Long-awaited clinical guidelines on the identification, diagnosis and treatment of people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Australia have finally been endorsed.
It has taken two years of clinicians, researchers and people with lived experience collaborating on the evidence-based guidelines to get to this point.
Released by the Australian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA), it's hoped an estimated 1 million Australians who have been diagnosed with ADHD will benefit from the uniformity of support and treatment offered in the 111 recommendations.
OK, but why are these guidelines important?
It's a clearer way forward for health professionals and individuals living with ADHD across the country to be better supported over the course of their lives.
The guidelines focus on empowering Australians with knowledge about their diagnosis and how they can thrive.
Unlike other countries, Australia hasn't had any ADHD guidelines for clinicians to refer to.
That means even identifying the possibility of a diagnosis or adequately supporting a person has often been complicated and confusing.
Why should I care about this?
As a lifelong neurological disorder and disability, ADHD has a deep and profound impact on those who are diagnosed, also on their families and loved ones.
The most common symptoms include inattention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity, which can impact a child or an adult's ability to succeed in all aspects of their lives.
Because the guidelines emphasise the importance of giving the community guidance and support in understanding ADHD, they're also relevant for many other people, including parents, teachers and employers.
What were some key takeaways from the guidelines?
The 111 recommendations were wide-ranging: from the use of medications, family support and a need for further research. Here are just a few of interest:
- Parents and carers of children with ADHD should be offered training and support when a child is diagnosed
- People diagnosed with ADHD should have access to the NDIS
- There needs to be a greater focus on supporting students with ADHD in school and tertiary settings
- There should be greater involvement of GPs in the identification, diagnosis and treatment of the disorder
- Children should be given clear pathways for treatment and support into adolescence and, eventually, adulthood
- ADHD medication should be monitored on an ongoing basis
- There should also be a focus on non-medical interventions, such as lifestyle changes
- More knowledge is needed to better understand and detect ADHD in girls and women.
Ok, so what now?
The increase in awareness of ADHD in Australia in recent times has led to more interest in exploring a diagnosis.
An increase in diagnosis for young children and adolescents as well as adults means that the life trajectory for many Australians will look much brighter.
However, it's important that clinicians, educators, policymakers, carers and society at large are brought along on the journey in figuring out how best to put the recommendations into practice.
In some cases, that might mean more research, funding and awareness of how harmful stigmas can stop us moving forward.
"There's still a lot of work to be done, but we've already started and we know the next steps we need to take," says Professor Mark Bellgrove, the president of AADPA.
