Academically, many children show clear improvements in the quantity and quality of the work they complete. It remains to be seen, however, whether these short term changes result in long term gains in children's academic, behavioral, and social functioning. The effects produced by stimulant medication occur quickly, and parents and teachers often observe an improvement in the child almost right away. For this reason, children often require several doses during the day. Despite the impressive empirical support for stimulant treatment, several cautions should noted.
Stimulants appear to be quite effective with adolescents but less helpful with most preschoolers.
Available data indicates that many adults with ADHD will also benefit. Most studies have been restricted to Caucasian males and less is known about the efficacy and safety of stimulant medication with females and minorities. To date, however, there is no reason to expect substantially different results in these populations. As with any medication, stimulant medication used in treating ADHD children can produce adverse side-effects in some children. In rare cases, stimulant medication can lead to nervous tics, hallucinations, and bizarre behavior.