Introduction to ADHD in Preschoolers
A new study published on Friday showed that small children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, are often prescribed medication too quickly. The study, under the direction of Stanford Medicine, examined the medical records of almost 10,000 preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years between 2016 and 2023 who were diagnosed with ADHD.
Characteristics of ADHD
ADHD is a disturbance characterized by difficulties in paying attention or hyperactivity. This is like children who still have a hard time sitting and have a lot of energy. According to Jamie Howard, a clinical psychologist with the Child Mind Institute, clinical guidelines require "behavior intervention" in the treatment of ADHD in small children. Howard said that they always want to start with the lowest possible damage, and it hurts very little to carry out behavior intervention.
Prescription of Medication
In the Stanford study, it was found that about 68% of the children diagnosed with ADHD were prescribed medication before the age of 7, mostly stimulants such as Ritalin, which can help children concentrate their attention and regulate their emotions. The curve of medication often came quickly, with about 42% of the children diagnosed with ADHD being prescribed medication within 30 days of the diagnosis.
Concerns About Medication
There are concerns about the toxicity of the medication for 4- and 5-year-olds, but there is a high probability of treatment failure because many families weigh the side effects against the advantages. According to Dr. Yair Bannett, assistant professor of pediatrics at Stanford Medicine and the leading author of the study, these side effects can include irritability, aggressiveness, and emotional problems.
Conclusion and Further Investigation
The high rate of medication prescriptions in preschool-age children with ADHD and the lack of delay between initial diagnosis and prescription examination require further investigations to evaluate the appropriateness of early medication treatment. The study also showed that the vast majority of small children diagnosed with ADHD were boys, about 76%. Howard emphasized that people often have a connection with ADHD and stimulant medication, but there is actually much more to it, and they want to give children the opportunity to apply other strategies first, and if they need medication, it can be incredibly helpful for many children.
