The newly released ADHD Guideline outlines a roadmap for ADHD clinical practice, research and policy, with a focus on everyday functioning for those with ADHD and their supports.
A collaboration by clinicians, researchers and people living with ADHD, the ADHD Guideline has been released by the Australian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA). It provides people with ADHD, their families and carers, health practitioners, educators, policy makers, researchers and communities with 132 recommendations, specifically tailored to the Australian context.
Professor Katrina Williams, Director of Research, Monash Children’s Hospital, Co-Chaired the Guideline Development Group, bringing her expertise in paediatric neurodevelopment conditions.
Prof Williams says the ADHD Guideline provides recommendations that are based on evidence, or agreed upon by an interdisciplinary panel including consumers.
It is hoped that the ADHD Guideline will promote accurate and timely diagnosis, and provide guidance on optimal and consistent assessment and treatment of ADHD.
“We have the opportunity to improve consistency of care if recommendations are followed,” says Prof Williams.
“They (clinicians) can be reassured that if they follow the recommendations their clinical care is in line with accepted approaches.”
Key takeaways from the ADHD Guideline identified by Prof Williams include:
- recommendations consider and provide for specific age groups
- recommendations remind clinicians of the different types of presentations for ADHD
- pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions can assist individuals with ADHD – some have evidence for symptom reduction, others to improve key aspects of a person’s life
- all recommendations are to be offered to individuals, and each individual (or their parents, in the case of children) will make decisions about what is appropriate for them from the possibilities recommended
- even after many years of research there are important evidence gaps that need to be filled
- best care will need to be delivered in the context of current services, with anticipated knock-on effects from the recommendations to make sure services that are needed are available.
The ADHD Guideline is based on the highest quality scientific evidence available, but acknowledges the need, and calls for, continued research in the field.
You can download a copy of the ADHD Guideline by visiting the website.
Approved by Anand Ponniraivan
Pictured: Professor Katrina Williams, ADHD Guideline Co-Chair