Scott: an 11-year-old boy with repetitive lying.

CASE: Scott, an 11-year-old boy in the fifth grade, is brought to his pediatrician, Dr. Lewis, by his maternal grandparents with the principle concern that "he lies constantly." Scott lived with his maternal grandparents since he was 2 years old, and they have full custody. His mother and father had serious substance abuse problems. The grandparents provide a stable home for Scott and his 15-year-old sister. Scott has had no contact with his mother in more than 6 years and sees his father infrequently. During the last visit with his father, he was so inebriated that he was thrown out of the movie theatre and barely avoided several car accidents on the way home. He left the children at the curb of their home and made them promise that they would lie to their grandparents about the reasons for the early return. Scott was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in second grade. Methylphenidate (36 mg) provides improvement in attention and concentration. His grandfather describes Scott as highly unpredictable. When he is the "good Jake," he is eager to help, polite, and caring. When Scott gets behind in school or is avoiding his chores and assignments, he lies by saying that he got it all done, even though he knows his grandfather will discover the lie and punish him. When confronted with reports from school, Scott often lies and may develop more elaborate confabulatory stories. His grandfather admits that he becomes irate at these moments. He responds by removing Scott's privileges. When he planned to take Scott to see his favorite sport team in the playoffs, Scott was caught in a lie the day of his departure. His grandfather offered him a chance to fess up, pay a small price in extra chores, and save the trip. Scott stubbornly refused to admit that he lied and lost the trip. His grandfather worries that Scott has no "moral compass." He takes things that do not belong to him and violates household curfew rules. He has never been physically aggressive or has never stole items from a store. He takes his sister's CD player or his grandfather's cell phone even when he has been told not to. He will then lie that he did not take it. Even when it is pulled out of his backpack, he will say he did not put it in there. His grandfather is a businessman with high moral integrity. He loves his grandson and is eager to help him. He asks Dr. Lewis what they should do about Scott's persistent lying.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among adolescents: a review of the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical implications.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental disorder in childhood, and primary care clinicians provide a major component of the care for children with ADHD. However, because of limited available evidence, the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines did not include adolescents and young adults. Contrary to previous beliefs, it has become clear that, in most cases, ADHD does not resolve once children enter puberty. This article reviews the current evidence about the diagnosis and treatment of adolescents and young adults with ADHD and describes how the information informs practice. It describes some of the unique characteristics observed among adolescents, as well as how the core symptoms change with maturity. The diagnostic process is discussed, as well as approaches to the care of adolescents to improve adherences. Both psychosocial and pharmacologic interventions are reviewed, and there is a discussion of these patients' transition into young adulthood. The article also indicates that research is needed to identify the unique adolescent characteristics of ADHD and effective psychosocial and pharmacologic treatments.