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ADHD

Parents Medication Guide

Attention-Deﬁcit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Prepared by:
American Academy
of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry and
American Psychiatric
Association

ADHD Parents Medication Guide

■

Table of Contents
Introduction

Causes, Symptoms & Choosing Treatment 2
What is ADHD? 2
How do I ﬁnd out if my child has ADHD? 3
What types of treatments are effective? 3
Will medication cure my child? 4
Choices in Medication 5
What types of medication are available? 5
Taking ADHD Medication 6
How is ADHD medication taken? 6
Can over-the-counter or prescription medication interfere with ADHD medication? 6
How do I know the medication is working? 7
Are there times when my child can take a break from medication? 7
How will ADHD medication make my child feel? 7
When is it okay to stop taking ADHD medication? 8
How do I explain ADHD medication to my child? 8
Stimulant Medication & Addiction 9
Is there a risk my child may become addicted to stimulant medication? 9
Side Effects & ADHD Medication 9
What are the most common side effects? 9
What are the rare or serious side effects? 10
Do I need to monitor my child’s appetite, weight, and height? 11
How can I best manage some of the common side effects my child may experience? 12
School & the Child with ADHD 13
How can the school help my child with ADHD? 13
How does ADHD affect my child’s ability to form friendships? 14
Does my child need treatment when not in school? 14
Disorders that Can Accompany ADHD 15
What are some of the more common disorders that can accompany ADHD? 15
Can ADHD medication cause bipolar disorder? 16
Can my child take ADHD medication if there is a coexisting condition? 16
Psychosocial Treatments 17
What psychosocial or behavioral treatments can be useful? 17
Unproven Treatments 17
Do alternative treatments for ADHD, such as special diets or herbal supplements, really work? 17
What Does the Future Hold?

For More Information about ADHD 19
National Organizations 19
Fact Sheets about ADHD in English 21
Fact Sheets about ADHD in Spanish 22
Recommended Reading for Children 22
Recommended Reading for Adults 23
Contributors 24
Endnotes 25

The information contained in this guide is not intended as, and is not a substitute for, professional medical
advice. All decisions about clinical care should be made in consultation with a child’s treatment team.
No pharmaceutical funding was used in the development or maintenance of this guide.

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ADHD Parents Medication Guide

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Introduction
Attention-Deﬁcit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
is a neurobehavioral condition characterized by
excessive restlessness, inattention, distraction,
and impulsivity. It is usually ﬁrst identiﬁed when
children are school-aged, although it also can
be diagnosed in people of all age groups. In an
average classroom of 30 children, research suggests that at least one will have ADHD.1
High activity levels and short attention spans are
a normal part of childhood for many children, but
for those with ADHD, hyperactivity and inattentiveness are excessive and interfere with daily
functioning. Some children with ADHD only have
problems with attention; other children only have
issues with hyperactivity and impulsivity; some
children have problems with both. Over time,
children with ADHD tend to shed some of the overactivity and impulsivity, but
they often continue to have signiﬁcant problems with inattention, distraction,
and organization.
ADHD can interfere with a child’s ability to perform in school and capacity to
develop and maintain social (peer) relationships. ADHD can increase a child’s
risk of dropping out of school or having disciplinary problems. ADHD also is
associated with an increased risk of having problems with hazardous driving,
cigarette smoking, and substance abuse.
Effective treatments are available to help manage the inattention, hyperactivity,
and impulsiveness symptoms of ADHD and can improve a person’s ability to
function at home, at school, and in other places.
This medication guide is intended to help parents, patients, and family members better understand the treatments used to care for children with ADHD.
Before treatment can begin, however, each child must have a careful review
of his or her medical history, and a physical examination should be conducted.
ADHD symptoms should be assessed by a health care professional qualiﬁed to evaluate children with ADHD. The professional treating your child for
ADHD should be trained to diagnose and treat ADHD. They also should have
a thorough understanding of normal child development (such as pediatricians,
developmental pediatricians, child and adolescent psychiatrists, and pediatric
neurologists). Treatment may include medication, behavioral therapy, or a
combination of the two.

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As a parent or guardian of a child or teenager diagnosed with ADHD, you
may be aware of the debate surrounding the medication used to treat this
condition. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed
several research studies involving children and adolescents who were prescribed medication for ADHD and concluded that these medications are
effective and that the risks associated with these medications are known
and can be managed.
While the FDA found that these medications are generally safe and effective,
many children and teenagers who take medication for ADHD experience side
effects at one time or another. Some of these side effects can be signiﬁcant and
should be closely monitored.
Recently, the FDA directed the makers of ADHD medication to develop medication guides to better inform patients and their families about the known potential side effects associated with these medicines—common and rare. These
guides will be provided along with the ADHD medication when it is dispensed
from the pharmacy. Parents and guardians of children being treated with
ADHD medication should read the medication guides and talk to their
child’s doctor if they have any questions or concerns.2
For more information about the FDA’s medication guides, please click here.*

Causes, Symptoms &
Choosing Treatment
What is ADHD?
ADHD is a neurobehavioral condition with symptoms that include
excessive restlessness, poor attention, and impulsive acts. Estimates
show that between 3 and 7 percent of school-aged children and
about 4 percent of adults have ADHD.3
No single biological cause for ADHD has been found. But most
research points to genes inherited from parents as the leading
contributor to ADHD. For example, studies clearly show that ADHD
runs in families—seventy-six percent of children with ADHD have
a relative with the condition.4 Scientists are currently looking for
which genes, or combinations of genes, inﬂuence how ADHD
affects the behavior of those with the condition.

Potential Consequences when
ADHD is Left Untreated
• Increased risk for school failure and
dropout
• Behavior and discipline problems
• Social difﬁculties and family strife
• Accidental injury
• Alcohol and drug abuse
• Depression and other mentalhealth disorders
• Employment problems
• Driving accidents
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Delinquency, criminality, and arrest

Being born prematurely, maternal smoking or extreme stress during
pregnancy, being exposed to alcohol in the womb, and traumatic
brain injury also may contribute to the development of ADHD.
*http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ADHD/default.htm
The information contained in this guide is not intended as, and is not a substitute for, professional medical
advice. All decisions about clinical care should be made in consultation with a child’s treatment team.
No pharmaceutical funding was used in the development or maintenance of this guide.

