ADHD Guidelines Issued for 4 and Up

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be diagnosed in children as young as age 4, according to new treatment guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The guidelines, released Sunday at the academy's annual meeting in Boston, provide instructions for pediatricians on diagnosing and managing ADHD in children 4 to 18. They say behavioral management techniques should be the first treatment approach for 

But they also suggest doctors consider prescribing methylphenidate, commonly known by the brand name Ritalin, in preschool-age children with moderate to severe symptoms when behavior interventions don't provide significant improvement.   Read Full