Stimulants such as Ritalin, Dexedrine, and Cylert allow the brain and nervous system to communicate with the rest of the body more effectively which improves attention span, concentration, motor control, and on-task behavior while reducing hyperactivity. From 60 to 90 percent of school-aged children with ADD are treated with stimulant medication for a prolonged period of time. However, medication is not a total solution. While studies show that stimulants effectively calm 70 percent of children with ADD, this effect decreases over time, and most studies show that medication results in few long-term benefits on academic achievement and social adjustment. In addition, medication may have side effects.
Some children lose weight, lose their appetite, or have problems falling asleep.
Less common side effects include slowed growth, a tic disorder, and problems with thinking or with social interaction. These effects usually can be eliminated by reducing the dosage or changing to a different medication. An effective non-medical treatment is to help children learn how to control their behavior. Many teachers and parents use a form of positive reinforcement in which the child is rewarded for good behavior. Children with ADD perform best when they have an organized structure with consistent rules so that they can clearly understand what they are doing and what they should do next.