Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents

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Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents
CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE

                           Clinical Practice Guideline for the
                           Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of
                           Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
                           Disorder in Children and Adolescents
                           Mark L. Wolraich, MD, FAAP,a Joseph F. Hagan, Jr, MD, FAAP,b,c Carla Allan, PhD,d,e Eugenia Chan, MD, MPH, FAAP,f,g
                           Dale Davison, MSpEd, PCC,h,i Marian Earls, MD, MTS, FAAP,j,k Steven W. Evans, PhD,l,m Susan K. Flinn, MA,n
                           Tanya Froehlich, MD, MS, FAAP,o,p Jennifer Frost, MD, FAAFP,q,r Joseph R. Holbrook, PhD, MPH,s
                           Christoph Ulrich Lehmann, MD, FAAP,t Herschel Robert Lessin, MD, FAAP,u Kymika Okechukwu, MPA,v
                           Karen L. Pierce, MD, DFAACAP,w,x Jonathan D. Winner, MD, FAAP,y William Zurhellen, MD, FAAP,z SUBCOMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND
                           ADOLESCENTS WITH ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVE DISORDER

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common                   abstract
neurobehavioral disorders of childhood and can profoundly affect children’s                a
                                                                                             Section of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of
academic achievement, well-being, and social interactions. The American Academy            Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; bDepartment of Pediatrics, The
of Pediatrics first published clinical recommendations for evaluation and                   Robert Larner, MD, College of Medicine, The University of Vermont,
                                                                                           Burlington, Vermont; cHagan, Rinehart, and Connolly Pediatricians,
diagnosis of pediatric ADHD in 2000; recommendations for treatment followed                PLLC, Burlington, Vermont; dDivision of Developmental and Behavioral
in 2001. The guidelines were revised in 2011 and published with an accompanying            Health, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, Kansas
                                                                                           City, Missouri; eSchool of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City,
process of care algorithm (PoCA) providing discrete and manageable steps by                Kansas City, Missouri; fDivision of Developmental Medicine, Boston
which clinicians could fulfill the clinical guideline’s recommendations. Since the          Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; gHarvard Medical School,
                                                                                           Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts; hChildren and Adults with
release of the 2011 guideline, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental             Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Lanham, Maryland; iDale
Disorders has been revised to the fifth edition, and new ADHD-related research              Davison, LLC, Skokie, Illinois; jCommunity Care of North Carolina,
has been published. These publications do not support dramatic changes to                  Raleigh, North Carolina; kSchool of Medicine, University of North
                                                                                           Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; lDepartment of Psychology, Ohio
the previous recommendations. Therefore, only incremental updates have been                University, Athens, Ohio; mCenter for Intervention Research in Schools,
made in this guideline revision, including the addition of a key action statement          Ohio University, Athens, Ohio; nAmerican Academy of Pediatrics,
                                                                                           Alexandria, Virginia; oDepartment of Pediatrics, University of
related to diagnosis and treatment of comorbid conditions in children and                  Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; pCincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical
adolescents with ADHD. The accompanying process of care algorithm has also                 Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; qSwope Health Services, Kansas City, Kansas;
                                                                                           r
                                                                                            American Academy of Family Physicians, Leawood, Kansas; sNational
been updated to assist in implementing the guideline recommendations.                      Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for
Throughout the process of revising the guideline and algorithm, numerous                   Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; tDepartments of
                                                                                           Biomedical Informatics and Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville,
systemic barriers were identified that restrict and/or hamper pediatric clinicians’         Tennessee; uThe Children’s Medical Group, Poughkeepsie, New York;
ability to adopt their recommendations. Therefore, the subcommittee created
a companion article (available in the Supplemental Information) on systemic
                                                                                               To cite: Wolraich ML, Hagan JF, Allan C, et al. AAP
barriers to the care of children and adolescents with ADHD, which identifies the
                                                                                               SUBCOMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH
major systemic-level barriers and presents recommendations to address those                    ATTENTION-DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVE DISORDER. Clinical Practice
barriers; in this article, we support the recommendations of the clinical practice             Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of
guideline and accompanying process of care algorithm.                                          Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and
                                                                                               Adolescents. Pediatrics. 2019;144(4):e20192528

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PEDIATRICS Volume 144, number 4, October 2019:e20192528                                 FROM THE AMERICAN                 ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
INTRODUCTION                                implementation of such a resource. In           care to the patient and his or her
This article updates and replaces the       response, this guideline is supported           family. There is some evidence that
2011 clinical practice guideline            by 2 accompanying documents,                    African American and Latino children
revision published by the American          available in the Supplemental                   are less likely to have ADHD
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), “Clinical      Information: (1) a process of care              diagnosed and are less likely to be
Practice Guideline: Diagnosis and           algorithm (PoCA) for the diagnosis              treated for ADHD. Special attention
Evaluation of the Child with                and treatment of children and                   should be given to these populations
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity              adolescents with ADHD and (2) an                when assessing comorbidities as they
Disorder.”1 This guideline, like the        article on systemic barriers to the             relate to ADHD and when treating for
previous document, addresses the            care of children and adolescents with           ADHD symptoms.3 Given the
evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment        ADHD. These supplemental                        nationwide problem of limited access
of attention-deficit/hyperactivity           documents are designed to aid PCCs              to mental health clinicians,4
disorder (ADHD) in children from age        in implementing the formal                      pediatricians and other PCCs are
4 years to their 18th birthday, with        recommendations for the evaluation,             increasingly called on to provide
special guidance provided for ADHD          diagnosis, and treatment of children            services to patients with ADHD and to
care for preschool-aged children and        and adolescents with ADHD. Although             their families. In addition, the AAP
adolescents. (Note that for the             this document is specific to children            holds that primary care pediatricians
purposes of this document,                  and adolescents in the United States            should be prepared to diagnose and
“preschool-aged” refers to children         in some of its recommendations,                 manage mild-to-moderate ADHD,
from age 4 years to the sixth               international stakeholders can modify           anxiety, depression, and problematic
birthday.) Pediatricians and other          specific content (ie, educational laws           substance use, as well as co-manage
primary care clinicians (PCCs) may          about accommodations, etc) as                   patients who have more severe
continue to provide care after              needed. (Prevention is addressed in             conditions with mental health
18 years of age, but care beyond this       the Mental Health Task Force                    professionals. Unfortunately, third-
age was not studied for this guideline.     recommendations.2)                              party payers seldom pay
                                                                                            appropriately for these time-
Since 2011, much research has               PoCA for the Diagnosis and                      consuming services.5,6
                                            Treatment of Children and
occurred, and the Diagnostic and
                                            Adolescents With ADHD                           To assist pediatricians and other
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,
                                            In this revised guideline and                   PCCs in overcoming such obstacles,
Fifth Edition (DSM-5), has been
                                            accompanying PoCA, we recognize                 the companion article on systemic
released. The new research and DSM-
                                            that evaluation, diagnosis, and                 barriers to the care of children and
5 do not, however, support dramatic
                                            treatment are a continuous process.             adolescents with ADHD reviews the
changes to the previous
                                            The PoCA provides recommendations               barriers and makes recommendations
recommendations. Hence, this new
                                            for implementing the guideline steps,           to address them to enhance care for
guideline includes only incremental
                                            although there is less evidence for the         children and adolescents with ADHD.
updates to the previous guideline.
One such update is the addition of          PoCA than for the guidelines. The
a key action statement (KAS) about          section on evaluating and treating
                                            comorbidities has also been expanded            ADHD EPIDEMIOLOGY AND SCOPE
the diagnosis and treatment of
coexisting or comorbid conditions in        in the PoCA document.                           Prevalence estimates of ADHD vary
children and adolescents with ADHD.                                                         on the basis of differences in research
                                            Systems Barriers to the Care of                 methodologies, the various age
The subcommittee uses the term
                                            Children and Adolescents With ADHD
“comorbid,” to be consistent with the                                                       groups being described, and changes
DSM-5.                                      There are many system-level barriers            in diagnostic criteria over time.7
                                            that hamper the adoption of the best-           Authors of a recent meta-analysis
Since 2011, the release of new              practice recommendations contained              calculated a pooled worldwide ADHD
research reflects an increased               in the clinical practice guideline and          prevalence of 7.2% among children8;
understanding and recognition of            the PoCA. The procedures                        estimates from some community-
ADHD’s prevalence and                       recommended in this guideline                   based samples are somewhat higher,
epidemiology; the challenges it raises      necessitate spending more time with             at 8.7% to 15.5%.9,10 National survey
for children and families; the need for     patients and their families,                    data from 2016 indicate that 9.4% of
a comprehensive clinical resource for       developing a care management                    children in the United States 2 to
the evaluation, diagnosis, and              system of contacts with school and              17 years of age have ever had an
treatment of pediatric ADHD; and the        other community stakeholders, and               ADHD diagnosis, including 2.4% of
barriers that impede the                    providing continuous, coordinated               children 2 to 5 years of age.11 In that

