Some children and parents find that medication has transformed their lives for the better. However, medication does not work for everyone. Even when it does, it is not a cure, and it is important that the child has adequate help with learning in the classroom, and with controlling behaviour. They can therefore learn better at school and can start to learn how to behave better. Children often say that when they are taking the medication they can think more clearly and find it easier to understand requests from parents and teachers.
School work becomes more interesting and enjoyable, results improve, and they have more friends.
Parents and teachers can do a lot to help a child to make these changes. Practical and effective ways of helping a child to improve behaviour include paying particular attention to good behaviour. It was first shown that they worked as long ago as 1937. These drugs are only available on prescription. The stimulant medication most commonly used in Britain is methylphenidate.