Teachers' Reports of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medication Changes During Stimulant Shortages

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a common childhood onset disorder, is associated with impulsivity, impaired attention and executive function, and poor academic performance. Stimulants, the first-line medication treatment for ADHD, are associated with better academic functioning and decreased injury risk.

In October 2022, a nationwide shortage of dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall®) was announced. Subsequent media coverage reported on families and clinicians struggling to navigate the shortage, raising concerns about the well-being of affected children. One recent study of children aged 5 to 17 years found that, following the shortage announcement, there was a decline in immediate-release mixed amphetamine salts, offset partially by an increase in methylphenidate dispensing. We are unaware of other studies that have examined the shortage's magnitude and impact among youth.

This study reports results from a nationally representative survey to understand teachers' perceptions of how the stimulant shortage affected medication use by students with ADHD, which could affect their academic performance. Assessing teachers' perspectives helps clarify the scope of the shortage and understand whether there were differential impacts across students with different characteristics.