ADHD 8

Question 1

Physical side effects of ADHD medication (2)

Answer 1

1) physical growth delayed while on medication (growth returns once removed); 2) state dependent learning, indicated by decline in memory - recall upon removal of medication)

Question 2

Psychological side effects of ADHD medication (2)

Answer 2

1) medical induced calmness, impression of dopiness, problem of self-fulfilling label by teachers and peers (see Rosenthal, 1966); 2) attribution error = attributions become counter-productive leading to extension of medication

Question 3

Because of these side effects, what is recommended

Answer 3

because of these side effects, the universal recommendation regarding medication e.g. 6 for Ritalin is six months medication and during that time, parents should establish positive parenting practices to help once medication is withdrawn

Question 4

What is the actual average medication time though

Answer 4

the average medication time is 18 months

Question 5

Attribution theory and ADHD diagram (8)

Answer 5

onset of ADHD medication -> defines ADHD as a medical-disease problem; the biological control is external to parents, teachers and the child; -> all of participants perceive they have no control -> everyone attributes the change to medication -> no one changes their behaviour (parents do not seek positive parenting) -> end of first medication (at six months) no environmental programming -> hence medication renewed, leading to over-medication

Question 6

Feingold (1975)

Answer 6

hypothesises that some children are allergic to artificial flavours and colouring and naturally occurring aspirins (salicylate); Feingold a GP removed foods from diets until children’s behaviour changed (only inductive reasoning)

Question 7

Examples of natural foods that Feingold (1975) thinks causes ADHD

Answer 7

apples; oranges; tomatoes; cucumbers; strawberries; apricots; almonds

Question 8

Examples of processed foods (containing artificial flavourings) that Feingold (1975) thinks causes ADHD

Answer 8

cereals; ham; salami; frozen fish; cakes; jellies; soft drinks; ice creams; sweets

Question 9

Examples of other food sources that Feingold (1975) thinks causes ADHD

Answer 9

toothpaste; mouth-washes; flavoured medication

Question 10

What did Feingold never do

Answer 10

Feingold never scientifically validated his theory

Question 11

Criticism of Feingold (4)

Answer 11

lack of experimental controls; controls for placebo effects; lack of objective data (measures of behaviour and its change); lack of follow-up (if child did not return to his practice, success assumed)

Question 12

Hayley et al (1978) and Rose (1978)

Answer 12

used a placebo challenge (added an addictive to K-P diet) and found little support for the diet on a population wide scale (with less than 2% of children responding to the placebo challenge)

Question 13

However, what is a very wide spread belief

Answer 13

a very wide spread belief that diet impacts on child behaviour e.g. red cordial (Type 1 error)

Question 14

Environmental intervention positive parenting

Answer 14

assumes ADHD (and other developmental psychopathologies) are caused either by direct environmental impact of parents or indirect effects of parental behaviours

Question 15

Examples of parenting programs (3)

Answer 15

systematic training for effective parenting; parent effective training; positive parenting programme