The Revised Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (II): Diagnosis and Assessment

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent, impairing, and comorbid disorder that persists into adulthood. ADHD should be diagnosed in the same manner as other common adult mental health disorders. The three most important components in the comprehensive evaluation of patients with ADHD are the clinical interview, medical examination, and completion and scoring of behavior rating scales. The diagnostic evaluation of ADHD should include questions about the symptoms, family history, prior evaluation and treatment of ADHD, as well as other problems including alcohol and drug use. Screening interviews or rating scales, as well as interviews, should be used. When it is feasible, clinicians may wish to supplement these components of the evaluation with the objective assessments of the ADHD symptoms, such as through psychological tests. These tests are not essential to reaching a diagnosis, however, or to treatment planning, but may yield further information about the presence and severity of cognitive impairments that could be associated with some cases of ADHD. As comorbidity is the rule rather than the exception, clinicians should carefully screen for comorbid disorders as part of a comprehensive assessment of ADHD. To receive a diagnosis of ADHD, the person must be experiencing significant distress or impairment in his or her daily functioning, and must not meet the criteria for other mental disorders which might better account for the observed symptoms, such as mental retardation, autism or other pervasive developmental disorders, mood disorders and anxiety disorders. This report aims to suggest practice guidelines for the assessment and diagnosis of children, adolescents and adults with ADHD in Korea.

The Revised Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (IV): Non-Pharmacologic Treatment

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that begins in early childhood and can persist throughout adulthood. ADHD causes difficulties in various area of life, such as academic achievement, peer relationships, family functioning, employment and marriage. Although ADHD is known to respond well to medication, such treatment is more effective when combined with psychosocial (non-pharmacologic) therapy in terms of alleviating the core symptoms and improving appropriate functions. Psychosocial treatment interventions are divided into psychoeducation, behavioral parent training, school intervention, cognitive behavior therapy, social skill training, parent-child interaction therapy, play therapy, other treatments (coaching, complementary and alternative medicine), neurofeedback and Cogmed. Adult ADHD cognitive behavioral therapy is described separately. These practice parameters summarize the evidence for psychosocial treatment. Based on this evidence, specific recommendations are provided for psychosocial interventions.

The Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(I): Introduction, Clinical Features and Course

Based on the broad and in-depth literature review, the dedicated members of the committee for the development of Korean attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) practice parameter develop the Korean practice parameter for ADHD. Members of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry(KACAP) had reviewed the drafts through off-line and on-line access to the drafts. Feedbacks from the members of KACAP were carefully integrated into the current practice parameter. This article presents the state of the art knowledge regarding the assessment and the management of ADHD. Recommendations in the end of the practice parameter may help clinician to make decisions in clinical practice, but are not likely to override the clinician's decision in natural settings. Future directions to complement the limitation of the current practice parameter is suggested.

The Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(II): Diagnosis and Assessment

Probably the three most important components to a comprehensive evaluation of patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) are the clinical interview, the medical examination, and the completion and scoring of behavior rating scales. Teachers and other school personnel are often the first to recognize that a child or adolescent might have ADHD, and often play an important role in the help-seeking/referral process. A diagnostic evaluation for ADHD should include questions about ADHD symptoms, other problems including alcohol and drug use, family history of ADHD, prior evaluation and treatment for ADHD. Screening interview or rating scales as well as interviews should be used. When it is feasible, clinicians may wish to supplement these components of the evaluation with objective assessments of the ADHD symptoms, such as psychological tests. These tests are not essential to reaching a diagnosis, however, or to treatment planning, but they may yield further information about the presence and severity of cognitive impairments that could be associated with some cases of ADHD. Screening for intellectual ability and academic achievement skills is also important in determining the presence of comorbid developmental delay or learning disabilities. The number and type of symptoms required for a diagnosis of ADHD vary depending on the specific subtype. To receive a diagnosis of ADHD, the person must be experiencing significant distress or impairment in daily functioning, and must not meet criteria for other mental disorders which might better account for the observed symptoms such as mental retardation, autism or other pervasive developmental disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders. This report aims to suggest a practice guideline of assessment and diagnosis for children and adolescents with ADHD in Korea.

The Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(III): Pharmacologic Treatment

The objective of this review is to propose the Korean practice guideline for pharmacological treatment of attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD). For making the guideline, the authors used the evidence-base approaches derived from a detailed review of literature including wide range of controlled clinical trials, studies of side effects of drugs, toxicological reports, and meta-analyses published in United States and Europe, as well as inside Korea. The review committee composed of experts in ADHD in Korea has reviewed the parameter. The practice parameter for pharmacological treatment describes the use of stimulants, atomoxetine, modafinil, bupropion, tricyclic antidepressants, and alpha-adrenergic agonists and their side effects. The recommendations of pharmacological treatment are proposed at the end of the article.

The Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(IV): Non-Pharmacologic Treatment

This practice parameter for non-pharmacological treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) review the domestic and international literature on the psychosocial treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD. This parameter include the parental training & education, cognitive behavior therapy(group or individual), social skill training, family therapy, play therapy(individual psychotherapy) and non-traditional therapy(art therapy, herbal therapy et al). Among them, there is some proven evidence only in parental training & education and cognitive behavior therapy. So, this parameter describes some details only in the field of parental training & education and cognitive behavior therapy. The efficacy or effectiveness, especially, cost-effectiveness of specific psychosocial treatment method for ADHD cannot be fairly assessed due to the scarcity of controlled clinical data. Based on the clinical expert consensus and limited evidence, we cautiously suggest the practice recommendations about the non-pharmacological psychosocial treatment for children and adolescents with ADHD.

The Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Development and Implications

The new research data and rapid development of psychotropic drugs over the past few years have warranted the development of clinical practice guidelines for managing pervasive developmental disorder(PDD). These guidelines are urgently needed due to the recent changes in social circumstances and clinical situations in Korea. Despite the many limitations and problems surrounding the development of these guidelines, the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry(KACAP) has decided to develop the Korean Practice Parameters for the Treatment of PDD. The goal, basic principles, organization, and implications of this development project are introduced in this special paper. We expect these practice parameters to be a useful reference not only for child psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals in clinical practice, but also for the autistic patients themselves and their caregivers. The practice parameters shall be revised and improved in the near future.

The Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Clinical Manifestation, Epidemiology, Course, Causes, and Comorbidity

Pervasive developmental disorders are characterized by lifelong impairments in fundamental social and/or communication skills and by the presence of seemingly purposeless and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities. A number of possible biological etiologies, including genetic, structural and functional brain abnormalities, have been identified in patients with pervasive developmental disorders. In addition, clinicians should take the possibility of comorbid psychiatric conditions into consideration when making the differential diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorders.

The Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Diagnosis and Assessment

Multiple areas of development are affected in pervasive developmental disorders(PDD), and assessments of various aspects of behavior and development are essential for diagnosis. The object of this review is to provide the practical guidelines for the assessment of core features of PDD, including abnormalities in communication, social interaction, and repetitive and stereotyped behavior. It covers the issues of differential diagnosis within and outside the PDD category, standardized diagnostic tools, assessment of intellectual and language functions, and the early diagnosis of PDD in infancy. This guideline also stresses the process of medical and neurological evaluation for proper diagnosis of PDD.

The Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Pharmacological Treatment

The objective of this review is to establish practice parameters for pharmacological treatment of children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorders. We performed a detailed review of the literature, including a wide range of controlled clinical trials, open trials, case reports, and side-effect profiles of related drugs. Few medications have a treatment indication for pervasive developmental disorders, and few studies with well-controlled methodology are available for evaluating treatment results. Pharmacological treatments focus on associated target symptoms because symptom reduction may improve educational and social ability and enhance quality of life. Well-controlled trials have been conducted for some SSRI(selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants, risperidone, and methylphenidate, and showed reduction of some target symptoms. Since the medications are not specific to autism and do not treat core symptoms of the disorder, their potential side effects should be carefully considered. Family education is necessary to give proper information on target symptoms, limitation of drug treatments, and risks.

The Korean Practice Parameter for the Treatment of Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Non-Pharmacological Treatment

Practice parameters for non-pharmacological treatment of children and adolescents with pervasive developmental disorders are based on the scientific literature for evidence-based practices. Appropriate educational and behavioral interventions are important in improving the long-term outcome in pervasive developmental disorders. Early and sustained intervention appears to be particularly important. The goal for interventions is to gain pragmatic skills for verbal communication, playing with peers, daily living routines, self-management, and social adaptation. Appropriate involvement and collaboration with parents and family are essential for well-functioning intervention programs. The life-long nature of autism implies that the clinician should maintain an active role in long-term treatment planning and family support. Vocational training and training for more independent living are important for adolescents with autism. Professionals should be knowledgeable about local and national resources and opportunities for family support as well as support of the individual.