The child with ADHD: Using the AAP clinical practice guideline

The American Academy of Pediatrics developed an evidence-based clinical pra ctice guideline that provides recommendations for the assessment and diagno sis of school-aged children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD). This guideline, the first of two guidelines to provide recommendatio ns on this condition, is intended for use by primary care clinicians. The s econd set of guidelines will address the treatment of children with ADHD. T he guideline contains six recommendations for the diagnosis of ADHD: (1) in a child six to 12 years of age who presents with inattention, hyperactivit y. impulsivity, academic underachievement or behavior problems, primary car e clinicians should initiate an evaluation for ADHD; (2) the diagnosis of A DHD requires that a child meet the criteria for ADHD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; (3) the assessment of ADHD requires evidence directly obtained from parents or caregivers regarding the core s ymptoms of ADHD in various settings, the age of onset, duration of symptoms and degree of functional impairment; (4) the assessment of ADHD also requi res evidence directly obtained from a teacher (or other school professional ) regarding the core symptoms of ADHD, duration of symptoms, degree of func tional impairment and associated conditions; (5) evaluation of the child wi th ADHD should include assessment for coexisting conditions; and (B) other diagnostic tests are not routinely indicated to establish the diagnosis of ADHD but may be used for the assessment of coexisting conditions.