ADHD drug management
March 25, 2013
IMPROVEMENTS in quality of life
for children diagnosed with ADHD
should drive clinical decision-making
related to the condition,
according to a panel of experts
convened for the recent Clinical
Insights panel discussion in Sydney.
“In some ways there has been an
over-emphasis on ‘correcting’
symptoms or ‘fixing’ the condition
when what is really required is a
collaborative approach from all the
key people in a young person's life
towards helping them adapt and
progress. It requires acceptance of
the condition, compassion and
genuine care for the affected
children to focus on those
important future outcomes,” said
Queensland paediatrician Associate
Professor Michael McDowell.
“The debate on whether
medication is 'good' or 'bad is
particularly unhelpful.
“The more important question is
how best to use medications, when
they are necessary, to assist
children towards achieving
personal best development and
well-being,” he added.
Meanwhile, speaking on the
subject of medication, Dr Caroline
Stevenson, Clinical Psychologist
from Macquarie University, said
that education around the role of
stimulants was important in
confirming better outcomes in the
future.
“A lot of my discussions with
families are around the benefits of
medication and discussing with
families the potential benefits of
trying medication as part of the
overall management program,
which for example, may include
coaching or counseling,” Stevenson
said.
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