Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a behavioral disorder originating in early childhood, with a high risk for continued symptoms into adolescences and adulthood. Although stimulant medications are often recommended to treat ADHD, parents' views of these medications have not been reported in the literature. OBJECTIVES: To report pilot study results of a questionnaire developed to evaluate parent perceptions of medications to treat ADHD symptoms in children. METHODS: A parent questionnaire (Parent Perceptions of Medication for ADHD Questionnaire) was adapted from previously developed physician perception survey. Prior to administration, two physicians experienced in treating ADHD children reviewed the parent questionnaire for face validity. Item responses were either yes/no questions or rated on a 6-point scale. Face-to-face interviewer administered follow-up questions were performed to assess questionnaire clarity and relevance. The study subjects were recruited from a sample of parents who had an ADHD child enrolled in a Midwestern ADHD clinic. RESULTS: Forty-three parents of children with ADHD participated in the study. The Flesch-Kincaid grade level readability of the questionnaire was 3.7. A majority (95%) of parents indicated they understood the classification of medications as a stimulant or a controlled substance however, many of the parents were not able to correctly define these terms. When deciding whether or not to have their child take medication for ADHD, 54% and 61% stated that their decision was not influenced by whether the medication was a stimulant or controlled substance, respectively. A majority of the parents surveyed indicated that they were concerned about their child taking a stimulant (58%) and would prefer a non-stimulant option if approved by the FDA (79%). CONCLUSIONS: Although parents reported the questionnaire was clear and understandable, many were not able to define key terms. With this questionnaire it was possible to quantify parent's perceptions towards ADHD drug treatment.