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■

How do I ﬁnd out if my child has ADHD?
Because there is no brain imaging scan or blood test to diagnose ADHD,
it is important that a health care professional speciﬁcally trained to diagnose
and treat ADHD evaluate your child’s behavior. Clinicians, such as pediatricians
and child and adolescent psychiatrists, will be able to tell whether your child’s
behaviors are symptoms of ADHD or if he or she is just unusually active or
immature.
Most cases of ADHD are ﬁrst diagnosed in the early school years. Children
who are diagnosed with ADHD have symptoms that impair their ability to
function as well as other children the same age. These symptoms must last
at least 6 months before a child can be diagnosed with ADHD.
There are three subtypes of ADHD: primarily inattentive, primarily hyperactive/impulsive, and that with signiﬁcant symptoms of both (called combined
subtype).
Boys diagnosed with ADHD outnumber girls with the condition by about three
to one. Some doctors think that just as many girls have ADHD as boys, but they
are not diagnosed as often because they are less disruptive and because their
symptoms may not become unmanageable until they are older. For instance,
girls sometimes show their ADHD in less troublemaking ways, such as being
inattentive. Now that more health care professionals are aware of the unique
ways ADHD affects girls and boys, more girls are being diagnosed and receiving
treatment.5

“Before I was
diagnosed, a lot of
my time was spent
coping with my
ADHD symptoms.”
—an adult with ADHD

Some parents worry because more children are being diagnosed with ADHD
now than in the past. Research indicates that the increase is largely due to
enhanced awareness and improved detection of the condition—including
diagnosing children who may have less severe forms of ADHD. Now that more
people know about ADHD and its symptoms, younger children, adolescents,
girls, and adults with this condition are more likely to be identiﬁed and treated.
Despite the rise in ADHD diagnoses and the fear that some children are
still being incorrectly identiﬁed as having ADHD, underdiagnosis remains a
problem. There are still many children with ADHD (almost half) who are not
diagnosed and do not receive treatment.6

What types of treatments are effective?
To help families make important decisions about treatment, the National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) conducted the most in-depth study ever
carried out for evaluating ADHD treatments. This study is called the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (or the MTA). Data from this
study showed that methylphenidate (a commonly used stimulant medication
for ADHD) is effective in treating the symptoms of ADHD, either alone or in

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combination with behavioral therapy. It also found that treatment that includes medication is more effective for the symptoms of ADHD (such as hyperactivity) than behavioral therapy
alone. This is especially true when the medication’s dosage is
closely monitored and personalized for each child.7
The MTA study, along with dozens of other large-scale studies
that have assessed the safety and effectiveness of ADHD
medications, provides evidence that medication plays an
important role in the treatment of children, adolescents,
and adults with ADHD.
This research demonstrates that for most young people with
ADHD, medication dramatically reduces hyperactivity, improves
attention, and increases the ability to get along with others.
While medicine alone is a proven treatment for ADHD, the
MTA study found that combining behavioral treatment with
medicine was useful in helping families, teachers, and children
learn ways to manage and modify the behaviors that cause
problems at home and at school. In addition, some children
receiving combined treatment were able to take lower doses
of medicine.

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Most Common ADHD Medications
Trade Name

Generic Name

Adderall

mixed amphetamine salts

Adderall XR

mixed amphetamine salts

Concerta

methylphenidate

Daytrana

methylphenidate (patch)

Dexedrine

dextroamphetamine

Dexedrine Spansule dextroamphetamine
Dextrostat

dextroamphetamine

Focalin

dexmethylphenidate

Focalin XR

dexmethylphenidate

Metadate

methylphenidate

Metadate CD

methylphenidate

Methylin

methylphenidate
hydrochloride (liquid &
chewable tablets)

Ritalin

methylphenidate

Ritalin LA

methylphenidate

Ritalin SR

methylphenidate

Strattera

atomoxetine

Vyvanse

lisdexamfetamine

Behavioral treatments in the MTA study included three
approaches:

Over time, this list will grow. Researchers are
continuing to develop new medications for
ADHD.

• Parent Training: Helps parents learn about ADHD and ways
to manage ADHD behaviors.

The FDA directed pharmaceutical companies
to develop medication guides for each of these
medications. These guides can be accessed by
clicking here.*

• Child-Focused Treatment: Helps children and teens with
ADHD learn to develop social, academic, and problemsolving skills.

* http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/
ADHD/default.htm

• School-Based Interventions: Help teachers meet children’s
educational needs by teaching them skills to manage the
children’s ADHD behaviors in the classroom (such as rewards,
consequences, and daily report cards sent to parents).
Children with ADHD who have other mental-health conditions,
such as depression and anxiety, were especially helped by having
individual and family treatment as part of their treatment plan.

Will medication cure my child?
Medication is a highly effective way to treat the symptoms of ADHD, but it only
works when it is taken as prescribed. Unlike antibiotics and similar medications
that are taken for short periods of time to treat infections and other ailments,

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there is no ADHD medication that will cure this condition. Fortunately, the
majority of children with ADHD can improve signiﬁcantly with a combination
of medication and behavioral treatment.8
Research is ongoing to learn more about the way ADHD affects brain function
and how to best treat the condition. Other research is looking at the long-term
outcomes for people with ADHD.

Choices in Medication
What types of medication are available?
ADHD medications are grouped into two major categories: stimulant and
non-stimulant.
Stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate and amphetamines, are
highly effective treatments for ADHD and have been available for decades.
Amphetamines have been prescribed for more than 70 years; methylphenidate
for more than 50 years, and both types of medication have been very well
studied. Evidence shows that stimulants are quite safe when prescribed to
healthy patients and used under medical supervision.
The only FDA-approved non-stimulant medication, atomoxetine (Strattera),
also has been shown to be an effective treatment for ADHD. Some parents
prefer the non-stimulant atomoxetine (Strattera) because of their concerns
about stimulant medication. Also, atomoxetine (Strattera) may be a good
alternative for children who do not respond well to stimulant medication
or have other conditions along with their ADHD.
Deciding which ADHD medication is right for your child takes time, because
doctors often need to try more than one medication to ﬁnd the one that
works best.

