INDICATIONS AND THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER. NATIONAL CONSENSUS CONFERENCE

Key words: ADHD, Consensus Conference, Clinical evidence, Practice guidelines, Child

A National Consensus Conference was held in Cagliari (Sardinia) on March 6-7, 2003, promoted by the “Mario Negri” Research Institute of Milan and the University of Cagliari, Department of Neurosciences. The conference was aimed at up-dating the available evidence, practices, and needs concerning the diagnosis, treatment and management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. The final document was approved by several scientific societies as well as by family associations. The following recommendations were made: • the diagnosis of ADHD and other disorders with similar symptoms should be made by child and adolescent mental health professionals: parents, teachers and family paediatricians should be involved from the very beginning; • the treatment plan should provide advice and assistance for parents and teachers and specific psychological interventions. The pharmacological treatment should be introduced only when indicated by a child neurologist/neuropsychiatrist, in agreement with the criteria accepted by the international community, and should take into consideration the social and psychological background of the child and his/her family. The child neuropsychiatrist should also co-ordinate and monitor the child’s treatment plan with the other care-providers and the child’s family; • in order to implement common diagnostic procedures for the disorder and to promote adequate care plans for children with ADHD and their families, a specific national programme should be developed.