Hi Cali
Adderall is a completely different class of meds. It is "psychostimulant comprising mixed amphetamine salts" (from Wikpedia) where Ritalin and focalin are methylphedinate. It is still a stimulant and yes you will see immediate results and it is in and out of your system depending on the release you use in hours. Adderall or Adderall XR. Generally speaking the side effects are similar to the methylphedinate meds, but as you know by now each med is different for each child.
My son will soon begin Adderall. Ritalin has worked well, but he gets very hostile and angry with the rebound. It seems to be getting worse( although doc says it can't), so we have decided to try Adderall. He is 5, and has trouble taking swallowing pills, so we dont' have a lot of options. I know Ritalin and Focalin etc... are in the same family of meds, but what is Adderall in? Also, should we notice change right away, like with Ritalin, or does it take time?
We will meet with his doc in a few weeks, but in the meantime, I was hoping for some answers, thanks.