ADHD & Organization
Visual Abstract
Effects of MPH-OROS on the organizational, time management, and planning behaviors of children with ADHD
The Impact of Ritalin (methylphenidate) on ADHD Children's Organizational Skills
Abikoff H, Nissley-Tsiopinis J, Gallagher R, Zambenedetti M, Seyffert M, Boorady R, McCarthy J
Summarized by:
Charles Li, MD
December 21, 2023
study source
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry
2009 Feb
Medication's Impact on ADHD Children's Organizational Skills
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What they studied
They looked at how Ritalin (methylphenidate) affects organizational skills in children with ADHD.
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What they found
The medication improved these skills and reduced ADHD symptoms, but some kids still struggled.
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Why it matters
This medication helps, but some kids with ADHD might need additional treatments for better results.
Objectives
The study was about finding out if a medicine called Ritalin helps kids with ADHD get better at organizing and managing their time. Kids with ADHD often find it hard to stay organized, remember things, and finish their schoolwork. This can lead to trouble at school and with their parents and teachers.
Study Quote
To evaluate the effects of stimulant medication on organizational, time management, and planning (OTMP) in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and ascertain whether OTMP is normalized with medication.
Methods
The researchers studied 19 kids with ADHD who were between 8 and 13 years old. These kids hadn't taken any ADHD medicine before. For four weeks, the kids either took Ritalin or a fake pill (placebo), and the doctors didn't know which one they were giving. The study checked if the kids got better at organizing and doing things on time, both from what their parents and teachers said and by looking at how their ADHD symptoms changed.
Study Quote
Participants included 19 stimulant-naïve children with ADHD (aged 8-13 years) and impaired OTMP functioning, defined as greater than 1 SD below norms on the Children's Organizational Skills Scale. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, with 4 weeks of each condition, evalu...
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Results
After taking Ritalin, most kids got better at organizing and managing their time. Their ADHD symptoms also got better. But, more than half of the kids (61%) still had trouble with organizing and managing their time, even with the medicine. This means Ritalin helped, but it didn't solve all the problems for everyone.
Study Quote
MPH-OROS significantly improved children's OTMP behaviors. These improvements were correlated with significant reductions in ADHD symptoms. However, most of the children (61%) continued to show significant OTMP impairments on MPH-OROS.
Conclusions
The study shows that Ritalin can help kids with ADHD to be more organized. But, some kids still find it hard to stay organized even with the medicine. This tells us that we might need other ways to help these kids, not just giving them medicine.
Study Quote
The MPH-OROS reduced children's OTMP deficits, and these improvements were associated with improvements in ADHD symptoms. Some children remained impaired in OTMP even after effective stimulant treatment of ADHD symptoms. These youngsters may require other treatments that target OTMP defi...
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Key Takeaways
Skill Improvement
MPH-OROS medication leads to better organizational skills and fewer ADHD symptoms in children.
Continued Challenges
Even with medication, some children still face significant organizational challenges.
Need for Additional Treatments
Children with persistent organizational difficulties might benefit from treatments beyond MPH-OROS medication.
Context
This study is part of a bigger picture about ADHD. Another study (Hartung et al., 2022) found that special training helped college students with ADHD get better at organizing and studying. These studies help us understand that treating ADHD isn't just about taking medicine. It's also about learning new skills and getting help in different ways.