Finding the correct
ADHD medication and
dose takes time. If
your child’s symptoms
are not better after
being on a full
therapeutic dose
of a particular ADHD
medication for a
week or more, the
prescribing doctor
may consider trying
another medication
or adjusting the dose.

Some ADHD medications might not be right for your child because of their
side effects. Both stimulant and non-stimulant medications have side effects.
A medication’s side effects usually can be managed by adjusting the dose,
changing the time it is administered, or switching medications.
Parents can help their child’s doctor ﬁnd the correct medication and dosage by
keeping a medication diary or log book to track how well their child is doing
and what side effects he or she may be experiencing.
If your child does not do well on any of the usual treatments for ADHD,
some medications that have not been approved by the FDA for the treatment
of ADHD may be helpful. However, these medications are usually only prescribed after ﬁrst-line ADHD medications and behavioral treatment have
already been tried.9
The information contained in this guide is not intended as, and is not a substitute for, professional medical
advice. All decisions about clinical care should be made in consultation with a child’s treatment team.
No pharmaceutical funding was used in the development or maintenance of this guide.

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ADHD Parents Medication Guide

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Taking ADHD Medication
How is ADHD medication taken?
Stimulant Medications: Stimulant medication comes in short-acting and long-

acting forms. Short-acting stimulants are generally taken two to three times a
day and last 4 to 5 hours per dose. Long-acting stimulants are usually taken
once a day and last between 7 and 12 hours. Sometimes doctors will prescribe
a combination of long-acting and short-acting stimulant medication, but this
approach has not been systematically studied.
For those children who have difﬁculty swallowing pills, a patch applied to the
skin, liquid medications, chewable pills, and capsules that can be opened and
sprinkled on food also are available.

“As soon as I started
taking stimulant
medication, it was
as if a light came on
in the room.”
—an adult with ADHD

Most doctors start children at a low dosage of stimulant medication and
increase the amount every 1 to 3 weeks until the ADHD symptoms are
under control. It can take several months to ﬁnd the correct dose of stimulant
medication.
Non-Stimulant Medications: The non-stimulant medication atomoxetine

(Strattera) is usually taken as a single daily dose in the morning or as two
divided doses in the morning and late afternoon or early evening. Most doctors
prescribe a lower dose initially and then gradually increase the dosage as the
patient adjusts to the medication. It can take several weeks to build up to the
correct dosage and several additional weeks to see the full effects.
There are other non-stimulant medications that are sometimes used for the
treatment of ADHD, such as tricyclic antidepressants, guanfacine, clonidine,
and bupropion (Wellbutrin). However, these drugs are not approved by the
FDA for the treatment of ADHD.
It is important not to miss doses of any ADHD
medication. Missing a single dose can leave
your child without the beneﬁcial effects of the
medication, and the ADHD symptoms may
return.

Can over-the-counter or prescription
medication interfere with ADHD
medication?
Yes, some over-the-counter medications can
interfere with your child’s ADHD medications.
For example, Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can
cause agitation in some children with ADHD.
Therefore, it is important to tell your child’s

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doctor about all of the over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications,
herbal supplements, and vitamins your child is taking. Your child’s prescribing
doctor will let you know which medicines are okay to take while on ADHD
medication, or you can ask the pharmacist about drug interactions before
purchasing a non-prescription medication, supplement, or vitamin.

How do I know the medication is working?
With stimulant medication, parents and teachers should see some beneﬁcial
effects within 30 to 90 minutes—depending on the dose and formulation used.
However, if the dose of stimulant medication is too low, your child’s symptoms
may not be affected at all.
Some beneﬁcial effects of the non-stimulant medication atomoxetine (Strattera)
might be noticed within the ﬁrst week of taking medication. However, it can
take several weeks for the non-stimulant medication atomoxetine (Strattera) to
reach its full effect—even if the dosage is correct.
When ADHD medication is working, many of the ADHD symptoms go away. It
is not uncommon, though, for some symptoms to linger. Behavioral treatments
may help with the remaining symptoms.

“My child is
happier now she’s
on medication.”
—a parent of a
child with ADHD

While it may take time to ﬁnd an effective medication and dosage, ADHD
medications do work. In fact, up to 90 percent of children with ADHD will ﬁnd
at least one medication or a combination of medications that works well for
them.10

Are there times when my child can take a
break from medication?
In the past, doctors often recommended that children take a break from their
ADHD medication after school, on weekends, and during the summer. Now,
many doctors recommend that children stay on their ADHD medication fulltime to get the beneﬁts at home and at play. This can be especially true for
teens who may beneﬁt from ADHD medication outside of school to help make
decisions about cigarette smoking, substance use, and risky behavior, as well
as help with completing their homework and paying attention while driving.11
However, some breaks from medication or reducing the medication’s dose
may be considered for less demanding times or if your child has troublesome
side effects.

How will ADHD medication make my child feel?
For most children, ADHD medication will make them feel calmer and more
able to focus and concentrate. Some of these changes may go unnoticed by
your child—although parents and teachers should notice positive behavioral
changes if the medication is working properly. ADHD medication should not

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change a child’s basic personality even though
it may make them less hyperactive and more
attentive. Sometimes children report feeling
a little unusual when they ﬁrst start taking
ADHD medication, but these feelings are usually minor and often go away with time. Also,
some children taking non-stimulant atomoxetine (Strattera) medication report feeling more
irritable than usual. Their irritability may improve with time, or changing the dose or medication also may help. If you notice a personality
change (such as a “zombie”-like personality) or
if your child is continually irritable while taking
medication, talk with your child’s doctor.

