Pediatricians Stand By Meds For ADHD, But Some Say Therapy Should Come First
When children are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, stimulant medications like Ritalin or Adderall are usually the first line of treatment.
The American Academy of Pediatrics issued new guidelines on Monday that uphold the central role of medication, accompanied by behavioral therapy, in ADHD treatment.
However, some parents, doctors and researchers who study kids with ADHD say they are disappointed that the new guidelines don't recommend behavioral treatment first for more children, as some recent research has suggested might lead to better outcomes.
When 6-year-old Brody Knapp of Kansas City, Mo., was diagnosed with ADHD last year, his father, Brett, was skeptical. Brett didn't want his son taking pills.
"You hear of losing your child's personality, and they become a shell of
