Treating ADHD in Preschool Children: The Medicalization of Early Childhood?

Do recent U.S. survey data indicate a glass half-empty or half-full in meeting practice guideline recommendations?

The 2011 evidence-based guideline from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) recommends parent-administered behavior therapy as the first line of treatment in preschool-age children, followed by stimulant medication only after behavior therapy is shown to be ineffective in changing core ADHD behaviors.

In a recent analysis of data on behavioral and pharmacological treatments for children with ADHD from the 2009–2010 National Survey on Children with Special Health Care Needs, 25% of preschool-age children with ADHD received medication alone, 32% received behavioral therapy alone, 21% received both treatments, and 21% received neither treatment.

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics