Should Children

With ADD/ADHD
Be Medicated

By Emily Campos
 Historical background
scientist first recognized that stimulants
can control symptoms of ADD in 1937

ADD (attention deficit disorder)

was first acknowledged by society in
1980 but doctors had seen symptoms of it
for many years just had no name to call it
in 1994 they realized that there was
three subgroups to ADHD
Inattentive Type
Hyperactive-Impulsive Type
Combined Type
in 2003 the cdc reported that about 4.4
million children of US children ages 4-17
have been diagnosed with ADHD and 2.5
million of the 4.4 million are taking
medication to lessen the symptoms of
ADHD.
 Counter argument

Doctors overmedicating children

sales quota for methylphenidate and
amphetamine have risen

In recent years, a growing number of students

have used the medications as "study drugs" to
take before tests, and in turn, more parents are
requesting ADHD drugs for kids who don't meet
the criteria for the disorder.
 Weakest point

concentration
These medicines might help you focus your
thoughts and ignore distractions. Stimulant
meds work for 70% to 80% of people.
 Strongest point

Long term benefits

Children who are diagnosed and are not treated are know to be at higher risk for risky
behaviors such as driving recklessly using drugs and risky sexual behavior.

Comparing both children medicated and unmedicated those who took medication
3.6% less likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease
7.3% less likely to abuse drugs
2.3% less likely to injure themselves.
 Work cited
"ADHD Medication: What Kinds of ADHD Meds Are Available for Me?" WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.

By Adolescence and Adulthood, the Overactivity May Appear as Restless, Fidgety Behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).*.

Hotchkiss, Michael. "ADHD Medication Reduces Risky Behavior in Children, Teens."

"KidsHealth.org Search : Kidshealth." KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2016.

Princeton University. Trustees of Princeton University, 18 July 2016. Web. 10 Dec. 2016.

"Neurologists Warn against Prescribing ADHD Drugs to Kids as "study Drugs"" CBSNews. CBS Interactive, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2016.

"Problems of Overdiagnosis and Overprescribing in ADHD." Problems of Overdiagnosis and Overprescribing in ADHD | Psychiatric Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 10

Dec. 2016.

Specialty, By. "Should Young ADHD Children Be Medicated?" Medindia. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2016.

What Is Attention-Deficit Disorder? Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder? AD/HD? ADD/ADHD? ADHD? N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2016.