Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental condition in U.S. children, affecting roughly 8-11.4% of children aged 3 to 17 (approximately 7 million total), with boys (13%) being diagnosed more frequently than girls (7%) (Wolraich et al., 2019). The diagnosis is characterized by recurrent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsivity that interferes with daily functioning, learning, or social relationships (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2026). Approximately 70-77% of these children receive some form of treatment (Danielson et al., 2024), and 25-70% of families with children on ADHD pharmaceuticals utilize medication vacations (also referred to as drug holidays), with the majority occurring during summer breaks (Ibrahim & Donyai, 2015). A medication vacation is an intentional pause in stimulant medication during summer months (Posner et al., 2020). This occurs in part because stimulant ADHD medications have multiple side effects, such as poor appetite, which may influence a child’s growth and development (Posner et al.).
Recommended Citation
Shapiro, Sandra D.; Allison Cato; Tamar Sternfield; and Erica Gottlieb
(2026)
"Supporting Campers with ADHD During Medical Breaks: Practical Non-Pharmacologic Strategies for Camp Health Professionals,"
CompassPoint: Vol. 36:
No.
2, Article 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34068/CP.36.02.09
Available at:
https://open.clemson.edu/compass_point/vol36/iss2/9
