A new study found that only 1 out of 4 children taking medication for ADHD also receives talk therapy. The study’s findings highlight concerns that doctors may be simply prescribing medications for behavior problems instead of targeting each child’s specific problems.
“Drug therapy targets the core symptoms of ADHD, but when you talk about other aspects of functioning like educational performance and conduct problems, it appears that talk therapy may improve outcomes for many children,” says lead author Dr. Walid Gellad who is adjunct scientist at the nonprofit research organization RAND Corporation. “In some kids, it is better than drug therapy alone.”