When is it okay to stop taking
ADHD medication?
Many children diagnosed with ADHD will
continue to have problems with one or more symptoms of this condition later
in life. In these cases, ADHD medication can be taken into adulthood to help
control their symptoms.
For many others, the symptoms of ADHD lessen over time as they begin to
“outgrow”ADHD or learn to compensate for their behavioral symptoms. The
symptom most apt to lessen over time is hyperactivity.
Some signs that your child may be ready to reduce or stop ADHD medication
are: 1) your child has been symptom-free for more than a year while on medication, 2) your child is doing better and better, but the dosage has stayed the
same, 3) your child’s behavior is appropriate despite missing a dose or two,
or 4) your child has developed a newfound ability to concentrate.9
The choice to stop taking ADHD medication should be discussed with the
prescribing doctor, teachers, family members, and your child. You may ﬁnd that
your child needs extra support from teachers and family members to reinforce
good behavior once the medication is stopped. You also will need to monitor
your child’s behavior once he or she is off the medication to make sure any
lingering symptoms are attended to.

How do I explain ADHD medication to my child?
It is important that your child understands what ADHD medication is, why
it is being prescribed, and how it can be helpful. This is especially true for
older children and adolescents who may have concerns about being “different” because they are taking medicine. You may want to compare taking ADHD
medications to wearing eyeglasses. Wearing glasses helps you see better just as
ADHD medication gives you better control over behavior so that it is easier to
focus, pay attention, learn, and behave.
The information contained in this guide is not intended as, and is not a substitute for, professional medical
advice. All decisions about clinical care should be made in consultation with a child’s treatment team.
No pharmaceutical funding was used in the development or maintenance of this guide.

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Stimulant Medication & Addiction
Is there a risk my child may become addicted
to stimulant medication?
Some parents worry that stimulant medication may make their child susceptible to addiction. This is a common misconception about ADHD medication.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), children who take
medication to treat their ADHD are less likely to have problems with substance
abuse than children with ADHD who don’t receive treatment.12

If taken appropriately,
ADHD stimulant
medications are
not addictive.

While few people who are prescribed ADHD medications abuse their
medication, giving or selling stimulant medication to others remains a
concern. Because of the known risk of abuse with these types of medications,
the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classiﬁed stimulants as
medications that require stricter control. These are referred to as Schedule II
or controlled medications.
The children and adolescents who misuse stimulant medication often do so
to “get high” or to improve school performance (“cram all night”). To ensure
these medications are used correctly, parents and guardians should make sure
they are kept in a secure place, and their use should be monitored. Parents also
must inform the child’s doctor if medication is missing or being taken inappropriately. If misuse is a concern, medication should be dispensed by a parent. If
medication is taken during school hours, most school jurisdictions require that
the medication be given by school personnel.

Side Effects & ADHD Medication
What are the most common side effects?
Most children treated with ADHD medication have some side effects. Some of
the most common and predictable side effects from stimulant medication are
reduced appetite, weight loss, problems sleeping, headaches, stomach pain, and
irritability. These side effects usually get better within the ﬁrst couple of months
of treatment.
The non-stimulant atomoxetine (Strattera) also can cause nausea, reduced
appetite, and weight loss. Some children complain of drowsiness or mild
irritability during the day while taking this medication; however, these side
effects usually go away after the ﬁrst month of treatment.
Side effects usually are not dangerous, but they should all be reported to your
child’s doctor—especially if they cause discomfort or interfere with your child’s
everyday activities. Side effects often can be reduced by switching medications,
using another form of the medication, adjusting the dose, or changing the time
the medication is taken.
The information contained in this guide is not intended as, and is not a substitute for, professional medical
advice. All decisions about clinical care should be made in consultation with a child’s treatment team.
No pharmaceutical funding was used in the development or maintenance of this guide.

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What are the rare or serious side effects?
Heart-related problems, hallucinations and agitation, suicidal thoughts, and
liver problems are some of the rare and serious side effects people on ADHD
medication may be at risk of developing.

Be sure to tell the

The FDA recommends that parents who are considering ADHD medication for
their child work with the prescribing doctor to develop a treatment plan that
includes a careful review of health history and regular medical exams. In par-

heart problems or

ticular, you should tell the doctor about any heart or mental-health
problems your child experiences while on ADHD medication and
if there is a family history of these problems.2
Heart-Related Problems: There have been rare reports of serious heart-related

problems, such as sudden death, heart attack, and stroke, in patients taking
ADHD medication. The FDA investigated these reports and found that many
involved patients who had undiagnosed heart defects. The FDA concluded
it was not possible to determine whether or not the hidden heart defect, the
medication, or a combination of the two caused the heart-related problems in
the reports. It appears that there is no increased risk of sudden death, heart attack, or
stroke for children taking ADHD medication if the child is healthy and has no current
heart problems. However, the FDA added a warning label to ADHD medication
cautioning doctors about prescribing them for people who have heart defects.13
Some children with heart defects may be able to take stimulants, but only under close supervision of their physician.

doctor if your child
has a history of
symptoms, such as
fainting, dizziness, or
irregular heart rate.
Also, inform the
doctor if there is a
family history of
major heart problems
or sudden death.

Hallucinations and Agitation: The FDA also investigated a small number of

reports of visual hallucinations, psychosis, and aggressive outbursts in patients
taking ADHD medication. Another FDA review of medications used to treat
ADHD showed a slightly increased risk (about 1 per 1,000) for hearing voices,
becoming suspicious for no reason, or becoming manic in patients who did not
have these symptoms prior to starting medication.2
Voicing Suicidal Thoughts: The non-stimulant medication atomoxetine

(Strattera) is associated with a rare, but potentially serious, side effect. There
is a slightly increased risk (about 4 per 1,000) of voicing suicidal thoughts
and feelings while taking the non-stimulant ADHD medication atomoxetine
(Strattera). While this risk is very low, monitor your child’s mental welfare
carefully by asking them about their thoughts and feelings when they are
on this medication—especially during the ﬁrst few months after starting
medication or when your child’s dose is increased or decreased.14
Pre-Existing Mental-Health Conditions: Patients with pre-existing psychosis,

bipolar disorder, or a history of drug abuse should be carefully monitored when
using ADHD medication. Evidence shows that some ADHD medications may
worsen pre-existing psychosis and bipolar disorder. Some children with these
conditions, however, can beneﬁt from ADHD medication but may need other

