested with and without medication and the difference is more than 20 points. In other words, he cannot even concentrate enough to show us what he does know without his medication. The difference in the CAT scores for the tests he takes right before lunch compared to those he takes first thing in the morning is also incredible.

As an educator, I have also seen children who are being medicated who do not show any improvement-this could be do to the wrong medication being used, the wrong dosage being used, or the wrong diagnosis being reached. I have found with my son that the timing is very important-if he does not take his meds within 15 minutes of getting up, he might as well not take them at all. It is all hit or miss unfortunately there is no “one size fits all” medication for AD(H)D.