title: Attention deficits in school-aged children and adolescents. Current issues and practice.
abstract: Attention deficits in school-aged children and adolescents pose unique diagnostic and management challenges for the practitioner. While this symptom reflects a heterogeneous spectrum of disorders with varying etiologies, clinical manifestation, treatment needs, and outcomes, there are sufficient common attributes to enable identification and treatment. Accurate diagnosis relies on synthesis of information from history, rating scales, direct observations, and psychometric testing. Close attention must be paid to potential underlying or associated medical, processing, emotional, and psychosocial problems. Multimodal treatment is essential with close collaboration between the child, parents, and professionals. While there is a risk of negative outcomes if the symptoms are left unattended, many of these children also harbor strengths that need to be identified and nurtured.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Aylward
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009446:Neurobiology; D010290:Parents; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods*; D011594:Psychometrics; D013663:Teaching; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D008774:Methylphenidate