title: A decision tree and clinical paths for the assessment and management of children with ADHD.
abstract: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder. Children with ADHD are disproportionately represented in pediatric populations characterized by school failure, criminal behavior, and substance abuse. Many children who present with ADHD symptomatology do not receive systematic assessments nor comprehensive treatment that is well coordinated across home and school environments. And yet, evidence suggests that early detection and appropriate treatment can alter the probability of a negative developmental trajectory. The Decision Tree and Clinical Paths for Assessment and Management of ADHD identify the critical components of care through a stepwise decision-making process involving the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome evaluation of children who present with ADHD symptomatology. Preliminary field testing supports the clinical utility and validity of the ADHD Decision Tree/Paths. In addition, cross-validation comparisons indicate consistency between the ADHD Decision Tree/Paths and recently released ADHD clinical guidelines issued by several national professional organizations.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. magyary@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Magyary
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brandt
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000592:standards*; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D002666:Psychology, Child