Improving diagnosis, care and support for ADHD

New guidance from NICE aims to improve recognition, diagnosis, quality of care and support for people with ADHD

Essential facts

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a group of behavioural symptoms including hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. Symptoms tend to be noticed at an early age and most cases are diagnosed when children are six to 12 years old.

Common coexisting conditions in children include disorders of mood, conduct, learning, motor control, anxiety disorders, and language and communication. It is thought that around 2% to 5% of school-age children may have ADHD, according to the NHS.

What’s new

ADHD is under-diagnosed in girls, says new guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

The guidance, which aims to improve recognition, diagnosis, quality of care and support for people with ADHD, says females are less