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2                                                                                               FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
national survey, 8.4% of children 2 to           developmentally capable of                        Centers of the US Agency for
17 years of age currently had ADHD,              compensating for their weaknesses),               Healthcare Research and Quality
representing 5.4 million children.11             for most children, retention is not               (AHRQ).23 These questions assessed
Among children and adolescents with              beneficial.22                                      4 diagnostic areas and 3 treatment
current ADHD, almost two-thirds                                                                    areas on the basis of research
were taking medication, and                                                                        published in 2011 through 2016.
                                                 METHODOLOGY
approximately half had received                                                                    The AHRQ’s framework was guided
behavioral treatment of ADHD in the              As with the original 2000 clinical
                                                                                                   by key clinical questions addressing
past year. Nearly one quarter had                practice guideline and the 2011
                                                                                                   diagnosis as well as treatment
received neither type of treatment of            revision, the AAP collaborated with
                                                                                                   interventions for children and
ADHD.11                                          several organizations to form
                                                                                                   adolescents 4 to 18 years of age.
                                                 a subcommittee on ADHD (the
Symptoms of ADHD occur in                        subcommittee) under the oversight of              The first clinical questions pertaining
childhood, and most children with                the AAP Council on Quality                        to ADHD diagnosis were as follows:
ADHD will continue to have                       Improvement and Patient Safety.                   1. What is the comparative
symptoms and impairment through
                                                 The subcommittee’s membership                        diagnostic accuracy of approaches
adolescence and into adulthood.
                                                 included representation of a wide                    that can be used in the primary
According to a 2014 national survey,
                                                 range of primary care and                            care practice setting or by
the median age of diagnosis was
                                                 subspecialty groups, including                       specialists to diagnose ADHD
7 years; approximately one-third of
                                                 primary care pediatricians,                          among children younger than
children were diagnosed before
                                                 developmental-behavioral                             7 years of age?
6 years of age.12 More than half of
these children were first diagnosed               pediatricians, an epidemiologist from             2. What is the comparative
by a PCC, often a pediatrician.12 As             the Centers for Disease Control and                  diagnostic accuracy of EEG,
individuals with ADHD enter                      Prevention; and representatives from                 imaging, or executive function
adolescence, their overt hyperactive             the American Academy of Child and                    approaches that can be used in the
and impulsive symptoms tend to                   Adolescent Psychiatry, the Society for               primary care practice setting or by
decline, whereas their inattentive               Pediatric Psychology, the National                   specialists to diagnose ADHD
symptoms tend to persist.13,14                   Association of School Psychologists,                 among individuals aged 7 to their
Learning and language problems are               the Society for Developmental and                    18th birthday?
common comorbid conditions with                  Behavioral Pediatrics (SDBP), the                 3. What are the adverse effects
ADHD.15                                          American Academy of Family                           associated with being labeled
                                                 Physicians, and Children and Adults                  correctly or incorrectly as having
Boys are more than twice as likely as            with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity                  ADHD?
girls to receive a diagnosis of                  Disorder (CHADD) to provide
                                                                                                   4. Are there more formal
ADHD,9,11,16 possibly because                    feedback on the patient/parent
                                                                                                      neuropsychological, imaging, or
hyperactive behaviors, which are                 perspective.
                                                                                                      genetic tests that improve the
easily observable and potentially
                                                 This subcommittee met over a 3.5-                    diagnostic process?
disruptive, are seen more frequently
                                                 year period from 2015 to 2018 to                  The treatment questions were as
in boys. The majority of both boys
                                                 review practice changes and newly                 follows:
and girls with ADHD also meet
                                                 identified issues that have arisen
diagnostic criteria for another mental                                                             1. What are the comparative safety
                                                 since the publication of the 2011
disorder.17,18 Boys are more likely to                                                                and effectiveness of pharmacologic
                                                 guidelines. The subcommittee
exhibit externalizing conditions like                                                                 and/or nonpharmacologic
                                                 members’ potential conflicts were
oppositional defiant disorder or                                                                       treatments of ADHD in improving
                                                 identified and taken into
conduct disorder.17,19,20 Recent                                                                      outcomes associated with ADHD?
                                                 consideration in the group’s
research has established that girls
                                                 deliberations. No conflicts prevented              2. What is the risk of diversion of
with ADHD are more likely than boys
                                                 subcommittee member participation                    pharmacologic treatment?
to have a comorbid internalizing
                                                 on the guidelines.                                3. What are the comparative safety
condition like anxiety or
depression.21                                                                                         and effectiveness of different
                                                 Research Questions                                   monitoring strategies to evaluate
Although there is a greater risk of              The subcommittee developed a series                  the effectiveness of treatment or
receiving a diagnosis of ADHD for                of research questions to direct an                   changes in ADHD status (eg,
children who are the youngest in                 evidence-based review sponsored by                   worsening or resolving
their class (who are therefore less              1 of the Evidence-based Practice                     symptoms)?