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When to Call the Doctor Immediately
• If your child is feeling faint or dizzy; complains of unusual heartbeats
(such as rapid or skipped beats), chest pains, or shortness of breath;
becomes agitated; begins having hallucinations; seems depressed; or
voices suicidal thoughts
• If your child complains of itching, right upper belly pain, or unexplained
ﬂu-like symptoms or if he or she has dark urine or yellow eyes or skin

treatment as well. Also, patients with a history of drug abuse may be at
increased risk of a relapse or misusing their medication if taking stimulant
medication. The role of stimulants in the treatment of adolescents with
ADHD and substance abuse problems remains unclear.
Liver Problems: There have been rare cases reported of the non-stimulant

atomoxetine (Strattera) causing potentially serious liver problems. Signs to
watch for are itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes,
and unexplained ﬂu-like symptoms.
To ﬁnd out more about the FDA’s warnings regarding cardiac risk and psychiatric side effects of ADHD medications, click here.†

Do I need to monitor my child’s appetite, weight,
and height?
Parents are in the best position to monitor their child’s well-being—including
mental and physical health.
As with any disorder, treatments and medication may have side effects. Some
of the things that are important to watch when your child is on ADHD medication include changes in appetite and weight. Your child’s growth rate also
should be monitored.
Monitoring weight and height is primarily the doctor’s responsibility, but it
is helpful for parents to pay attention as well. The effect of ADHD treatment
on growth has been studied for many years. Recent research shows that stimulant medication may be associated with a small reduction in growth (primarily
weight related), at least during the ﬁrst 1 to 3 years of treatment. However,
most studies show that any reduction in growth rate is often temporary and
unrelated to the child’s ultimate height.
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01568.html

†

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If there is a change in your child’s appetite or
weight, you should contact your child’s doctor.
You, your child’s doctor, and your child (if your
child is involved in making decisions about
treatment) can talk about changing eating
habits to keep his or her weight within the
normal range, as well as possible changes in
dosing or medications.

How can I best manage some of the
common side effects my child may
experience?
There are several things you can do to decrease
problems caused by the most common side
effects associated with ADHD medication.
Decreased Appetite: Some solutions for a

decreased appetite include administering medication after breakfast so your child will be hungry for the morning meal, feeding
your child large meals in the evening when the medication is beginning to wear
off, or having food available when the child is hungry. It also is prudent to feed
children taking ADHD medication a balanced diet with high-caloric foods and
drinks, as appropriate, to overcome any loss in weight. If your child’s reduced
appetite continues for a long period of time, you may want to ask the prescribing doctor if it would be okay to stop or reduce the dose of the medication in
the summertime or on the weekends.
Sleep Problems: Regardless of the cause of your child’s sleep problems, setting

up a healthy bedtime routine should help them get to sleep. This can include
bathing, brushing teeth, reading, or being read to. These activities should be
designed to relax your child. Also, try to avoid stimulating and distracting
electronics, such as radios, computers, and televisions, before bedtime.
If your child is taking a stimulant medication and a bedtime routine does
not help the sleep problems, talk with your doctor about administering the
medication earlier in the day. For children taking a long-acting stimulant
medication, you can ask about changing to a shorter-acting medication
(8 hours instead of 12 hours, for example). If your child is already taking
short-acting medication, you can talk to the doctor about reducing the dose
or stopping the medication in the afternoon to help your child get to sleep.
Or, in certain instances, a medication may be used to help with sleep.
Drowsiness: If your child is taking the non-stimulant atomoxetine (Strattera)

and becomes sleepy in the daytime, your child’s doctor may recommend
giving the medication at bedtime instead of in the morning, dividing the
dose and administering the medication twice a day, or lowering the dose
to reduce drowsiness.
The information contained in this guide is not intended as, and is not a substitute for, professional medical
advice. All decisions about clinical care should be made in consultation with a child’s treatment team.
No pharmaceutical funding was used in the development or maintenance of this guide.

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Behavioral Rebound: Some children taking stimulant medication may seem

more irritable and have an increase in ADHD symptoms in the afternoon or
evening. This is called “rebounding” by some doctors and may be caused by the
medication wearing off. To remedy this, your child’s doctor may recommend
trying a medication that lasts longer or taking a small dose of immediaterelease stimulant later in the day.9
Other Side Effects: If you have questions or concerns about these or other side

effects, contact your child’s doctor.

School & the Child with ADHD
How can the school help my
child with ADHD?
Schools can work with families and doctors
to help children with ADHD in school. Open
communication between parents and school
staff can be the key to a child’s success. Teachers often are the ﬁrst to notice ADHD-like
behaviors and can provide parents, guardians,
and doctors with information that may help
with diagnosis and treatment. Also, teachers
and parents can work together to solve problems and plan ways to support a child’s learning at home as well as at school. For example,
teachers will often use speciﬁc instructional
and behavioral strategies in the classroom to
help students with ADHD.
Students whose ADHD impairs their ability to learn may qualify for special
education under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) or for a Section
50415 plan under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Special education and 504
plans provide assistance to students with disabilities and are designed to meet
their unique learning and behavioral needs. Children with ADHD are eligible
for special education in the “Other Health Impairment” disability category
under IDEA. Children who do not qualify for special education may still be
eligible for a 504 plan.
Public schools are required to evaluate students and provide free appropriate
public education (FAPE)16 to all students with disabilities. Families also can
request that their child be tested to help decide if he or she can qualify for
educational services. However, parents and guardians must give written
permission before a school can provide testing or services to a child. Testing
and services are conﬁdential and are provided through the public school
system at no cost to the family.

“Finding out that
our child had
ADHD answered
a lot of questions
about why she
wasn’t performing
better at school.”
—a parent of a child with
ADHD

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Some children may need to take their ADHD medication during school hours.
If authorized by a parent or guardian, school staff can give a child prescription
medicine. Parents and guardians should contact the school principal, nurse, or
counselor if their child needs to take medicine while at school.
Federal law states that schools cannot make decisions about medicine for a
child or require students to take medicine to attend school.

