ADHD medication shock: Children taking pills such as Ritalin have a lower quality of life than their peers, major study finds
A comprehensive 13-year study of 4000 Australian children taking ADHD medication has reached a conclusion that stunned the researchers. Find out why.
Children medicated for ADHD have a lower quality of life than those with the condition who are unmedicated, one of the world’s most comprehensive studies has found.
Deakin University researchers studied more than 4000 children from age four to 17 and were surprised to find those with ADHD taking common medication such as Ritalin are struggling compared to other children.
Lead author Ha Nguyet Dao Le, a Deakin University senior research fellow, said “those taking ADHD medication in our sample experienced more severe ADHD symptoms, which may have significantly impacted children’s functioning”.
It’s the only study of its kind in the world to trace the same cohort over 13 years.
The finding is at odds with other studies that have discovered that taking ADHD medication is linked to better outcomes for children.
Around one in 20 children has ADHD, which is marked by hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity, with most being diagnosed around the age of seven, or in early primary school.
Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show the portion of children aged 12-17 prescribed ADHD-related medications tripled over the past decade, from 2 per cent of the age group to 6.6 per cent.
For children aged 5-11, it increased from 2.1 per cent to 6.5 per cent.
Even under-5s experienced an uptick since 2014, now recording a patient rate of one child in every 1000.
Dr Le said the findings underscored the need for ADHD intervention and treatment to “comprehensively address the behavioural, psychological, and educational needs of the child to improve overall health and wellbeing, not just manage the underlying symptom”.
This includes family therapy or support to bolster the child’s home environment and also increase their physical activity, which has been shown to decrease symptoms. More neuro-affirming school environments are also critical to children’s progress and happiness.
She warned the small sample size, especially in the early years, could affect the study’s finding.
It comes as researchers here and in the US continue to call for non-medical pharmaceutical and psychosocial approaches to treating ADHD that take a more holistic view of wellbeing, and not just concentrate on reducing hyperactivity.
Annabel Tannenbaum, a former teacher and neurodiversity consultant from Thriving Minds Education said the research “raised an important point”.
“Medication can be incredibly helpful at controlling adhd traits such as lack of attention, impulsivity and emotional regulation,” she said.
“People on medication often feel more focused, but it’s only one tool and it shouldn’t be the only tool.”
She advocates a more holistic approach which “includes school accommodation, and a strength-based approach which is student-centred.”
“We need to understand these diverse brains as different, not broken,” Ms Tannenbaum said.
The Deakin study also found children with ADHD clinical symptoms have a lower quality of life throughout their childhood, with the impact not lessening over time, compared to their peers without ADHD symptoms.
However, the impact was not uniform among the cohort.
Girls with ADHD, children with autism, depression or anxiety or other mental health conditions as well as ADHD, and those with parents who have mental health issues, were all found to have a lower quality of life than others.
The only thing in the study found to have a direct impact on raising the quality of life of kids with ADHD was having two or more siblings.
A new education model
Scout McDowall, 15, went to many different schools before she finally found one she liked.
It’s Fitzroy North College, a specialist neuro-affirming school in Melbourne. One of the Saints College campuses, it opened earlier this year and now has 106 students and is growing rapidly.
It’s a model of holistic education that’s enabling children with ADHD to not just survive, but thrive.
“This school is way more relaxed and it makes it easier to come. There’s free dress which is much more comfortable. If you’re not having a great day and you need a break you can take one; they always value you and say yes,” Scout said.
Another difference is that Scout and her classmates don’t have to move from class to class, the teachers come to them.
“There’s one-on-one support which is great. Most students don’t come every day or for full days so there’s only around 10 kids in the class which means we have a great relationship with the teacher,” Scout said.
“The teachers are all very sweet and I’ve made lots of friends.”
A range of students who have struggled in mainstream schools have found their home there, including students in out-of-home care, along with those with autism and ADHD, learning difficulties and Tourettes.
Deputy principal Susan Colacino said there was a “real focus on best-practice teaching with up-to-date programs and the student voice at the centre of everything”.
“It’s one of the best models I have seen. It’s all about unconditional positive regard and we’re not rule-driven.
“Some students had not been back to school since Covid and had been studying at home for four years, and to see them rebuilding the trust is awesome,” Ms Colacino said.
Chloe Hand, deputy CEO of Edmund Rice Education Australia, which runs the school, said there was a “critical need in the community for a school where neurodivergent young people can feel safe, understood and able to learn in a way that works for them.”
“We’re proud that Fitzroy North College is successfully meeting the needs of these young people in a holistic way.’’
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Originally published as ADHD medication shock: Children taking pills such as Ritalin have a lower quality of life than their peers, major study finds