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PEDIATRICS Volume 144, number 4, October 2019                                                                                              3
In addition to this review of the
research questions, the subcommittee
considered information from a review
of evidence-based psychosocial
treatments for children and
adolescents with ADHD24 (which, in
some cases, affected the evidence
grade) as well as updated information
on prevalence from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.

Evidence Review
This article followed the latest
version of the evidence base update
format used to develop the previous 3
clinical practice guidelines.24–26
Under this format, studies were only
included in the review when they met
a variety of criteria designed to
ensure the research was based on
a strong methodology that yielded
confidence in its conclusions.
The level of efficacy for each
treatment was defined on the basis of
child-focused outcomes related to           FIGURE 1
                                            AAP rating of evidence and recommendations.
both symptoms and impairment.
Hence, improvements in behaviors on
the part of parents or teachers, such
                                            sites/default/files/pdf/cer-203-adhd-            demonstrated a preponderance of
as the use of communication or
                                            final_0.pdf.                                     benefits over harms, the KAS provides
praise, were not considered in the
                                                                                            a “strong recommendation” or
review. Although these outcomes are         The evidence is discussed in more
                                                                                            “recommendation.”27 Clinicians
important, they address how                 detail in published reports and
                                                                                            should follow a “strong
treatment reaches the child or              articles.25
                                                                                            recommendation” unless a clear and
adolescent with ADHD and are,
                                            Guideline Recommendations and Key               compelling rationale for an
therefore, secondary to changes in the
                                            Action Statements                               alternative approach is present;
child’s behavior. Focusing on
                                                                                            clinicians are prudent to follow
improvements in the child or                The AAP policy statement,                       a “recommendation” but are advised
adolescent’s symptoms and                   “Classifying Recommendations for                to remain alert to new information
impairment emphasizes the                   Clinical Practice Guidelines,” was              and be sensitive to patient
disorder’s characteristics and              followed in designating aggregate               preferences27 (see Fig 1).
manifestations that affect children         evidence quality levels for the
and their families.                         available evidence (see Fig 1).27 The           When the scientific evidence
                                            AAP policy statement is consistent              comprised lower-quality or limited
The treatment-related evidence relied
                                            with the grading recommendations                data and expert consensus or high-
on a recent review of literature from
                                            advanced by the University of                   quality evidence with a balance
2011 through 2016 by the AHRQ of
                                            Oxford Centre for Evidence Based                between benefits and harms, the KAS
citations from Medline, Embase,
                                            Medicine.                                       provides an “option” level of
PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Database
                                                                                            recommendation. Options are clinical
of Systematic Reviews.                      The subcommittee reached consensus
                                                                                            interventions that a reasonable
                                            on the evidence, which was then used
The original methodology and report,                                                        health care provider might or might
                                            to develop the clinical practice
including the evidence search and                                                           not wish to implement in the
                                            guideline’s KASs.
review, are available in their entirety                                                     practice.27 Where the evidence
and as an executive summary at              When the scientific evidence was at              was lacking, a combination of
https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/       least “good” in quality and                     evidence and expert consensus

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4                                                                                               FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
would be used, although this                     These KASs provide for consistent                 (Table 2). (Grade B: strong
did not occur in these                           and high-quality care for children and            recommendation.)
guidelines, and all KASs                         adolescents who may have symptoms
achieved a “strong                               suggesting attention disorders or                 The basis for this recommendation is
recommendation” level except                     problems as well as for their families.           essentially unchanged from the
for KAS 7, on comorbidities,                     In developing the 7 KASs, the                     previous guideline. As noted, ADHD is
which received a recommendation                  subcommittee considered the                       the most common neurobehavioral
level (see Fig 1).                               requirements for establishing the                 disorder of childhood, occurring in
                                                 diagnosis; the prevalence of ADHD;                approximately 7% to 8% of children
As shown in Fig 1, integrating                   the effect of untreated ADHD; the                 and youth.8,18,28,29 Hence, the number
evidence quality appraisal with an               efficacy and adverse effects of                    of children with this condition is far
assessment of the anticipated balance            treatment; various long-term                      greater than can be managed by the
between benefits and harms leads to               outcomes; the importance of                       mental health system.4 There is
a designation of a strong                        coordination between pediatric and                evidence that appropriate diagnosis
recommendation, recommendation,                  mental health service providers; the              can be accomplished in the primary
option, or no recommendation.                    value of the medical home; and the                care setting for children and
                                                 common occurrence of comorbid                     adolescents.30,31 Note that there is
Once the evidence level was                      conditions, the importance of                     insufficient evidence to recommend
determined, an evidence grade was                addressing them, and the effects of               diagnosis or treatment for children
assigned. AAP policy stipulates that             not treating them.                                younger than 4 years (other than
the evidence supporting each KAS be                                                                parent training in behavior
prospectively identified, appraised,              The subcommittee members with the                 management [PTBM], which does not
and summarized, and an explicit link             most epidemiological experience                   require a diagnosis to be applied); in
between quality levels and the grade             assessed the strength of each                     instances in which ADHD-like
of recommendation must be defined.                recommendation and the quality of                 symptoms in children younger than
Possible grades of recommendations               evidence supporting each draft KAS.               4 years bring substantial impairment,
range from “A” to “D,” with “A” being                                                              PCCs can consider making a referral
the highest:                                     Peer Review                                       for PTBM.
• grade A: consistent level A studies;           The guidelines and PoCA underwent
• grade B: consistent level B or                 extensive peer review by more than                KAS 2
  extrapolations from level A studies;           30 internal stakeholders (eg, AAP
                                                                                                   To make a diagnosis of ADHD, the
• grade C: level C studies or                    committees, sections, councils, and
                                                                                                   PCC should determine that DSM-5
  extrapolations from level B or level           task forces) and external stakeholder
                                                                                                   criteria have been met, including
  C studies;                                     groups identified by the
                                                                                                   documentation of symptoms and
                                                 subcommittee. The resulting
• grade D: level D evidence or                                                                     impairment in more than 1 major
                                                 comments were compiled and
  troublingly inconsistent or                                                                      setting (ie, social, academic, or
                                                 reviewed by the chair and vice chair;
  inconclusive studies of any level;                                                               occupational), with information
                                                 relevant changes were incorporated
  and                                                                                              obtained primarily from reports from
                                                 into the draft, which was then
• level X: not an explicit level of              reviewed by the full subcommittee.
                                                                                                   parents or guardians, teachers, other
  evidence as outlined by the Centre                                                               school personnel, and mental health
  for Evidence-Based Medicine. This                                                                clinicians who are involved in the
  level is reserved for interventions            KASS FOR THE EVALUATION,                          child or adolescent’s care. The PCC
  that are unethical or impossible to            DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND                         should also rule out any alternative
  test in a controlled or scientific              MONITORING OF CHILDREN AND                        cause (Table 3). (Grade B: strong
  fashion and for which the                      ADOLESCENTS WITH ADHD                             recommendation.)
  preponderance of benefit or harm
                                                 KAS 1                                             The American Psychiatric Association
  is overwhelming, precluding
  rigorous investigation.                        The pediatrician or other PCC should              developed the DSM-5 using expert
                                                 initiate an evaluation for ADHD for               consensus and an expanding research
Guided by the evidence quality and               any child or adolescent age 4 years to            foundation.32 The DSM-5 system is
grade, the subcommittee developed 7              the 18th birthday who presents with               used by professionals in psychiatry,
KASs for the evaluation, diagnosis,              academic or behavioral problems and               psychology, health care systems, and
and treatment of ADHD in children                symptoms of inattention,                          primary care; it is also well
and adolescents (see Table 1).                   hyperactivity, or impulsivity                     established with third-party payers.

