How well do stimulants work?
Many studies show that either one of the two main stimulants (methylphenidate or dextroamphetamine) will help about 7 out of 10 children with ADHD. Again, about 70 percent of children who don’t respond well to the first stimulant tried will respond well to the other. There is no good way to tell which medication a child is going to respond to best. A “good response” means a very noticeable improvement in activity level, attention, and impulse control. Most children do best when medication is combined with nonmedical behavioral and educational therapy Click here to join the discussion on ADHD and Attention Problems. Stimulants do not make children smarter. But they can help a child complete his work, follow rules more consistently, and get by with less friction at home and in school. In older children, they might also improve sports performance (because of better concentration) and driving safety. Stimulants do not treat the other problems that sometimes accompany ADHD, such as learning
