One in Four Children in South Korean Care Facilities Treated for ADHD with Medication

Medication is now the primary treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among children in South Korean care facilities, with one in four receiving drug therapy. This rate has doubled in just five years, raising concerns about an over-reliance on medication.

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The treatment for ADHD requires a more complex approach for children who have experienced abuse or family breakdown.

Experts suggest that the difficulty in implementing non-drug therapies, such as social skills training and parenting education, contributes to the increased dependence on medication. Facilities often struggle with staff shortages, with one caregiver sometimes responsible for six to eight children across multiple age groups. This makes individualized care and non-drug interventions challenging.

While some facilities have attempted smaller-scale, more home-like care models, these initiatives have faced hurdles. A pilot program in Seoul, which showed high child satisfaction, ended after a year due to difficulties in securing funding and the demanding workload for caregivers. Discussions about downsizing facilities to improve care have been ongoing for years without significant progress.

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Facilities are understaffed, making it difficult to provide adequate non-drug treatment.

The situation highlights a gap between the complex needs of children, many of whom have experienced trauma, and the capacity of the current care system. While specialized treatment facilities exist, they are often criticized for focusing more on isolation than on therapeutic approaches. The lack of adequate resources and specialized personnel hinders effective treatment for children with emotional and behavioral disorders.

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Recent years require meeting the individual needs of children who have experienced child abuse and domestic violence, unlike the past when basic needs and care were sufficient.