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The Child's Perspective

Jennifer Bowen, MBBS; Terence Fenton, PhD; Leonard Rappaport, MD

Am J Dis Child. 1991;145(3):291-295.

Abstract
• Fifty-eight children receiving stimulant medication for attention deficit—hyperactivity disorder at referral clinics for learning disabilities at two teaching hospitals in Massachusetts were invited to participate in a study of their knowledge and attitudes. The 45 respondents and parents completed separate questionnaires concerning how they felt about receiving stimulant medication. Eighty-nine percent of the children felt that the medication was helpful and 78% liked or were indifferent to it despite a high rate (85%) of reported side effects. The five children (11%) who responded that they would stop taking stimulant medication if they could were more likely to perceive the medication as unhelpful and were receiving standard methylphenidate hydrochloride rather than a long-acting preparation. We conclude that children's perspectives on medication should be elicited directly and sustained-release medication may be more acceptable to children with attention deficit—hyperactivity disorder.

(AJDC. 1991;145:291-295)

Author Affiliations
From the Division of Ambulatory Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Boston, Mass.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication August 28, 1990.

Reprint requests to Children's Hospital, Fegan 6, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115 (Dr Rappaport).

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