An exploratory study of substance use and misuse among college students with and without ADHD and other disabilities

Objective: The present study investigated potential differences between college students with and without disabilities (including ADHD, Asperger\u27s syndrome, executive functioning disorder, and learning, mental health, vision, hearing, and physical/chronic disabilities) regarding self-reported substance use and misuse, perceived stress, and sensation seeking. Method: Students responded to a Stimulant Survey Questionnaire (SSQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Sensation-Seeking Scale (SSS), and items from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA). Results: The hypotheses were part supported as MANOVA results revealed that students with disabilities provided significantly lower ratings on the SSS and also reported lower alcohol and marijuana use. Students with ADHD were more likely to use or misuse prescription stimulant medication but were less likely to use alcohol than did students without ADHD. Conclusion: Students with disabilities compared to those without disabilities differed on levels of sensation seeking and alcohol and marijuana use. © 2010 SAGE Publications

Adhd in the classroom: Effective intervention strategies

School-related difficulties are commonly associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This article describes effective school-based intervention strategies including behavioral interventions, modifications to academic instruction, and home-school communication programs. One overlooked aspect of treatment of children with ADHD is the need to form partnerships among school professionals who can work collaboratively on interventions for children with ADHD. Approaches to developing effective collaboration between teachers and school psychologists are presented. Multiple treatment strategies implemented in a consistent fashion across school years can optimize the school success of students with ADHD. © The College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University

Potential Impact of ADHD With Stimulant Medication Label on Teacher Expectations

Objective: The present study investigated how teachers rated children’s Behavior, IQ, and Personality contingent on the presence or absence of an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) label. Method: Teachers from K-12 read a hypothetical description of either a male or female child with no label, an ADHD label, or an ADHD with stimulant treatment label. Teachers responded to 30, 7-point Likert rating scales anchored with descriptors related to Behavior, IQ, and Personality. Results: Teachers rated the child with an ADHD label and ADHD with stimulant treatment label significantly less favorably than the child with no label. Results partially supported that teachers rated the child with an ADHD label significantly less favorably than the child with an ADHD with stimulant treatment label. Conclusion: Teachers rated the children with ADHD and ADHD with stimulant treatment label less favorably than the child with no label. Implications for educators and future research are discussed