How does ADHD affect my child’s ability
to form friendships?
Children with ADHD often have difﬁculty with social relationships, which
may cause conﬂict with family members or lead to rejection by other children
their age. A lack of social skills combined with hyperactive, impulsive, and
inattentive behavior may cause children with ADHD to act in ways that others
think are mean, bossy, rude, thoughtless, or weird. In addition, children with
ADHD, like children with other disabilities, are more frequently the targets
of bullies.
Medicine for ADHD can have positive effects on social behavior and improve
the way that a child relates to others. For example, they may be more able to
wait their turn in games or conversations or less likely to blurt out comments
without thinking. Parents can help foster good friendships for their children
by letting teachers, school counselors, and coaches know about problems that
might develop, arranging one-on-one play dates, and encouraging participation
in school activities and peer-group programs.

“ADHD always
made me feel
different from
the other kids at
school.”
—an adult with ADHD

Does my child need treatment when not in school?
The symptoms of ADHD are usually with your child—at school and at play
as well as at home. Most doctors recommend that children stay on ADHD
medication most of the waking day, especially if ADHD symptoms cause
distress in situations outside of school. Not taking ADHD medication
may put your child at risk. Younger children are at risk for injuries and
for having social issues when they are not taking their ADHD medication,
and adolescents are more at risk for motor vehicle accidents and other
risky behaviors.
It is possible that your child’s doctor may direct you to give your child a
break from medication during certain times, such as when they are out of
school, to help manage side effects. It is important for you and your child
to be aware that the symptoms of ADHD are likely to resurface once your
child is off of medication.

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Disorders that Can
Accompany ADHD
What are some of the more common disorders
that can accompany ADHD?
Research shows that two-thirds of children diagnosed with ADHD
have at least one additional mental-health or learning disorder.
To ensure an accurate diagnosis, your child’s doctor will look for
other conditions that show the same types of symptoms as ADHD.
The doctor may ﬁnd that your child has ADHD, another condition,
or ADHD and another condition. Having more than one condition is
called having coexisting (also called comorbid) conditions.
Coexisting conditions can make diagnosing and treating ADHD
more difﬁcult. They also create more challenges for a child to overcome, so it is important to identify and treat these other conditions.

Disorders that Commonly
Accompany ADHD
• Oppositional deﬁant disorder
• Conduct disorder
• Learning and language disabilities
• Anxiety disorders
• Depressive disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Tourette’s Disorder

Some of the more common coexisting conditions are oppositional
deﬁant disorder, learning and language disabilities, and anxiety and depressive
disorders.
Studies have shown that half or more children with ADHD also have oppositional deﬁant disorder. Children with oppositional deﬁant disorder often are
deﬁant of authority and have a tendency to intentionally bother others. Some
children with ADHD who exhibit more signiﬁcant behavioral problems are
diagnosed with conduct disorder. Conduct disorder is a serious psychiatric
disorder in which the child is aggressive to people and animals, is destructive
to property, and frequently violates society’s rules. Children with coexisting
conduct disorder are at much higher risk for getting into trouble with the law
than children who have only ADHD. Your child’s doctor may recommend counseling if your child has either oppositional deﬁant disorder or conduct disorder.
Twenty-ﬁve to 35 percent of children with ADHD will have a coexisting language or learning problem. Children with these coexisting conditions often
beneﬁt from scholastic and language therapies, as well as extra help at school.
Additionally, 33 percent of children with ADHD also have a problem with
anxiety or mood disorders (such as depression). Children with these problems
may beneﬁt from additional treatment as well, possibly including talk therapy,
medication, or both.

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One of the more serious coexisting conditions that can occur with ADHD is
bipolar disorder. Some signs that suggest your child has bipolar disorder are
overly happy mood, grandiosity (believing that they are much more talented
than they really are), racing thoughts, and less need for sleep. On the other
hand, many children with bipolar disorder as a coexisting condition appear
highly irritable and overly sensitive and reactive and are often described
as “an emotional roller coaster.”
Only a qualiﬁed mental-health clinician can determine whether your child’s
behaviors are caused by ADHD, another condition, or a combination of the two.
A thorough assessment and accurate diagnosis are essential to choosing the
right treatments, including which medication might beneﬁt your child the
most and which medication might make certain disorders worse.9

■

When ADHD
medication fails
to improve a child’s
symptoms, it may be
a sign of a coexisting
condition.

Can ADHD medication cause bipolar disorder?
No. ADHD medication does not cause bipolar disorder. However, ADHD
medications can make pre-existing manic symptoms worse. And, in rare instances, they also may cause manic episodes or behavior. If your child becomes
manic or overly irritable while taking ADHD medication, contact your child’s
doctor immediately.

Can my child take ADHD medication if there
is a coexisting condition?
If your child’s doctor determines that your child has one or more coexisting
conditions, a treatment plan should be developed to address each coexisting
condition as well as the ADHD.
Many children with ADHD and coexisting conditions take medication to help
treat their ADHD. For example, children with ADHD and anxiety or disruptive
behavior disorders have as good a response to stimulants as do patients who
do not have these coexisting conditions.9
Proceed with medication cautiously if your child is diagnosed with bipolar disorder
as a coexisting condition. There have been rare reports that stimulants worsen
bipolar disorder. If your child suddenly becomes aggressive or depressed, or if
he or she voices suicidal thoughts after starting an ADHD medication, contact
your child’s doctor immediately.
Additional monitoring also is advised when treating youth with stimulant
medications who have coexisting substance abuse disorders.

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Psychosocial Treatments
What psychosocial or behavioral treatments
can be useful?

Home and School Strategies
for Your Child

Psychosocial (or behavioral) treatment alone, such as social skills
training or individual therapies, has not been shown to be as effective
as medicine for the core symptoms of ADHD. However, behavioral
treatment on its own may be recommended as an initial treatment if the
symptoms of ADHD are mild, the diagnosis of ADHD is uncertain, or
the family prefers this type of treatment.

