A major US study has found that paediatricians often prescribe medication too quickly to children as young as four or five who are newly diagnosed with ADHD, despite guidelines recommending six months of behavioural therapy first.
The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open and involving more than 9,700 children, revealed that 42% were given ADHD drugs within one month of diagnosis, while only 14% received them after the six-month behavioural therapy window. Lead author Dr Yair Bannett of Stanford University called the findings “concerning,” stressing that behavioural approaches can significantly benefit both children and families.
ADHD affects over 11% of US children aged three to 17, with symptoms typically appearing before age 12. While both behavioural therapy and medications such as Ritalin can be effective, guidelines urge therapy-first for preschool-aged children. Experts note that limited access to behavioural treatment may contribute to the high rate of early prescriptions.
Although the safety of ADHD medications is not in question, many children discontinue use due to side effects like irritability and aggression. Researchers caution that medication should not be seen as the sole solution for managing ADHD.
