Treatment with Medication
Ritalin (methylphenidate)
Concerta (a long lasting capsule form of methyphenidate)
Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine)
Adderall (a mixture of amphetamines)
Cylert (pemoline)
Ritalin (methylphenidate), Concerta (a long lasting capsule form of
methylphenidate), Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine), Adderall (a mixture of
amphetamines) and Cylert (pemoline) are sometimes
called "stimulants". When prescribed for people who have ADHD, they stimulate
the frontal
parts of the brain which are not inhibiting
("filtering out") distractions as well as they should. The medications
work similarly to caffeine. They are
not tranquilizers or sedatives. The children
appear "calmer" because they are more focused, not because they are sedated.
Many children require
medication in order to give them the basic
tools needed to work on behavioral modifications.