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Children Treated for ADHD Still Underperform in School

JAMA Pediatr; ePub 2017 May 1; Fleming, et al

Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have trouble in school, even when they are on medication, according to a population-based study that included over 766,000 children. Among the findings:

  • 1% of the study population was treated for ADHD.
  • Compared to children with the disorder, those with ADHD had a higher rate of unauthorized absence from school.
  • ADHD children were more likely to need special education and to achieve less academically.
  • ADHD children also were more inclined to leave school before the age of 16 and to require hospitalization.

Citation:

Fleming M, Fitton CA, Steiner MF, et al. Educational and health outcomes of children treated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. [Published online before print May 1, 2017]. JAMA Pediatr. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.0691.