14 DAY TRIAL // The American Academy of Pediatrics has just released a new set of guidelines on how to diagnose and treat attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). The document provides the necessary foundation for experts to diagnose the condition in children as young as 4.
According to the new document, pediatrics experts are allowed to place the diagnostic for young kids, but they cannot prescribe drugs to the little ones. They can however recommend behavioral treatments that parents can then apply until their children grow up.
“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,” explains the lead author of the new report, Mark Wolraich, MD.
“Because of greater awareness about ADHD and better ways of diagnosing and treating this disorder, more children are being helped,” he goes on to say, as quoted by PsychCentral.