EBP Compendium: Summary of Clinical Practice Guideline

Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement
Diagnosis and Management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Primary Care for School Age Children and Adolescents
Moore, K., Donald, W. B., et al. (2007).
Bloomington (MN): Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement, 69 pages.

AGREE Rating: Recommended with Provisos

Description:

This guideline provides recommendations for the care of children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The audiences intended for this review include health professionals, healthcare organizations, medical societies, researchers, and policy makers.

Recommendations:

• Assessment/Diagnosis
  • Assessment Areas
    • Cognition - Assessment of co-morbidities include evaluation for speech and language problems, social skills problems and cognitive deficits.
    • Language
      • "If screening indicates concerns about a child's speech and/or language, including expressive and receptive language, speech fluency, pragmatic language, prosody, or phonology/articulation, a referral should be made to a pediatric speech and language pathologist" (p. 22).
      • Assessment of co-morbidities include evaluation for speech and language problems, social skills problems and cognitive deficits.
    • Voice
      • Children with ADHD are at higher risk for vocal chord abuse.
      • Children presenting with voice problems should be evaluated.
      • Referral to an otolaryngologist is recommended.
• Treatment
• Cognition
  • General Findings - Cognitive-behavioral therapy may be warranted to improve problem solving skills, study skills and organizational skills.
• Language
• Social Skills
• Difficulties with social skills are often present in children with ADHD.
• Social skills training may be warranted to improve peer relationships. 

Keywords: ADHD

Access the Guideline

Added to Compendium: November 2010