Attention Disorders: Think Twice Before Medication

When five-year-old Christian was expelled from kindergarten due to impulsive and hyperactive behavior, his parents knew they had to act. Christian was quickly diagnosed with ADHD, but his parents hesitated about the recommended medication treatment. Ultimately, they decided to enroll him in a behavioral therapy program first.

This decision is supported by findings from a study published in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. Conducted by Florida International University, the study revealed that although common medications for ADHD are often effective, they are much more beneficial when used as a secondary line of treatment, with behavioral guidance as the priority.

Behavioral therapies like the one Christian's parents chose focus on giving positive attention to good behavior (such as immediate compliance with instructions) rather than the usual focus on negative behaviors. Additionally, the child has the opportunity to earn points for good behavior and be rewarded with a favorite activity or prize.

Christian's parents reported to the media that the behavioral therapy was so successful that he was able to return to kindergarten, as his behavior became more manageable and reasonable. Eventually, he did need medication to concentrate on academic material; however, thanks to the initial therapy, he was prescribed a lower-than-usual dose—which was entirely sufficient.

"Our study's findings, showing that ADHD medications are more effective after behavioral therapy and are generally prescribed in lower doses, prove that it's time to reconsider the common practice of relying on medications as the first-line and often sole treatment for children with ADHD," the researchers wrote.