New ADHD Recommendations

When it comes to ADHD, new recommendations are out and researchers want it looked for earlier and longer.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has put out new recommendations for diagnosing and treating ADHD. They want it looked into earlier and for treatment to include non-medicine approaches as the first step.

Up until now, experts have concentrated on evaluating kids from 6-12 for Attention Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD. But since ADHD problems, including behavioral issues and lack of an attention span, can show up earlier, they want evaluations to start at age 4 and for those evaluations to continue until age 18.

Once diagnosed with ADHD, these guidelines also call for behavioral interventions as the first step in treatment for preschool children. This includes getting family members involved in the overall treatment. For older children, elementary school age and adolescents, they still recommend medication, but alongside behavioral treatments.

The important step is that ADHD is treated with a team approach this means involving the child, their parents, doctor, therapist and even teachers. This more robust approach should help them better control their symptoms and when needed medication can add to this treatment plan.

The main change with these guidelines is the earlier and later age of diagnosis and the concentrating on behavioral treatment instead of just medication.