A major US study has found that many young children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are prescribed medication far sooner than medical guidelines recommend. The analysis of more than 9,700 children, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed that 42% of four- and five-year-olds were given ADHD medication within a month of diagnosis, despite official advice to begin with six months of behavioural therapy.
Guidelines emphasise that early behavioural treatment can have “a big positive effect on the child as well as on the family,” according to Dr Yair Bannett, lead author and assistant professor of paediatrics at Stanford University. While medications such as Ritalin or Concerta can reduce symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention, behavioural therapy helps children build long-term coping skills.
Experts note that limited access to behavioural programmes may drive the over-reliance on medication. Although the drugs are considered safe for young children, side effects such as irritability and aggression often lead families to stop treatment. ADHD affects around 11% of US children aged three to 17, and while both therapy and medication can play a role in managing symptoms, specialists stress that medication should not be the first step for preschool-aged children.
