Study: ADHD meds may help kids in school

ROCHESTER, Minn., Sept. 19 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggested stimulants prescribed for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder helps their academic performance.

Dr. William Barbaresi, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician and lead author of the research, said the study is the first population-based, long-term study to examine the effects of prescribed ADHD stimulant medicine on school performance.

Researchers identified 370 children, mostly boys, who had ADHD, and matched them by age and gender to 740 children who didn't have ADHD. Both groups were followed for 18 years.

The researchers discovered children with ADHD not treated with medication had lower reading scores, increased absenteeism and dropped out of school more frequently than did children without ADHD. Children with ADHD who received treatment showed improvement in reading scores, and decreased absenteeism.

"The finding that treatment with stimulant medications is associated with long-term improvement in school outcomes is significant," said Barbaresi. "Previously, there was evidence that treatment with stimulant medications improved short-term academic performance, but there was no good evidence that long-term outcomes are better with stimulant treatment.

"Our data can guide clinicians in their efforts to help children with ADHD succeed in school."

The findings appear in the Journal of Development & Behavioral Pediatrics.