A new US study has found that children as young as four and five are often prescribed ADHD medication immediately after diagnosis, despite guidelines recommending six months of behavioural therapy first. The analysis, published in JAMA Network Open, examined more than 9,700 children and found that 42.2% received medication within a month of being diagnosed, while only 14.1% started medication after six months or more.
Lead author Dr Yair Bannett, an assistant professor of paediatrics at Stanford University, described the findings as “concerning,” emphasizing that behavioural therapy benefits both children and families. ADHD, which affects around 11.4% of US children aged three to 17, can cause hyperactivity, inattentiveness, restlessness, and learning difficulties if untreated. Early behavioural intervention is seen as critical to helping children build coping skills and supporting long-term academic and social development.
While medications such as Ritalin and Concerta are generally safe for young children, side effects—including irritability, aggression, and emotional changes—often lead parents to stop treatment. Experts suggest that limited access to behavioural therapy may be driving the early reliance on drugs.
The study also highlights a stark contrast with Europe, where children are far less likely to receive ADHD medication compared with their North American peers. Researchers caution that the findings may not directly apply outside the US, but stress the importance of following treatment guidelines to ensure the best outcomes for young children.
