Date of Award/Publication

4-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MS in Special Education

Department

Education

First Supervisor

Susan Schultz

Abstract

ADHD is one of the fastest growing diagnoses in America. With a growing diagnosis comes a growing rate of prescriptions to alleviate the symptoms associated with ADHD. This prescription medication can be seen as a quick fix in order to create proper student behaviors within the classroom. This observational case study was completed to see whether or not students who are on prescription medication for ADHD behaviorally outperformed those students who are not on prescription medication for ADHD. Unaware that they were being observed, students were monitored over eight categories throughout two class periods during the day. Research shows that the student who was on prescription medication behaviorally outperformed those students who were not on prescription medication. However, the students not on prescription medication did not fall too far behind. These results show that medication may not be necessary for all students to function well within the classroom. This is important research to share with families and teachers in order to best find the ways to suit the students’ needs aside from medication.

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Education Commons

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