Does a child taking the different forms of ritalin (methylphenidate) get different effects with each type or brand?

Maybe: Bioavailability of generic drug formulations affect the rate and completeness of drug absorbtion into blood stream. So-called "inert" ingredients may also provoke side-effects. Two identical (not merely "equivalent") drugs should have same bioavailability. Note that time of day, fasting, and co-administered drugs as well as emotional state affect drug responses.

Quite possibly: Aside from the issue of brand vs. Generic medications, formulations of methylphenidate (the genereic medication) are deliberately designed to have different duration of action raning from 2-21/2 hours to 10-12 hours. The basic benefits should be the same, but both side efects and overall effectiveness can be tailored to the child.

No: All mrthyphenidate medications are the same and only differ by thy delivery system and the duration of action