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PEDIATRICS Volume 144, number 4, October 2019                                                                                           5
TABLE 1 Summary of KASs for Diagnosing, Evaluating, and Treating ADHD in Children and Adolescents
    KASs                                                                                                    Evidence Quality, Strength of Recommendation
    KAS 1: The pediatrician or other PCC should initiate an evaluation for ADHD for any child or    Grade B, strong recommendation
      adolescent age 4 years to the 18th birthday who presents with academic or behavioral
      problems and symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity.
    KAS 2: To make a diagnosis of ADHD, the PCC should determine that DSM-5 criteria have been      Grade B, strong recommendation
      met, including documentation of symptoms and impairment in more than 1 major setting
      (ie, social, academic, or occupational), with information obtained primarily from reports
      from parents or guardians, teachers, other school personnel, and mental health
      clinicians who are involved in the child or adolescent’s care. The PCC should also rule out
      any alternative cause.
    KAS 3: In the evaluation of a child or adolescent for ADHD, the PCC should include a process    Grade B, strong recommendation
      to at least screen for comorbid conditions, including emotional or behavioral conditions
      (eg, anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorders, substance use),
      developmental conditions (eg, learning and language disorders, autism spectrum
      disorders), and physical conditions (eg, tics, sleep apnea).
    KAS 4: ADHD is a chronic condition; therefore, the PCC should manage children and               Grade B, strong recommendation
      adolescents with ADHD in the same manner that they would children and youth with
      special health care needs, following the principles of the chronic care model and the
      medical home.
    KAS 5a: For preschool-aged children (age 4 years to the sixth birthday) with ADHD, the PCC      Grade A, strong recommendation for PTBM
      should prescribe evidence-based PTBM and/or behavioral classroom interventions as the
      first line of treatment, if available.
      Methylphenidate may be considered if these behavioral interventions do not provide            Grade B, strong recommendation for methylphenidate
         significant improvement and there is moderate-to-severe continued disturbance in the
         4- through 5-year-old child’s functioning. In areas in which evidence-based behavioral
         treatments are not available, the clinician needs to weigh the risks of starting
         medication before the age of 6 years against the harm of delaying treatment.
    KAS 5b. For elementary and middle school-aged children (age 6 years to the 12th birthday)       Grade A, strong recommendation for medications
      with ADHD, the PCC should prescribe FDA-approved medications for ADHD, along with             Grade A, strong recommendation for training and behavioral
      PTBM and/or behavioral classroom intervention (preferably both PTBM and behavioral              treatments for ADHD with family and school
      classroom interventions). Educational interventions and individualized instructional
      supports, including school environment, class placement, instructional placement, and
      behavioral supports, are a necessary part of any treatment plan and often include an IEP
      or a rehabilitation plan (504 plan).
    KAS 5c. For adolescents (age 12 years to the 18th birthday) with ADHD, the PCC should           Grade A, strong recommendation for medications
      prescribe FDA-approved medications for ADHD with the adolescent’s assent. The PCC is          Grade A, strong recommendation for training and behavioral
      encouraged to prescribe evidence-based training interventions and/or behavioral                 treatments for ADHD with the family and school
      interventions as treatment of ADHD, if available. Educational interventions and
      individualized instructional supports, including school environment, class placement,
      instructional placement, and behavioral supports, are a necessary part of any treatment
      plan and often include an IEP or a rehabilitation plan (504 plan).
    KAS 6. The PCC should titrate doses of medication for ADHD to achieve maximum benefit with       Grade B, strong recommendation
      tolerable side effects.
    KAS 7. The PCC, if trained or experienced in diagnosing comorbid conditions, may initiate       Grade C, recommendation
      treatment of such conditions or make a referral to an appropriate subspecialist for
      treatment. After detecting possible comorbid conditions, if the PCC is not trained or
      experienced in making the diagnosis or initiating treatment, the patient should be
      referred to an appropriate subspecialist to make the diagnosis and initiate treatment.

The DSM-5 criteria define 4                                 3. attention-deficit/hyperactivity                       standard most frequently used by
dimensions of ADHD:                                           disorder combined presentation                       clinicians and researchers to render
1. attention-deficit/hyperactivity                             (ADHD/C) (314.01 [F90.2]); and                       the diagnosis and document its
   disorder primarily of the                               4. ADHD other specified and                              appropriateness for a given child.
   inattentive presentation (ADHD/I)                          unspecified ADHD (314.01                              The use of neuropsychological
   (314.00 [F90.0]);                                          [F90.8]).                                            testing has not been found to
2. attention-deficit/hyperactivity                          As with the previous guideline                          improve diagnostic accuracy in
   disorder primarily of the                               recommendations, the DSM-5                              most cases, although it may have
   hyperactive-impulsive                                   classification criteria are based on                     benefit in clarifying the child
   presentation (ADHD/HI) (314.01                          the best available evidence for                         or adolescent’s learning
   [F90.1]);                                               ADHD diagnosis and are the                              strengths and weaknesses. (See the

