PRACTICE PARAMETERS FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND ADULTS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY-DISORDER/

These practice parameters review the literature on children, adolescen ts, and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). T here are three types of ADHD: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and combined. Together, they occur in as many as 10% of boys and 5% of girls of elementary school age. Prevalence de clines with age, although up to 65% of hyperactive children are still symptomatic as adults. Frequency in adults is estimated to be 2% to 7% . Assessment includes clinical interviews and standardized rating scal es from parents and teachers. Testing of intelligence and academic ach ievement usually are required. Comorbidity is common. The cornerstones of treatment are support and education of parents, appropriate school placement, and pharmacology. The primary medications are psychostimul ants, but antidepressants and alpha-adrenergic agonists are used in sp ecial circumstances. Other treatments such as behavior modification, s chool consultation, family therapy, and group therapy address remainin g symptoms.