

Is It Time to Rethink Pediatric ADHD?
Jun 27, 2025
Paul Tough, a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine and author focused on education and child development, challenges the conventional understanding of pediatric ADHD. He emphasizes that standard treatments like Ritalin may only improve behavior without enhancing actual learning. Tough advocates for a reevaluation of ADHD diagnoses and treatments, urging personalized approaches that recognize the complexities of the disorder. Through insights from his extensive research and personal stories, he highlights the need for better support tailored to individual needs.
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Medication Effects Fade Over Time
- ADHD medications improve behavior quickly but benefits fade by three years.
- This challenges the belief that medication provides a lasting cognitive advantage.
ADHD as a Spectrum Disorder
- ADHD symptoms exist on a continuum rather than a binary disorder.
- Diagnosis involves much subjectivity, complicating understanding and treatment.
Adult ADHD Diagnosis During COVID
- Janice wasn't diagnosed with ADHD until age 43 during COVID while in school.
- She realized she had masked her condition well and had to rethink her environment and perfectionism.