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6                                                                                                           FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
TABLE 2 KAS 1: The pediatrician or other PCC should initiate an evaluation for ADHD for any child or adolescent age 4 years to the 18th birthday who
           presents with academic or behavioral problems and symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. (Grade B: strong recommendation.)
 Aggregate evidence                                                                         Grade B
 quality
 Benefits                   ADHD goes undiagnosed in a considerable number of children and adolescents. Primary care clinicians’ more-rigorous identification
                             of children with these problems is likely to decrease the rate of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD in children and adolescents.
 Risks, harm, cost         Children and adolescents in whom ADHD is inappropriately diagnosed may be labeled inappropriately, or another condition may be
                             missed, and they may receive treatments that will not benefit them.
 Benefit-harm               The high prevalence of ADHD and limited mental health resources require primary care pediatricians and other PCCs to play
   assessment                a significant role in the care of patients with ADHD and assist them to receive appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Treatments
                             available have good evidence of efficacy, and a lack of treatment has the risk of impaired outcomes.
 Intentional vagueness     There are limits between what a PCC can address and what should be referred to a subspecialist because of varying degrees of skills
                             and comfort levels present among the former.
 Role of patient           Success with treatment is dependent on patient and family preference, which need to be taken into account.
    preferences
 Exclusions                None.
 Strength                  Strong recommendation.
 Key references            Wolraich et al31; Visser et al28; Thomas et al8; Egger et al30

PoCA for more information on                            should conduct a clinical interview                   children younger than 18 years (ie,
implementing this KAS.)                                 with parents, examine and observe                     preschool-aged children, elementary
                                                        the child, and obtain information                     and middle school–aged children, and
Special Circumstances: Preschool-Aged                   from parents and teachers through                     adolescents) and are only minimally
Children (Age 4 Years to the Sixth                      DSM-based ADHD rating scales.40                       different from the DSM-IV. Hence, if
Birthday)                                               Normative data are available for the                  clinicians do not have the ADHD
                                                        DSM-5–based rating scales for ages                    Rating Scale-5 or the ADHD Rating
There is evidence that the diagnostic
criteria for ADHD can be applied to                     5 years to the 18th birthday.41 There                 Scale-IV Preschool Version,42 any
preschool-aged children.33–39 A                         are, however, minimal changes in the                  other DSM-based scale can be used to
review of the literature, including the                 specific behaviors from the DSM-IV,                    provide a systematic method for
multisite study of the efficacy of                       on which all the other DSM-based                      collecting information from parents
methylphenidate in preschool-aged                       ADHD rating scales obtained                           and teachers, even in the absence of
children, found that the DSM-5                          normative data. Both the ADHD                         normative data.
criteria could appropriately identify                   Rating Scale-IV and the Conners
children with ADHD.25                                   Rating Scale have preschool-age                       Pediatricians and other PCCs should
                                                        normative data based on the DSM-IV.                   be aware that determining the
To make a diagnosis of ADHD in                          The specific behaviors in the DSM-5                    presence of key symptoms in this age
preschool-aged children, clinicians                     criteria for ADHD are the same for all                group has its challenges, such as

TABLE 3 KAS 2: To make a diagnosis of ADHD, the PCC should determine that DSM-5 criteria have been met, including documentation of symptoms and
         impairment in more than 1 major setting (ie, social, academic, or occupational), with information obtained primarily from reports from parents
         or guardians, teachers, other school personnel, and mental health clinicians who are involved in the child or adolescent’s care. The PCC should
         also rule out any alternative cause. (Grade B: strong recommendation.)
 Aggregate evidence                                                                         Grade B
 quality
 Benefits                   Use of the DSM-5 criteria has led to more uniform categorization of the condition across professional disciplines. The criteria are
                             essentially unchanged from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), for children up to
                             their 18th birthday, except that DSM-IV required onset prior to age 7 for a diagnosis, while DSM-5 requires onset prior to age 12.
 Risks, harm, cost         The DSM-5 does not specifically state that symptoms must be beyond expected levels for developmental (rather than chronologic) age
                             to qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, which may lead to some misdiagnoses in children with developmental disorders.
 Benefit-harm               The benefits far outweigh the harm.
    assessment
 Intentional vagueness     None.
 Role of patient           Although there is some stigma associated with mental disorder diagnoses, resulting in some families preferring other diagnoses, the
    preferences               need for better clarity in diagnoses outweighs this preference.
 Exclusions                None.
 Strength                  Strong recommendation.
 Key references            Evans et al25; McGoey et al42; Young43; Sibley et al46

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PEDIATRICS Volume 144, number 4, October 2019                                                                                                                     7
observing symptoms across multiple           many adolescents have multiple                  be aware that adolescents are at
settings as required by the DSM-5,           teachers. Likewise, an adolescent’s             greater risk for substance use than
particularly among children who do           parents may have less opportunity to            are younger children.44,45,47 Certain
not attend a preschool or child care         observe their child’s behaviors than            substances, such as marijuana, can
program. Here, too, focused checklists       they did when the child was younger.            have effects that mimic ADHD;
can be used to aid in the diagnostic         Furthermore, some problems                      adolescent patients may also attempt
evaluation.                                  experienced by children with ADHD               to obtain stimulant medication to
                                             are less obvious in adolescents than            enhance performance (ie, academic,
PTBM is the recommended primary
                                             in younger children because                     athletic, etc) by feigning symptoms.48
intervention for preschool-aged
                                             adolescents are less likely to exhibit
children with ADHD as well as                                                                Trauma experiences, posttraumatic
                                             overt hyperactive behavior. Of note,
children with ADHD-like behaviors                                                            stress disorder, and toxic stress are
                                             adolescents’ reports of their own
whose diagnosis is not yet verified.                                                          additional comorbidities and risk
                                             behaviors often differ from other
This type of training helps parents                                                          factors of concern.
                                             observers because they tend to
learn age-appropriate developmental
                                             minimize their own problematic
expectations, behaviors that
                                             behaviors.43–45                                 Special Circumstances: Inattention or
strengthen the parent-child
                                                                                             Hyperactivity/Impulsivity (Problem
relationship, and specific                    Despite these difficulties, clinicians           Level)
management skills for problem                need to try to obtain information
behaviors. Clinicians do not need to         from at least 2 teachers or other               Teachers, parents, and child health
have made an ADHD diagnosis before           sources, such as coaches, school                professionals typically encounter
recommending PTBM because PTBM               guidance counselors, or leaders of              children who demonstrate behaviors
has documented effectiveness with            community activities in which the               relating to activity level, impulsivity,
a wide variety of problem behaviors,         adolescent participates.46 For the              and inattention but who do not fully
regardless of etiology. In addition, the     evaluation to be successful, it is              meet DSM-5 criteria. When assessing
intervention’s results may inform the        essential that adolescents agree with           these children, diagnostic criteria
subsequent diagnostic evaluation.            and participate in the evaluation.              should be closely reviewed, which
Clinicians are encouraged to                 Variability in ratings is to be                 may require obtaining more
recommend that parents complete              expected because adolescents’                   information from other settings and
PTBM, if available, before assigning         behavior often varies between                   sources. Also consider that these
an ADHD diagnosis.                           different classrooms and with                   symptoms may suggest other
                                             different teachers. Identifying                 problems that mimic ADHD.
After behavioral parent training is
implemented, the clinician can               reasons for any variability can                 Behavioral interventions, such
obtain information from parents and          provide valuable clinical insight into          as PTBM, are often beneficial for
teachers through DSM-5–based                 the adolescent’s problems.                      children with hyperactive/impulsive
ADHD rating scales. The clinician                                                            behaviors who do not meet full
                                             Note that, unless they previously
may obtain reports about the                                                                 diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
                                             received a diagnosis, to meet DSM-5
parents’ ability to manage their                                                             As noted previously, these programs
                                             criteria for ADHD, adolescents must
children and about the child’s core                                                          do not require a specific diagnosis
                                             have some reported or documented
symptoms and impairments.                                                                    to be beneficial to the family. The
                                             manifestations of inattention or
Referral to an early intervention                                                            previous guideline discussed
                                             hyperactivity/impulsivity before age
program or enrolling in a PTBM                                                               the diagnosis of problem-level
                                             12. Therefore, clinicians must
program can help provide                                                                     concerns on the basis of the
                                             establish that an adolescent had
information about the child’s                                                                Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for
                                             manifestations of ADHD before age
behavior in other settings or with                                                           Primary Care (DSM-PC), Child and
                                             12 and strongly consider whether
other observers. The evaluators for
                                             a mimicking or comorbid condition,              Adolescent Version,49 and made
these programs and/or early                                                                  suggestions for treatment and care.
                                             such as substance use, depression,
childhood special education teachers                                                         The DSM-PC was published in 1995,
                                             and/or anxiety, is present.46
may be useful observers, as well.                                                            however, and it has not been revised
                                             In addition, the risks of mood and              to be compatible with the DSM-5.
Special Circumstances: Adolescents           anxiety disorders and risky sexual              Therefore, the DSM-PC cannot be
(Age 12 Years to the 18th Birthday)          behaviors increase during                       used as a definitive source for
Obtaining teacher reports for                adolescence, as do the risks of                 diagnostic codes related to ADHD and
adolescents is often more challenging        intentional self-harm and suicidal              comorbid conditions, although it can
than for younger children because            behaviors.31 Clinicians should also             be used conceptually as a resource for

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8                                                                                                FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
enriching the understanding of                           condition will alter the treatment                         and the medical home (Table 5).
problem-level manifestations.                            of ADHD.                                                   (Grade B: strong recommendation.)
                                                         The SDBP is developing a clinical                          As in the 2 previous guidelines, this
KAS 3                                                    practice guideline to support                              recommendation is based on the
                                                         clinicians in the diagnosis of                             evidence that for many individuals,
In the evaluation of a child or
                                                         treatment of “complex ADHD,” which                         ADHD causes symptoms and
adolescent for ADHD, the PCC should
                                                         includes ADHD with comorbid                                dysfunction over long periods of time,
include a process to at least screen
                                                         developmental and/or mental health                         even into adulthood. Available
for comorbid conditions, including
                                                         conditions.67                                              treatments address symptoms and
emotional or behavioral conditions
(eg, anxiety, depression, oppositional                                                                              function but are usually not curative.
                                                         Special Circumstances: Adolescents                         Although the chronic illness model
defiant disorder, conduct disorders,                      (Age 12 Years to the 18th Birthday)
substance use), developmental                                                                                       has not been specifically studied in
conditions (eg, learning and language                    At a minimum, clinicians should                            children and adolescents with ADHD,
                                                         assess adolescent patients with newly                      it has been effective for other chronic
disorders, autism spectrum
                                                         diagnosed ADHD for symptoms and                            conditions, such as asthma.68 In
disorders), and physical conditions
                                                         signs of substance use, anxiety,                           addition, the medical home model has
(eg, tics, sleep apnea) (Table 4).
                                                         depression, and learning disabilities.                     been accepted as the preferred
(Grade B: strong recommendation.)
                                                         As noted, all 4 are common comorbid                        standard of care for children with
The majority of both boys and girls                      conditions that affect the treatment                       chronic conditions.69
with ADHD also meet diagnostic                           approach. These comorbidities make
                                                         it important for the clinician to                          The medical home and chronic illness
criteria for another mental                                                                                         approach may be particularly
disorder.17,18 A variety of other                        consider sequencing psychosocial and
                                                         medication treatments to maximize                          beneficial for parents who also have
behavioral, developmental, and                                                                                      ADHD themselves. These parents can
physical conditions can be comorbid                      the impact on areas of greatest risk
                                                         and impairment while monitoring for                        benefit from extra support to help
in children and adolescents who are                                                                                 them follow a consistent schedule for
evaluated for ADHD, including                            possible risks such as stimulant abuse
                                                         or suicidal ideation.                                      medication and behavioral programs.
emotional or behavioral conditions or
a history of these problems. These                                                                                  Authors of longitudinal studies have
include but are not limited to learning                  KAS 4                                                      found that ADHD treatments are
disabilities, language disorder,                         ADHD is a chronic condition;                               frequently not maintained over
disruptive behavior, anxiety, mood                       therefore, the PCC should manage                           time13 and impairments persist into
disorders, tic disorders, seizures,                      children and adolescents with ADHD                         adulthood.70 It is indicated in
autism spectrum disorder,                                in the same manner that they would                         prospective studies that patients with
developmental coordination disorder,                     children and youth with special                            ADHD, whether treated or not, are at
and sleep disorders.50–66 In some                        health care needs, following the                           increased risk for early death, suicide,
cases, the presence of a comorbid                        principles of the chronic care model                       and increased psychiatric

TABLE 4 KAS 3: In the evaluation of a child or adolescent for ADHD, the PCC should include a process to at least screen for comorbid conditions, including
           emotional or behavioral conditions (eg, anxiety, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorders, substance use), developmental
           conditions (eg, learning and language disorders, autism spectrum disorders), and physical conditions (eg, tics, sleep apnea). (Grade B: strong
           recommendation.)
 Aggregate evidence                                                                          Grade B
 quality
 Benefits                    Identifying comorbid conditions is important in developing the most appropriate treatment plan for the child or adolescent with
                               ADHD.
 Risks, harm, cost          The major risk is misdiagnosing the comorbid condition(s) and providing inappropriate care.
 Benefit-harm                There is a preponderance of benefits over harm.
    assessment
 Intentional vagueness      None.
 Role of patient            None.
    preferences
 Exclusions                 None.
 Strength                   Strong recommendation.
 Key references             Cuffe et al51; Pastor and Reuben52; Bieiderman et al53; Bieiderman et al54; Bieiderman et al72; Crabtree et al57; LeBourgeois et al58;
                               Chan115; Newcorn et al60; Sung et al61; Larson et al66; Mahajan et al65; Antshel et al64; Rothenberger and Roessner63; Froehlich et al62

