Anne Fleur Kortekaas-Rijlaarsdam

75 MPH EFFECTS ON MATH PERFORMANCE: INFLUENCE OF BEHAVIOR 3 more behavioral improvements when treated with methylphenidate compared to placebo, showed more improvements in mathematical productivity. Further, in our sample, efficacy of methylphenidate was limited to children with lower-than-average mathematical abilities. Although for children with lower academic abilities these improvements are most relevant, short-term improvements on standardized task do not guarantee school grade improvements in the long run. In conclusion, results from this study suggest that high expectations of school improvements resulting from medication treatment should be tempered because at least short term effects of methylphenidate are limited to mathematical accuracy and productivity. In addition, individual differences in behavioral treatment response and learning abilities should be taken into account when prescribing stimulants to children with ADHD as children showing better behavioral treatment response and children with lower learning abilities may profit more from this type of medication.