New ADHD Treatment Guidelines
Posted By Vic on December 1, 2009
New Guidelines on ADHD and ADHD treatment were released on Friday 27th November 2009. These are intended to help improve the assessment, treatment and care of people with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in Australia.
Medical professionals and parents have been concerned for some time about the lack of clear, evidence-based information to assist the many people affected by this condition.
Professor David Forbes, Chair of the RACP’s Guidelines Working Group, said a multi-modal approach is recommended for treatment of ADHD.
He said, “Treatment may include education, psychosocial strategies, behavioral management and changes in nutrition and medication.
“If the draft Guidelines are followed by practitioners, children with ADHD will be carefully assessed, families will be informed of risks, benefits and options and children will receive individualised therapy.
“What’s important is that it is likely fewer children will be prescribed medication, and that more children will have school and home based programs that assist their parents in managing their symptoms,” said Professor Forbes.
“I am pleased that we can finally provide this more up to date information on ways to identify and care for those in our community who may be suffering from ADHD,” said the Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon.
The updated draft on the Australian Guidelines on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) was released by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) and National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
The RACP conducted a thorough and careful process to develop these draft Guidelines. They utilised a panel of independent experts to review the scientific evidence, and an independent scientific writer to prepare the draft document, with the work overseen by an expert working group. The panel produced an initial draft of the Guidelines in 2008, which was issued for public comment in July 2008.
Finally the weight of evidence is changing official views.
ADHD medication does have a place in ADHD treatment, but they are not a panacea. Stimulants do have their negative sides and have only limited benefits. Alternative treatments, from learning coping strategies to diets and supplements have a longer lasting effect without side effects.
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