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PEDIATRICS Volume 144, number 4, October 2019                                                                                                                             9
TABLE 5 KAS 4: ADHD is a chronic condition; therefore, the PCC should manage children and adolescents with ADHD in the same manner that they would
        children and youth with special health care needs, following the principles of the chronic care model and the medical home. (Grade B: strong
        recommendation.)
 Aggregate evidence quality                                                                 Grade B
 Benefits                      The recommendation describes the coordinated services that are most appropriate to manage the condition.
 Risks, harm, cost            Providing these services may be more costly.
 Benefit-harm assessment       There is a preponderance of benefits over harm.
 Intentional vagueness        None.
 Role of patient              Family preference in how these services are provided is an important consideration, because it can increase adherence.
    preferences
 Exclusions                   None
 Strength                     Strong recommendation.
 Key references               Brito et al69; Biederman et al72; Scheffler et al74; Barbaresi et al75; Chang et al71; Chang et al78; Lichtenstein et al77; Harstad and
                                 Levy80

comorbidity, particularly substance                     Recommendations for the Treatment                         6 years against the harm of delaying
use disorders.71,72 They also have                      of Children and Adolescents With                          treatment (Table 6). (Grade B: strong
lower educational achievement than                      ADHD: KAS 5a, 5b, and 5c                                  recommendation.)
those without ADHD73,74 and                             Recommendations vary depending on
increased rates of incarceration.75–77                  the patient’s age and are presented                       A number of special circumstances
Treatment discontinuation also                          for the following age ranges:                             support the recommendation to
places individuals with ADHD at                                                                                   initiate PTBM as the first treatment
                                                        a. preschool-aged children: age                           of preschool-aged children (age
higher risk for catastrophic
                                                           4 years to the sixth birthday;                         4 years to the sixth birthday) with
outcomes, such as motor vehicle
crashes78,79; criminality, including                    b. elementary and middle                                  ADHD.25,83 Although it was limited to
drug-related crimes77 and violent                          school–aged children: age 6 years                      children who had moderate-to-
reoffending76; depression71;                               to the 12th birthday; and                              severe dysfunction, the largest
interpersonal issues80; and other                       c. adolescents: age 12 years to the                       multisite study of methylphenidate
injuries.81,82                                             18th birthday.                                         use in preschool-aged children
                                                                                                                  revealed symptom improvements
                                                        The KASs are presented, followed by                       after PTBM alone.83 The overall
To continue providing the best care, it
                                                        information on medication,                                evidence for PTBM among
is important for a treating
                                                        psychosocial treatments, and special                      preschoolers is strong.
pediatrician or other PCC to engage in
                                                        circumstances.
bidirectional communication with
teachers and other school personnel                                                                               PTBM programs for preschool-aged
as well as mental health clinicians                     KAS 5a                                                    children are typically group programs
involved in the child or adolescent’s                   For preschool-aged children (age                          and, although they are not always
care. This communication can be                         4 years to the sixth birthday) with                       paid for by health insurance, they
difficult to achieve and is discussed in                 ADHD, the PCC should prescribe                            may be relatively low cost. One
both the PoCA and the section on                        evidence-based behavioral PTBM                            evidence-based PTBM, parent-child
systemic barriers to the care of                        and/or behavioral classroom                               interaction therapy, is a dyadic
children and adolescents with ADHD                      interventions as the first line of                         therapy for parent and child. The
in the Supplemental Information, as is                  treatment, if available (grade A:                         PoCA contains criteria for the
the medical home model.69                               strong recommendation).                                   clinician’s use to assess the quality of
                                                        Methylphenidate may be considered                         PTBM programs. If the child attends
                                                        if these behavioral interventions do                      preschool, behavioral classroom
Special Circumstances: Inattention                      not provide significant improvement                        interventions are also recommended.
or Hyperactivity/Impulsivity                            and there is moderate-to-severe                           In addition, preschool programs (such
(Problem Level)                                         continued disturbance in the 4-                           as Head Start) and ADHD-focused
Children with inattention or                            through 5-year-old child’s                                organizations (such as CHADD84) can
hyperactivity/impulsivity at the                        functioning. In areas in which                            also provide behavioral supports. The
problem level, as well as their                         evidence-based behavioral                                 issues related to referral, payment,
families, may also benefit from the                      treatments are not available, the                         and communication are discussed in
chronic illness and medical home                        clinician needs to weigh the risks of                     the section on systemic barriers in
principles.                                             starting medication before the age of                     the Supplemental Information.

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10                                                                                                       FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
TABLE 6 KAS 5a: For preschool-aged children (age 4 years to the sixth birthday) with ADHD, the PCC should prescribe evidence-based behavioral PTBM
         and/or behavioral classroom interventions as the first line of treatment, if available (grade A: strong recommendation). Methylphenidate may be
         considered if these behavioral interventions do not provide significant improvement and there is moderate-to-severe continued disturbance in
         the 4- through 5-year-old child’s functioning. In areas in which evidence-based behavioral treatments are not available, the clinician needs to
         weigh the risks of starting medication before the age of 6 years against the harm of delaying treatment (grade B: strong recommendation).
 Aggregate evidence                                                Grade A for PTBM; Grade B for methylphenidate
 quality
 Benefits                  Given the risks of untreated ADHD, the benefits outweigh the risks.
 Risks, harm, cost        Both therapies increase the cost of care; PTBM requires a high level of family involvement, whereas methylphenidate has some
                             potential adverse effects.
 Benefit-harm              Both PTBM and methylphenidate have relatively low risks; initiating treatment at an early age, before children experience repeated
    assessment               failure, has additional benefits. Thus, the benefits outweigh the risks.
 Intentional vagueness    None.
 Role of patient          Family preference is essential in determining the treatment plan.
    preferences
 Exclusions               None.
 Strength                 Strong recommendation.
 Key references           Greenhill et al83; Evans et al25

