NCID has submitted a response to the NHMRC's draft Clinical Practice Points on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents.
In our submission NCID highlights that the Practice Points do not mention Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, in our view this is a major oversight.
"In Section 1.4 Could Hyperactive, Inattentive and Impulsive Behaviours be explained by something other than ADHD the document clearly identifies a range of possible other underlying causes and reasons for a child to be presenting with the signs and symptoms of ADHD. This is of critical importance to clinicians in both determining an accurate “diagnosis” and assessment of ADHD and most particularly in recommending the most appropriate course of action to assist the child and support the family. Correctly, throughout the CPP identifies the importance of engaging with the family in determining what may be other social, economic and emotional factors impacting on the presenting behaviour of the child. Your table gives a number of examples of other possible underlying causes or co-morbidities.
The Draft CPP however, makes no mention of one of the most significant underlying causes for children presenting with behaviours symptomatic of ADHD being Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)."
For a copy of our submission 
NHMRC Submission (135.95 kB)
For more in formation on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder click here
