Ritalin starts working right off the bat. Basically it doesn't change brain functions like anti-depressents. It is a stimulant, but it usually has a calming affect on hyperactive people. Adderall is composed of I believe 3 amphetamines, but either way they basically kick in at different times which helps a lot in avoiding the roller coaster up and down when the drug wears off like with ritalin. They have long acting ritalin which someone mentioned above, but I only have experience with these two. How much does you child weight, because ritalin is usually prescribed at a weight/mg ratio, but a lot Dr.'s will still start the dose low seeing that they are working with stimulant.