"The new guidelines are based on the wealth of scientific
information generated in ADHD over the last two decades," he
says. "The guidelines extend the age of diagnosis of ADHD
primarily so we can make a difference where it is most needed --
before school formally starts and before college and the work
force." In line with several studies published since the 2000
guidelines were published, the new recommendations that support
prescribint medication to kids 6 and olderr suggest that
medication be the first and potentially only intervention among
patients 12 and over, even though behavioral intervention is a
preferable but not required complement to stimulant drugs. It
boils down to how the guidelines are used, says Dr. William
Pelham, director of the Center for Children and Families at the
State University of New York at Buffalo. "I personally disagree
with, and the long-term data do not support, using medication as
the first line treatment. If every child who gets diagnosed
automatically gets medication, I wo