Up to 30% of Children on ADHD Medication See No Improvement
News related to:Mountain Vista Psychology · 2 min read
ENGLEWOOD, CO, UNITED STATES, October 5, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Mountain Vista Psychology, a Denver-area practice, is shedding light on the challenges faced by families dealing with children who do not respond to ADHD medication. According to the practice, up to 30% of children on ADHD medication do not see improvements, a statistic that highlights the need for alternative approaches.
Dr. Steffanie Stecker, a licensed psychologist and founder of Mountain Vista Psychology, emphasizes the importance of a thorough evaluation before considering neurofeedback as a treatment option.
Neurofeedback, a technique that uses real-time measurement of brain activity to help a person learn to regulate their own patterns, is often considered when medication fails. However, the research picture is more nuanced. A 2024 network meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 1,370 children found that most neurofeedback approaches outperformed placebo on ADHD symptoms. Other reviews, particularly those relying on blinded raters, have found smaller effects that did not reach statistical significance.
Dr. Stecker advises parents to approach neurofeedback with caution.
The practice recommends that parents evaluating any neurofeedback provider should ask three key questions: 1. What is the training and experience of the provider? 2. What is the training and experience of the person choosing the individualized protocol? 3. And what is the provider’s experience, not just with neurofeedback, but also with what I am struggling with (i.e., ADHD, anxiety, trauma).
Mountain Vista Psychology provides psychological testing, counseling, and neurofeedback for children, teens, and adults across the south Denver metro area, with offices in Englewood, Greenwood Village, Littleton, and south Denver.
The practice notes that one randomized trial comparing neurofeedback with methylphenidate in children aged seven to 14 found comparable reductions in ADHD symptoms reported by parents and teachers across both groups. However, improvements in academic performance were found only in the neurofeedback group.
Dr. Stecker's approach underscores the importance of a personalized and thorough evaluation before embarking on any treatment.
In conclusion, while neurofeedback shows promise, it is crucial to approach it with a well-rounded evaluation and understanding of the individual child's needs.