Encouraging New Results from the Largest ADHD Treatment Study Ever Conducted

579 children ages 7-10 diagnosed with ADHD were studied over a 3 year time period.  The children were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment conditions.  The results of this complex study suggest that children who received intense medication management either alone or combined with behavioral counseling had more positive outcomes than those who received behavioral treatment or community care alone.  Furthermore,  there was also evidence that those children who received medication and behavioral counseling together did better than those who received medication alone.  The most important results from the study is the improvement in all 4 treatment groups between baseline and the 36-month follow-up.  Significant reductions were found in ADHD symptoms, oppositional defiance, and general impairment, while ratings of social skills increased. Rates of other mental health problems associated with ADHD also declined.  This was the case regardless of which treatment group the ADHD children were assigned to.  These results provide an important source of hope and encouragement for children and families dealing with ADHD!  Long term treatment for ADHD works as these children had fewer symptoms, coped significantly better, had fewer behavioral issues, better social skills and continued to make strides!