Impact

Children with ADHD experience an inability to sit still and pay attention in class and the negative consequences of such behavior. They experience peer rejection and engage in a broad array of disruptive behaviors. If the disorder goes untreated, their academic and social difficulties have far- reaching and long-term consequences. Untreated children have higher accident rates, and later in life, children with ADHD in combination with conduct disorders experience drug abuse, antisocial behavior, and accidents of all sorts. For many individuals, the impact of untreated ADHD continues into adulthood with problems in the workplace and in building and maintaining relationship.

Just as families who deal with chronic illness or various disorders, families who have children with ADHD experience increased levels of parental frustration, marital discord, and divorce. In addition, the direct medical care costs for children and youth with ADHD are substantial. These costs represent a serious burden since they frequently are not covered by health insurance.

Families already struggling are caught in a media war between those who overstate the benefits of ADHD treatment and those who overstate the dangers of such treatment.