DARE Press Release on ADHD Guidlines
DARE PRESS RELEASE: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS REGARDING RELEASE OF ADHD GUIDELINES
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS REGARDING RELEASE OF ADHD GUIDELINES
The trustees and associates of DARE wish to express our concerns considering the information regarding the establishment of the ADHD Clinical Practice Panel that we only became aware of via the The Daily Telegraph and The Australian newspapers.
ADHD and Dyslexia frequently co-exist. Therefore the issuing of proper treatment guidelines is of vital importance to many of the families and adults with dyslexia that we advocate for.
We are concerned about the unjustified delay in publishing the Draft ADHD Guidelines. These guidelines were developed using scientific diligence. Further delay and committee or panel deliberations would only serve to cause those citizens who suffer from ADHD to miss out on needful treatment.
We are worried that the new panel will not adequately address the issues that affect people with ADHD. There is no mention of adult treatment in the terms of reference for the new panel. There is a significant and unwarranted stigma associated with this mental disorder. Due to deficiencies in diagnosis and access to services, many adults are not aware of their ADHD symptoms and need for treatment until far after they leave school. Since this condition is hereditary, many in fact, come for help after their children are diagnosed due to recognizing the similarities between their learning difficulties and those of their child/children. The symptoms would thus have been present since childhood even though the diagnosis of ADHD might have been made in adulthood. It is surely inequitable that adults would be deprived of the best treatment for their mental condition solely due to age of initial diagnosis. Such a prescribing policy is not applied to any other condition.
Untreated ADHD is the source of much academic underachievement, unemployment and low work productivity. It therefore is a significant financial burden to families, the community and business. It leads to decreased lifetime earning capacity and thus taxation revenue as well as adding to social security pressures. It also contributes to substance abuse and suicide.
We note that The Royal Australasian College of Physicians stated they would not be involved in leading a new working party dealing with ADHD since, in their opinion, the Draft Guidelines were thorough and well researched. In our capacity as advocates for those with dyslexia we would support the immediate release of the Draft Guidelines without watering down the advice within.
Antonia Canaris and Margaret Ellis Co-Trustees DARE 19th September 2011
For further information regarding DARE (Dyslexia Advocacy Resources and Education Charity Trust) write to contact @learninghelp.org.au or http://www.learninghelp.org.au
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS REGARDING RELEASE OF ADHD GUIDELINES
The trustees and associates of DARE wish to express our concerns considering the information regarding the establishment of the ADHD Clinical Practice Panel that we only became aware of via the The Daily Telegraph and The Australian newspapers.
ADHD and Dyslexia frequently co-exist. Therefore the issuing of proper treatment guidelines is of vital importance to many of the families and adults with dyslexia that we advocate for.
We are concerned about the unjustified delay in publishing the Draft ADHD Guidelines. These guidelines were developed using scientific diligence. Further delay and committee or panel deliberations would only serve to cause those citizens who suffer from ADHD to miss out on needful treatment.
We are worried that the new panel will not adequately address the issues that affect people with ADHD. There is no mention of adult treatment in the terms of reference for the new panel. There is a significant and unwarranted stigma associated with this mental disorder. Due to deficiencies in diagnosis and access to services, many adults are not aware of their ADHD symptoms and need for treatment until far after they leave school. Since this condition is hereditary, many in fact, come for help after their children are diagnosed due to recognizing the similarities between their learning difficulties and those of their child/children. The symptoms would thus have been present since childhood even though the diagnosis of ADHD might have been made in adulthood. It is surely inequitable that adults would be deprived of the best treatment for their mental condition solely due to age of initial diagnosis. Such a prescribing policy is not applied to any other condition.
Untreated ADHD is the source of much academic underachievement, unemployment and low work productivity. It therefore is a significant financial burden to families, the community and business. It leads to decreased lifetime earning capacity and thus taxation revenue as well as adding to social security pressures. It also contributes to substance abuse and suicide.
We note that The Royal Australasian College of Physicians stated they would not be involved in leading a new working party dealing with ADHD since, in their opinion, the Draft Guidelines were thorough and well researched. In our capacity as advocates for those with dyslexia we would support the immediate release of the Draft Guidelines without watering down the advice within.
Antonia Canaris and Margaret Ellis Co-Trustees DARE 19th September 2011
For further information regarding DARE (Dyslexia Advocacy Resources and Education Charity Trust) write to contact @learninghelp.org.au or http://www.learninghelp.org.au
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