Many Factors To Consider In Getting Treatment Right For ADHD

Main Category: ADHD
Also Included In: Psychology / Psychiatry;  Primary Care / General Practice;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 08 Oct 2008 - 4:00 PST

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The quality of a child's relationships and their diet are now known to be minor risk factors implicated in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Biological factors, including genetics, remain the most significant factor, however, so they must all be considered before treatment can begin.

"ADHD is rarely encountered as a pure, discrete disorder," says Professor Alasdair Vance from the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne. "That's why it is so important that children are properly assessed, so they can get the right support such as speech therapy, educational remediation and occupational therapy".

The first line treatment for ADHD continues to be psychosocial interventions alone, however, there is evidence that some children will do better when medicines are given in conjunction with comprehensive behavioural interventions. "Side effects also need to be well considered and understood," he says.

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Australian Prescriber is an independent review of therapeutics. It aims to provide short direct and didactic reviews on a range of topics which will assist the readers in their professional duties.

Australian Prescriber was first published in 1975. Australian health professionals had previously been sent the British Prescribers' Journal, but this had become less relevant to Australian practice. Australian Prescriber was published by the Australian Department of Health until the National Prescribing Service assumed responsibility for the journal in 2002. Past covers of the journal make a colourful display, marking the evolution of the journal since 1975.

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