Ritalin prescriptions for ADHD in children surged in the early 1990s, doubling from under a million to over two million by 1993. While this increase initially aligned with scientific estimates of ADHD prevalence (around 3% of children), concerns remained about Ritalin's effectiveness and long-term effects. A large-scale study, funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, was launched to compare Ritalin's efficacy against non-pharmaceutical treatments like behavioral coaching.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.