In areas in which evidence-based                       The evidence is particularly strong for              it is best to introduce components at
behavioral treatments are not                          stimulant medications; it is sufficient,              the start of high school, at about
available, the clinician needs to                      but not as strong, for atomoxetine,                  14 years of age, and specifically focus
weigh the risks of starting                            extended-release guanfacine, and                     during the 2 years preceding high
methylphenidate before the age                         extended-release clonidine, in that                  school completion.
of 6 years against the harm of                         order (see the Treatment section, and
delaying diagnosis and treatment.                      see the PoCA for more information on                 Psychosocial Treatments
Other stimulant or nonstimulant                        implementation).                                     Some psychosocial treatments for
medications have not been                                                                                   children and adolescents with ADHD
adequately studied in children in                      KAS 5c                                               have been demonstrated to be
this age group with ADHD.                              For adolescents (age 12 years to the                 effective for the treatment of ADHD,
                                                       18th birthday) with ADHD, the PCC                    including behavioral therapy and
KAS 5b                                                 should prescribe FDA-approved                        training interventions.24–26,85 The
For elementary and middle                              medications for ADHD with the                        diversity of interventions and
school–aged children (age 6 years to                   adolescent’s assent (grade A: strong                 outcome measures makes it
the 12th birthday) with ADHD, the                      recommendation). The PCC is                          challenging to assess a meta-analysis
PCC should prescribe US Food and                       encouraged to prescribe evidence-                    of psychosocial treatment’s effects
Drug Administration (FDA)–approved                     based training interventions and/or                  alone or in association with
medications for ADHD, along with                       behavioral interventions as treatment                medication treatment. As with
PTBM and/or behavioral classroom                       of ADHD, if available. Educational                   medication treatment, the long-term
intervention (preferably both PTBM                     interventions and individualized                     positive effects of psychosocial
and behavioral classroom interven-                     instructional supports, including                    treatments have yet to be determined.
tions). Educational interventions                      school environment, class                            Nonetheless, ongoing adherence
and individualized instructional                       placement, instructional placement,                  to psychosocial treatment is
supports, including school environment,                and behavioral supports, are                         a key contributor to its beneficial
class placement, instructional                         a necessary part of any treatment                    effects, making implementation of
placement, and behavioral supports,                    plan and often include an IEP or                     a chronic care model for child health
are a necessary part of any                            a rehabilitation plan (504 plan)                     important to ensure sustained
treatment plan and often include an                    (Table 8). (Grade A: strong                          adherence.86
Individualized Education Program                       recommendation.)                                     Behavioral therapy involves training
(IEP) or a rehabilitation plan (504                    Transition to adult care is an                       adults to influence the contingencies
plan) (Table 7). (Grade A: strong                      important component of the chronic                   in an environment to improve the
recommendation for medications;                        care model for ADHD. Planning for                    behavior of a child or adolescent in
grade A: strong recommendation for                     the transition to adult care is an                   that setting. It can help parents and
PTBM training and behavioral                           ongoing process that may culminate                   school personnel learn how to
treatments for ADHD implemented                        after high school or, perhaps, after                 effectively prevent and respond to
with the family and school.)                           college. To foster a smooth transition,              adolescent behaviors such as

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PEDIATRICS Volume 144, number 4, October 2019                                                                                                              11
TABLE 7 KAS 5b: For elementary and middle school–aged children (age 6 years to the 12th birthday) with ADHD, the PCC should prescribe US Food and
           Drug Administration (FDA)–approved medications for ADHD, along with PTBM and/or behavioral classroom intervention (preferably both PTBM
           and behavioral classroom interventions). Educational interventions and individualized instructional supports, including school environment,
           class placement, instructional placement, and behavioral supports, are a necessary part of any treatment plan and often include an
           Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a rehabilitation plan (504 plan). (Grade A: strong recommendation for medications; grade A: strong
           recommendation for PTBM training and behavioral treatments for ADHD implemented with the family and school.)
 Aggregate evidence         Grade A for Treatment with FDA-Approved Medications; Grade A for Training and Behavioral Treatments for ADHD With the Family and
 quality                                                                                School.
 Benefits                    Both behavioral therapy and FDA-approved medications have been shown to reduce behaviors associated with ADHD and to improve
                               function.
 Risks, harm, cost          Both therapies increase the cost of care. Psychosocial therapy requires a high level of family and/or school involvement and may lead
                               to increased family conflict, especially if treatment is not successfully completed. FDA-approved medications may have some
                               adverse effects and discontinuation of medication is common among adolescents.
 Benefit-harm                Given the risks of untreated ADHD, the benefits outweigh the risks.
    assessment
 Intentional vagueness      None.
 Role of patient            Family preference, including patient preference, is essential in determining the treatment plan and enhancing adherence.
    preferences
 Exclusions                 None.
 Strength                   Strong recommendation.
 Key references             Evans et al25; Barbaresi et al73; Jain et al103; Brown and Bishop104; Kambeitz et al105; Bruxel et al106; Kieling et al107; Froehlich et al108;
                               Joensen et al109

interrupting, aggression, not                             symptoms. The positive effects of                           setting. Less research has been
completing tasks, and not complying                       behavioral therapies tend to persist,                       conducted on training interventions
with requests. Behavioral parent and                      but the positive effects of medication                      compared to behavioral treatments;
classroom training are well-                              cease when medication stops.                                nonetheless, training interventions
established treatments with                               Optimal care is likely to occur when                        are well-established treatments to
preadolescent children.25,87,88 Most                      both therapies are used, but the                            target disorganization of materials
studies comparing behavior therapy                        decision about therapies is heavily                         and time that are exhibited by
to stimulants indicate that stimulants                    dependent on acceptability by, and                          most youth with ADHD; it is likely
have a stronger immediate effect on                       feasibility for, the family.                                that they will benefit younger
the 18 core symptoms of ADHD.                             Training interventions target skill                         children, as well.25,89 Some training
Parents, however, were more satisfied                      development and involve repeated                            interventions, including social
with the effect of behavioral therapy,                    practice with performance feedback                          skills training, have not been shown
which addresses symptoms and                              over time, rather than modifying                            to be effective for children with
functions in addition to ADHD’s core                      behavioral contingencies in a specific                       ADHD.25

TABLE 8 KAS 5c: For adolescents (age 12 years to the 18th birthday) with ADHD, the PCC should prescribe FDA-approved medications for ADHD with the
           adolescent’s assent (grade A: strong recommendation). The PCC is encouraged to prescribe evidence-based training interventions and/or
           behavioral interventions as treatment of ADHD, if available. Educational interventions and individualized instructional supports, including school
           environment, class placement, instructional placement, and behavioral supports, are a necessary part of any treatment plan and often include
           an IEP or a rehabilitation plan (504 plan). (Grade A: strong recommendation.)
 Aggregate evidence                                          Grade A for Medications; Grade A for Training and Behavioral Therapy
 quality
 Benefits                    Training interventions, behavioral therapy, and FDA-approved medications have been demonstrated to reduce behaviors associated
                               with ADHD and to improve function.
 Risks, harm, cost          Both therapies increase the cost of care. Psychosocial therapy requires a high level of family and/or school involvement and may lead
                               to unintended increased family conflict, especially if treatment is not successfully completed. FDA-approved medications may have
                               some adverse effects, and discontinuation of medication is common among adolescents.
 Benefit-harm                Given the risks of untreated ADHD, the benefits outweigh the risks.
    assessment
 Intentional vagueness      None.
 Role of patient            Family preference, including patient preference, is likely to predict engagement and persistence with a treatment.
    preferences
 Exclusions                 None.
 Strength                   Strong recommendation.
 Key references             Evans et al25; Webster-Stratton et al87; Evans et al95; Fabiano et al93; Sibley and Graziano et al94; Langberg et al96; Schultz et al97; Brown
                               and Bishop104; Kambeitz et al105; Bruxel et al106; Froehlich et al108; Joensen et al109

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12                                                                                                        FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
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