The AAP provides clinical guidance and other resources to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Tools are provided for pediatricians, patients, families and teachers to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the patients functioning and behaviors leading to a proper diagnosis and successful treatment plan.
ADHD Overview
ADHD is the most common neurobiological disorder in the United States and more than 9 percent of children aged 2-17 receive an ADHD diagnosis during their childhood. Most children diagnosed with ADHD had at least 1 comorbidity and approximately 18 percent had 3 or more. These comorbidities increase the complexity of diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of these children. The majority of care for children with ADHD is provided by their primary care physician, though multiple barriers exist that are impediments to providing excellent ADHD care.
AAP Recommendations
In this clinical practice guideline, AAP addresses the challenges in evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents from 4 to 18 years of age. An update of the 2011 guideline, the guideline now includes an additional key action statement to address coexisting and comorbid conditions in children with ADHD. The guideline is accompanied by two additional documents, (1) a process of care algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD and (2) an article on systemic barriers to the care of children and adolescents with ADHD.
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Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
Our mission is to strengthen collaboration between primary care pediatricians, developmental and behavioral subspecialists and families to ensure children receive comprehensive high quality developmental and behavioral (DB) pediatric care.
Last Updated
02/28/2022
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics