Issues in Medication Compliance among Children and Families Affected by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

John J. Wheeler, Sandra K. Terneus

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The use of medication therapy for the treatment of ADHD in children has been cited as the most frequent course of treatment for children diagnosed with this condition with an estimated 3% of school-aged children being prescribed stimulant medication (Kirk, 1999). One issue that is frequently cited when using medication to treat this condition is that of medication compliance. Medication compliance is defined as the actual dosing history with the prescribed drug regimen (Urquhardt, 1994). This paper examines factors that affect the challenges associated with medication compliance among children and families affected by ADHD and the implications that medication compliance has on the educational outcomes experienced by children diagnosed with this condition.
Original languageAmerican English
JournalInternational Journal of Special Education
Volume20
StatePublished - 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • academic achievement
  • attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • children
  • compliance (psychology)
  • drug therapy
  • mental disorders
  • parent attitudes
  • parent responsibility
  • social bias
  • stimulants

Disciplines

  • Disability and Equity in Education
  • Special Education and Teaching

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