Theresa Cerulli, MD: ADHD Students Struggling During COVID-19

The transition to the school year during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was going to be difficult for mostly every student.

There will be enhanced safety measures to promote social distancing and mask wearing. There will also be a virtual learning component for many.

This upheaval of a traditional school routine can be especially daunting for students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For these students, any deviation from the regular set routine can be difficult.

In the latest episode of DocTalk, Theresa Cerulli, MD, a psychiatrist in North Andover, Massachusetts and a lecturer at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, discusses just how difficult this school year might be for students suffering from ADHD.

Cerulli explained there are a number of challenges for these students, including the likely cancellation of extracurricular activates such as sports, clubs, and recess. These activities can often help an ADHD stay focused and exert some excess energy.

There are also things teachers and parents should watch for and help with in order to reduce some of the ADHD symptoms should the child become frustrated.

Cerulli also said there is hope on the way as there are new drugs in development she believes will really have an impact treating pediatric and adult ADHD patients.