A team at Yale analyzed 32 studies and compared the side effects of two different classes of ADHD medications – methylphenidates, such as Ritalin, and amphetamine derivatives, such as Adderall...The team found that only amphetamine-derived medications were associated with an increase in irritability. Methylphenidates were not.

Impax Laboratories recently announced receipt of an AB therapeutic equivalent rating and final FDA approval for its abbreviated New Drug Application for a generic version of extended-release Concerta for ADHD. The approved New Drug Application (NDA) is for 18-mg, 27-mg, 36-mg and 54-mg extended-release tablets of generic Concerta (methylphenidate hydrochloride).

Excluding children from school may lead to long- term psychiatric problems and psychological distress, a study of thousands of children has shown. Research by the University of Exeter, published in the journal Psychological Medicine this month, found that a new onset mental disorder may be a consequence of exclusion from school. The study also found that – separately – poor mental health can lead to exclusion from school. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-07-exclusion-school-trigger-long-term-psychiatric.html

Students who take Adderall to improve their test scores may get a slight benefit, but it’s mainly a placebo effect...Rachel Fargason, a psychiatrist at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, says the idea of stimulants as cognitive enhancers didn’t tally with her experience of patients who were diagnosed incorrectly...To investigate further, Fargason’s team set up a trial in 32 people between the ages of 19 and 30, none of whom had ADHD.

How should families best manage this risk? To start, they need to determine whether their child is ready to drive, spend extra time in a wide variety of setting during practice driving, and set clear rules (and monitor compliance) to keep them safe after the learner permit phase when driving without parent supervision. Unfortunately, the evidence base is limited for proven effective ways to keep them safe during the learning-to-drive period and beyond. As we learn more, I will share guidance, but for now, here are tips from CHOP experts in ADHD:

But is it generally true that pets are linked to the psychological well-being of children? Yes, according to an excellent review of 22 studies of the impact of companion animals on child development. While some of the findings are mixed, the authors concluded that growing up with pets is linked to better self-esteem, cognitive development, and social skills...But a new study suggests a different answer, and I expect the results will be controversial.

Parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder undoubtedly come across a variety of phrases pertaining to the disorder – “executive functioning” among them. However, sifting through the deluge of information can be overwhelming. What exactly does executive functioning mean, and what are some ways parents can help children cope with related challenges?

Keith Conners...established the first standards for diagnosing and treating what is now known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder...The 39-item questionnaire he devised, called the Conners Rating Scale, quickly became the worldwide standard for assessing the severity of such problems and measuring improvement.