• Have the same routine every day.
• Organize everyday items.
• Use organizers for homework.
• Keep rules consistent and balanced.

Whether or not your child is on medication, behavioral treatment can
help manage ADHD symptoms and lessen their impact on your child.
One study showed that you may be able to lower your child’s medication dosage if behavioral therapy is working well. Many parents ﬁnd
that the best way to learn how to use these techniques is to work with
a therapist who has experience in behavior issues. Most doctors recommend that parents and guardians attend parenting classes, particularly
those focused on managing children with ADHD.
Teachers also can beneﬁt from using behavioral training techniques. They can
set up programs similar to those at home, giving rewards for good behaviors
and consequences for unwanted behaviors to help children learn boundaries
and how to deal with choices in the school setting.

Unproven Treatments
Do alternative treatments for ADHD, such as special diets or
herbal supplements, really work?
Parents often hear reports of “miracle cures” for ADHD on the television, in
magazines, or in advertisements. Before considering any treatment for ADHD,
ﬁnd out whether the source of this information is unbiased and whether the
claims are valid, and discuss it with your child’s doctor. Also keep in mind that
there is no known cure for ADHD at this time.
Some of the more prevalent unproven treatments for ADHD are special diets,
herbal supplements, homeopathic treatments, vision therapy, chiropractic
adjustments, yeast infection treatments, anti–motion-sickness medication,
metronome training, auditory stimulation, applied kinesiology (realigning
bones in the skull), and brain wave biofeedback.17
While it would be wonderful if these treatments worked, rigorous scientiﬁc
research has not found these alternatives to be effective managing the
symptoms of ADHD—and they are deﬁnitely not “cures.”

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Always tell your child’s doctor about any alternative therapies, supplements, or
over-the-counter medications that your child is using. They may interact with
prescribed medications and hinder your child’s progress or compromise your
child’s safety.
If you plan to try this type of treatment, it is helpful to use the same measures
you would use to tell if one of the FDA-approved medications is working.
These include behavior rating scales and speciﬁc target goals that you set
up in consultation with your child’s doctor.

What Does the Future Hold?
It was once thought that most children would outgrow ADHD by their teenage
years. We now know this is not true. While some of the symptoms of ADHD
can diminish over time,10 and some children may outgrow the disorder, most
children with ADHD will continue to experience some ADHD symptoms during their later years.9
For some people, ADHD is a lifelong condition. Almost 50 percent of children
with ADHD still have symptoms that require treatment in adulthood.9 Early
diagnosis can help these individuals learn how to manage their symptoms and
succeed in life.

“Once I started
ADHD medication,
I had the perspective to look back on
my life and see why
some things I tried
had failed.”
—an adult with ADHD

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For More Information about ADHD
National Organizations

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
3615 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-3007
1-202-966-7300
http://www.aacap.org
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
Leawood, KS 66211-2672
1-800-274-2237
http://www.aafp.org
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
141 Northwest Point Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098
1-847-434-4000
http://www.aap.org
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825
Arlington, VA 22209
1-703-907-7300
http://www.psych.org
Attention Deﬁcit Disorder Resources
223 Tacoma Avenue, South, #100
Tacoma, WA 98402
1-253-759-5085
http://www.addresources.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
1-404-639-3311
http://www.cdc.gov
Children and Adults with Attention-Deﬁcit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
8181 Professional Place, Suite 150
Landover, MD 20785
1-800-233-4050
http://www.chadd.org

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Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
9605 Medical Center Drive, Suite 280
Rockville, MD
1-240-403-1901
http://www.ffcmh.org
LD OnLine
WETA Public Television
2775 South Quincy Street
Arlington, VA 22206
http://www.ldonline.org
National Association of State Directors of Special Education, Inc. (NASDSE)
IDEA Partnership
1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 320
Alexandria, VA 22314
1-877-IDEA-info
http://www.ideapartnership.org
National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY)
P.O. Box 1492
Washington, DC 20013
1-800-695-0285
http://www.nichcy.org
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
6001 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892
1-866-615-6464
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
Public Information and Communications Branch
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
1-866-615-6464
http://www.nimh.nih.gov
National Resource Center on AD/HD
8181 Professional Place, Suite 150
Landover, MD 20785
1-800-233-4050
http://www.help4adhd.org
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER Center)
8161 Normandale Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55437
1-888-248-0822
http://www.pacer.org
The information contained in this guide is not intended as, and is not a substitute for, professional medical
advice. All decisions about clinical care should be made in consultation with a child’s treatment team.
No pharmaceutical funding was used in the development or maintenance of this guide.

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Fact Sheets about ADHD in English
Children Who Can’t Pay Attention
http://www.aacap.org/page.ww?section=Facts%20for%20Families&name=
Children%20Who%20Can’t%20Pay%20Attention/ADHD
What We Know
http://www.help4adhd.org/en/about/wwk
The Disorder Named ADHD
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK1.pdf
Parenting a Child with AD/HD
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK2.pdf
Managing Medication for Children and Adolescents with AD/HD
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK3.pdf
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK3s.pdf (short version)
Educational Rights for Children with AD/HD
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK4.pdf
AD/HD and Co-Existing Disorders
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK5.pdf
AD/HD and Coexisting Conditions: Tics and Tourette Syndrome
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK5a1.pdf
AD/HD and Coexisting Conditions: Disruptive Behavior Disorders
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK5b3.pdf
AD/HD and Coexisting Conditions: Depression
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK5c.pdf
Complementary and Alternative Treatments
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK6.pdf
Deciding on a Treatment for AD/HD (short version)
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK6s.pdf
Psychosocial Treatment for Children and Adolescents with AD/HD
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK7.pdf
Behavioral Treatment for Children and Teenagers with AD/HD
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK7s.pdf

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AD/HD Predominantly Inattentive Type
http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK8.pdf
Medication Diversion
http://www.help4adhd.org/en/living/parenting/diversion

