ADHD and Ritalin

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ADHD and Ritalin

• Christine and Nic

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ADHD

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• most studied and most controversial mental
  disorder
• a childhood onset behavioural/learning disorder
• has many subtypes/closely related disorders?
• often co-morbid with other behavioural and
  learning disorders

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ADHD

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• a result of combined genetic and environmental
  factors (linked to genes coding for dopamine
  transporters and receptors)
• associated behaviours include hyperactivity,
  inattention, and impulsivity
• diagnosis is primarily based on observation
• 3 -5 of population are diagnosed with ADHD

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ADHD Treatment

• The most effective treatments used to date are
• Medication (mainly psychostimulants)
• Behavioural treatments
• A combination of both

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Medication

• Medication as a treatment for ADHD is hotly
  debated
• Ritalin (a brand of methylphenidate) has around
  90 of the market
• though it was first used in 1957, we have very
  little data on long-term effects of the drug
• though it is generally considered safe, there are
  some health concerns

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Health Concerns

• memory loss, growth disruption, tics, addiction
  and abuse, psychosis, depression, sleep
  disruption, possible brain abnormalities,
  increased ADHD symptoms, decreased learning
  abilities, nervousness, insomnia,
  hypersensitivity, anorexia, nausea, dizziness,
  palpitations, headache, drowsiness, changes in
  blood pressure and pulse rate, angina, cardiac
  arhythmias, abdominal pain, weight loss, toxic
  psychosis, loss of appetite, stroke, cancer,
  liver damage, and interactions with other drugs

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Health Concerns

• 1 171 emergency room visits related to Ritalin in
  1994 (US statistic)

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The Article

• Should Children Receive Medication for Symptoms
  of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?
• presents both sides of the argument
• encourages parents and teachers to become
  well-informed
• a good introduction to the debate

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Points to Consider from the Article

• Studies show that prescription rates fluctuate
  depending on how tolerant parents and teachers
  are of a childs behaviour
• We still need to accommodate even if the student
  is being medicated
• Doctors and parents turn to medication as a
  solution to inadequate discipline, overcrowded
  classrooms, boredom, and resistance to authority

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Educational Considerations for Students with ADHD

• Engaging the child in active learning
• Including greater numbers of motor activities
• Organizing a classroom into a structured and
  predictable environment
• Positive reinforcement procedures

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Behaviour Interventions

• Set up an effective, proactive discipline system
• Create a behaviour modification plan if needed
• Assist the child with social issues
• Identify the childs strengths and build upon
  them
• Set aside a daily special time for the child

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Things to Consider

• Who is benefiting from the prescription of
  Ritalin?
• Is it helping people in the long-term, or just a
  bandade solution? (there is no evidence to
  support long-term improvements once medicating is
  terminated)
• Should medication be a first line of defense, or
  a last resort?

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Conclusion

• Students, parents, and educators need to be
  well-informed, and active in the diagnosis and
  treatment of ADHD
• Teachers should consider both the personal and
  educational interests of their students when
  discussing treatment strategies

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References

• Cook, Edwin H. (1999). Genetics of Attention
  Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
• Mental Retardation and Developmental
  Disabilities Research Reviews. 5
• 191-198.
• Ezell Powell, Sherlyn, Eileen Welch Dan Ezell,
  Colleen E. Klein, Linda Smith.
• (2003). Should Children Receive Medication for
  Symptoms of Attention
• Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? Peabody Journal
  of Education. Vol. 78,
• Issue 3, p. 107-115.
• Leonard, Brian E. Denice McCartan, John White,
  David J. King. (2004).
• Methylphenidate A Review of its
  neuropharmacological,
• neuropsychological and adverse clinical effects.
  Hum Psychopharmacol
• Clin Exp. 19 151-180.
• Pelham, William E. Jr. and Elizabeth M Gnagy.
  (1999). Psychosocial and
• Combined Treatments for ADHD, Mental Retardation
  and Developmental
• Disabilities Research Reviews. 5225-236.
• Wolraich, Mark L. (1999). Attention Deficit
  Hyperactivity Disorder The Most