ADHD initiatives

ADHD is a behavioural disorder which is currently under much debate among researchers. However, medical treatment and psychosocial efforts have now been used long enough to be able to assess whether the individual types of treatment have had an impact on persons diagnosed with ADHD.
The aim of this report is to create an overview of research on effective initiatives targeted at children and adults with ADHD.
One of the conclusions of the report is that medical treatment gives good results for children with ADHD but that the combination of medical treatment and psychosocial programmes has a greater effect. Research has not shown any effect of cognitive therapy in children with ADHD. In adults with ADHD, medical treatment has an effect, and in combination with medicine, cognitive therapy may have positive effect. Finally, research has not given knowledge about the long-term effects of sustained medication.
The report has been prepared in connection with the National Board of Social Services project “New and enhanced efforts for children, young people and adults with ADHD” and it has been financed by the Ministry of Social Affairs.