ADHD in childhood and adolescence – treatment methods and implications for school teaching

Abstract

Hyperactive, inattentive and restless children and adolescents seem to be found in almost every family and every classroom. The “phenomenon of the restless child”, often referred to as “Fidgety Philip”, is commonplace and represented in many media. The disorder and the medication Ritalin® are frequently the subject of many television programs, films and series, including “The Simpsons”, “Desperate Housewives”, “Galileo”, “Quarks und Co” and similar programs. A vast amount of literature is also available, ranging from “Ratgeber ADHS. Informationen für Betroffene, Lehrer und Erzieher zu Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/ Hyperaktivitätsstörungen” (DÖPFNER, M. ET AL. 2007b) to “Albtraum ADS. Wie Eltern sich helfen können” (MÄHLER, B ET AL. 2007). Both children and parents are confronted with this. Many therefore believe that they have hyperactive and inattentive children or that they themselves are hyperactive and inattentive. One question that arises when researching the topic of hyperactivity and lack of attention is: “Is ADHD a modern disease?”. The second question, which quickly follows the first, is: “Is ADHD a disease?”. The focus of this academic paper is on methods of treating ADHD and their implications for school teaching. It mainly refers to children and adolescents, although adults also suffer from this disorder. With regard to treatment methods, the main focus will be on medications containing methylphenidate.