TURNABOUT STILLWATER ACADEMY

Definition of ADD or Attention Deficit Disorder, & ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: ADHD is generally considered to be a developmental disorder, largely neurological in nature, affecting about 5% of the world's population. The disorder typically presents itself during childhood, and is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity, as well as forgetfulness, poor impulse control or impulsivity, and distractibility.

Noteable facts and statistics about ADD / ADHD:

About 60% of children diagnosed with ADHD retain the disorder as adults. ADHD is a developmental neurological disorder. The term "developmental" means that certain traits such as impulse control significantly lag in development when compared to the general population. This developmental lag has been estimated to range between 30-40 percent in ADHD sufferers in comparison to their peers; consequently these delayed attributes are considered an impairment. Statistics show that on average 46% of those with ADHD have been suspended and 11% expelled from school. Thirty seven percent of those with ADHD do not get a high school diploma even though many of them will receive special education services. The combined outcomes of the expulsion and dropout rates indicate that almost half of all ADHD students never finish highschool. Only five percent of those with ADHD will get a college degree compared to twenty seven percent of the general population.

Treatment of ADD / ADHD Then and Now:

In 1957 the stimulant methylphenidate (Ritalin) became available. In its various forms (Ritalin, Focalin, Concerta, Metadate, and Methylin), it remains one of the most widely prescribed medications for ADHD. Ritalin was first produced in 1950. Initially the drug was used to treat narcolepsy, chronic fatigue, depression, and to counter the sedating effects of other medications. The drug began to be used for ADHD in the 1960s and steadily rose in use. In 1975 Pemoline (Cylert) was approved by the FDA for use in the treatment of ADHD. While an effective agent for managing the symptoms, the development of liver failure in 14 cases over the next 27 years would result in the manufacturer withdrawing this medication from the market. New delivery systems for medications were invented in 1999 that eliminated the need for multiple doses across the day or taking medication at school. These new systems include pellets of medication coated with various time-release substances to permit medications to dissolve hourly across an 8–12 hour period (Medadate CD, Adderall XR, Focalin XR) and an osmotic pump that extrudes a liquid methylphenidate sludge across an 8–12 hour period after ingestion (Concerta). In 2003 – Atomoxetine (Strattera) received the first FDA approval for a nonstimulant drug to be used specifically for ADHD. In 2007 Lisdexamfetamine becomes the first prodrug to receive FDA approval for ADHD. The landmark study of 1999 – The largest study of treatment for ADHD in history – is published in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Known as the Multimodal Treatment Study of ADHD (MTA Study), it involved more than 570 children with ADHD at 6 sites in the United States and Canada randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups. Results generally showed that medication alone was more effective than psychosocial treatments alone, but that their combination was beneficial for some subsets of ADHD children beyond the improvement achieved only by medication. More than 40 studies have subsequently been published from this massive dataset.

Turnabout Stillwater Academy has successfully aided many teenagers diagnosed with ADD / ADHD to improve study habits, communication skills, and interpersonal skills. Providing teens the skills to work with their ADD / ADHD helps to insure success for teens past graduation through all aspects of their life.

Other ADD / ADHD Resources to Help Your Teenager

add.org/: Complete information about diagnosis and treatment of ADD / ADHD
additudemag.com: Online guide parents who have children or teenagers with ADD / ADHD
add.about.com: Current Articles and information about ADD / ADHD