Fact Sheets about ADHD in Spanish
Hoja de Datos de CHADD
Spanish-Language Fact Sheets
http://www.help4adhd.org/espanol.cfm
El Trastorno Llamado TDA/H
http://209.126.179.236/fs/sfs1.htm
Criando a un niño con el Trastorno por Déﬁcit de Atención e Hiperactividad
http://209.126.179.236/fs/sfs2.htm
Manejo médico de los niños y adultos con el TDA/H
http://209.126.179.236/fs/sfs3.htm
Derechos educacionales de los niños con el TDA/H
http://209.126.179.236/fs/sfs4.htm
TDA/H y Trastornos Coexistentes
http://209.126.179.236/fs/sfs5.htm
Evaluando las Intervenciones Complementarias y/o Controvertibles
http://209.126.179.236/fs/sfs6.htm
Educational Rights for Children with Attention-Deﬁcit/Hyperactivity Disorder:
A Primer for Parents (1996)—free bilingual booklet
http://www.help4adhd.org/pr060106.cfm

Recommended Reading for Children
Learning To Slow Down & Pay Attention: A Book for Kids About ADHD (2004)
Kathleen G. Nadeau, Ellen B. Dixon, and Charles Beyl
Jumpin’ Johnny Get Back to Work! A Child’s Guide to ADHD/Hyperactivity (1991)
Michael Gordon
The Survival Guide for Kids with ADD or ADHD (2006)
John F. Taylor
Joey Pigza Loses Control (2005)
Jack Gantos

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50 Activities and Games for Kids with ADHD (2000)
Patricia O. Quinn (Editor)
The Girls’ Guide To AD/HD: Don’t Lose This Book! (2004)
Beth Walker

Recommended Reading for Adults
Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents
(revised edition) (2000)
Russell Barkley
Raising Resilient Children: Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in Your Child (2002)
Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein
Attention Deﬁcit Disorder: The Unfocused Mind in Children and Adults (2006)
Tom Brown
Teenagers with ADD and ADHD: A Guide for Parents and Professionals
(revised edition) (2006)
Chris Dendy
A Bird’s-Eye View of Life with ADD and ADHD: Advice from Young Survivors (2003)
Chris Dendy and Alex Dendy
Making the System Work for Your Child with ADHD (2004)
Peter Jensen
Practical Suggestions for AD/HD (2003)
Clare Jones
Kids in the Syndrome Mix of ADHD, LD, Asperger’s, Tourette’s, Bipolar, and More!
The One-Stop Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Other Professionals (2005)
Martin Kutscher, Tony Attwood, and Robert Wolff
Help4ADD@High School (1998)
Kathleen Nadeau
Putting on the Brakes: Young People’s Guide to Understanding Attention Deﬁcit
Hyperactivity Disorder (2001)
Patricia Quinn and Judith Stern
The ADHD Book of Lists: A Practical Guide for Helping Children and Teens with Attention
Deﬁcit Disorders (2003)
Sandra Rief

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Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach
(APA Lifetools) (paperback) (2004)
Vincent J. Monastra, Ph.D.
Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medications for Kids (revised edition)
(paperback) (2004)
Timothy E. Wilens, M.D.
The Gift of ADHD: How to Transform Your Child’s Problems into Strengths (paperback) (2005)
Lara Honos-Webb
Twelve Effective Ways to Help Your ADD/ADHD Child: Drug-Free Alternatives for
Attention-Deﬁcit Disorders (paperback) (2000)
Laura J. Stevens
Thom Hartmann’s Complete Guide to ADHD: Help for Your Family at Home, School
and Work (paperback) (2000)
Thom Hartmann, Lucy Jo Palladino (Foreword), and Peter Jaksa (Afterword)
ADD & ADHD Answer Book: The Top 275 Questions Parents Ask
(paperback) (2005)
Susan Ashley

Contributors
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
American Psychiatric Association (APA)
Children and Adults with Attention Deﬁcit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation
Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health
Mental Health America
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

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Endnotes
1

Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/adhd.cfm#intro. Accessed
4/12/07.

Available at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01568.html.
Accessed 3/12/07.

American Psychiatric Association, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric
Association, 2004.

Faraone SV, Perlis RH, Doyle AE, Smoller JW, Goralnick JJ, Holmgren MA,
Sklar P, Molecular genetics of attention-deﬁcit/hyperactivity disorder. Biol
Psychiatry 2005;57:1313–1323.

WebMD Health News. ADHD in girls may often go undiagnosed. Available at:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/517925. Accessed 2/13/07.

Psychiatric Times. Overcoming the specter of overdiagnoses. Available at:
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/p020801b.html. Accessed 2/13/07.

Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/childhp/mtaqa.cfm. Accessed 2/10/07.

Greenhill LL, Stimulant medication treatment of children with attention
deﬁcit hyperactivity disorder. In: Attention Deﬁcit Hyperactivity Disorder:
State Of Science. Best Practices, Jensen PS, Cooper JR, eds. Kingston, NJ:
Civic Research Institute, 2002.

American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Practice parameter
for the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with
attention-deﬁcit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry
2007;46(7):894-921.

Goldman LS, Genel M, Bezman RJ, Slanetz PJ, Diagnosis and treatment of
attention-deﬁcit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Council
on Scientiﬁc Affairs. JAMA 1998;279:1100–1107.

U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Trafﬁc Safety
Administration, Study shows that young adults diagnosed with severe
attention deﬁcit hyperactivity disorder as children have more driving risks.
Trafﬁc Tech 1996;131.

Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/NIDA_Notes/NNVol14N4/ADHD.
html. Accessed 2/22/07.

Available at: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/safety06.
htm#Dexedrine. Accessed 2/12/07.

Available at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2005/NEW01237.html.
Accessed 2/12/07.

Available at: http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/504.html. Accessed 4/29/07.

Available at: http://www.ed.gov/about/ofﬁces/list/ocr/docs/edlite-FAPE504.
html. Accessed 4/29/07.

Available at: http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/adhd.cfm. Accessed 4/12/07.

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ParentGuide ADHD Medication Parent Guide English

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