The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) created some controversy with their recently released updated guidelines for diagnosing and treating ADHD. The guidelines recommend medication treatment for children as young as four years who have academic or behavioral problems and difficulties with attention, hyperactivity or impulsivity. Previous ADHD guidelines applied only to children ages 6 through 12 years. Dr. Allen Frances argues in an article for Psychiatric Times that encouraging such early use of medication "will further the already problematic overdiagnosis of ADD/ADHD and expand the inappropriate prescription of medication to young children." Preschool-age children are more difficult to diagnose accurately, and they may be more susceptible to side effects of the medications, such as loss of appetite, headaches, and disturbed sleep. The lead author of the guidelines, Dr. Mark Wolralch, stated that the intent behind them was to give doctors improved diagnostic criteria while identifying children with ADHD who have gone undiagnosed or untreated. He defends the AAP's decision by saying, "Treating children at a young age is important, because when we can identify them earlier and provide appropriate treatment, we can increase their chances of succeeding in school." In addition, the guidelines also recommend a trial of behavioral interventions first, followed by treatment with medication if the behavioral therapy is ineffective. Dr. Frances cautions that if past experience is any indication, these recommendations will be widely ignored because behavioral therapies are not easily available and medication is. Read more here.

AAP releases new ADHD guidelines advocating medication for children as young as four, sparking debate over overdiagnosis and side effects.

New Treatment Guidelines for ADHD

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) created some controversy with their recently released updated guidelines for diagnosing and treating ADHD. The guidelines recommend medication treatment for children as young as four years who have academic or behavioral problems and difficulties with attention, hyperactivity or impulsivity. Previous ADHD guidelines applied only to children ages 6 through 12 years.  Dr. Allen Frances argues in an article for Psychiatric Times that encouraging such early use of medication "will further the already problematic overdiagnosis of ADD/ADHD and expand the inappropriate prescription of medication to young children." Preschool-age children are more difficult to diagnose accurately, and they may be more susceptible to side effects of the medications, such as loss of appetite, headaches, and disturbed sleep. The lead author of the guidelines, Dr. Mark Wolralch, stated that the intent behind them was to give doctors improved diagnostic criteria while identifying children with ADHD who have gone undiagnosed or untreated. He defends the AAP's decision by saying, "Treating children at a young age is important, because when we can identify them earlier and provide appropriate treatment, we can increase their chances of succeeding in school." In addition, the guidelines also recommend a trial of behavioral interventions first, followed by treatment with medication if the behavioral therapy is ineffective. Dr. Frances cautions that if past experience is any indication, these recommendations will be widely ignored because behavioral therapies are not easily available and medication is. Read more here.


AAP releases new ADHD guidelines advocating medication for children as young as four, sparking debate over overdiagnosis and side effects.

New Treatment Guidelines for ADHD

Attention deficit disorder, commonly called ADD amongst the general public, is a disorder characterized by distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Attention deficit disorder is the same as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, which is the official clinical term for the disorder. Attention deficit is not limited to childhood, and as many as 8 to 9 million adults in the United States have attention deficit disorder. Children who have attention deficit disorder will likely have some troubles with the symptoms as an adult. Many people believe that attention deficit disorder is misdiagnosed or often overdiagnosed. What some people might call attention deficit is actually normal child behaviors or signs of other problems, such as a response to dramatic family changes, including a divorce or death in the family. In order to receive a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder, the symptoms must be present for an extended period of time (over six months, according to the DSM) and be present across many settings, including school, home, and within the community. Additionally, the symptoms of attention deficit must severely hinder a child or adult within these settings. It is this criterion that sets attention deficit disorder from otherwise "normal" impulsivity or distractibility. Common symptoms of attention deficit disorder include: poor attention to detail or making careless mistakes, difficulty sustaining attention to tasks, difficulty following directions, losing or forgetting things, feeling restless and fidgeting often, difficulty taking turns, or answering before a question is...

ADD, also known as ADHD, is marked by distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, affecting children and adults and often misdiagnosed.

When is it Attention Deficit Disorder?

 Attention deficit disorder, commonly called ADD amongst the general public, is a disorder characterized by distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Attention deficit disorder is the same as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, which is the official clinical term for the disorder.   Attention deficit is not limited to childhood, and as many as 8 to 9 million adults in the United States have attention deficit disorder. Children who have attention deficit disorder will likely have some troubles with the symptoms as an adult.    Many people believe that attention deficit disorder is misdiagnosed or often overdiagnosed. What some people might call attention deficit is actually normal child behaviors or signs of other problems, such as a response to dramatic family changes, including a divorce or death in the family.   In order to receive a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder, the symptoms must be present for an extended period of time (over six months, according to the DSM) and be present across many settings, including school, home, and within the community. Additionally, the symptoms of attention deficit must severely hinder a child or adult within these settings. It is this criterion that sets attention deficit disorder from otherwise "normal" impulsivity or distractibility.   Common symptoms of attention deficit disorder include: poor attention to detail or making careless mistakes, difficulty sustaining attention to tasks, difficulty following directions, losing or forgetting things, feeling restless and fidgeting often, difficulty taking turns, or answering before a question is...

ADD, also known as ADHD, is marked by distractibility, impulsivity, and hyperactivity, affecting children and adults and often misdiagnosed.

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Special Needs
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New Treatment Guidelines for ADHD

When is it Attention Deficit Disorder?

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Special Needs Articles

New Treatment Guidelines for ADHD

When is it Attention Deficit Disorder?

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
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