ADHD Experts Convene to Discuss Appropriate Use of Therapies and Additional Needed Research as MAHA Report Examines "Overmedication" of Children

WASHINGTON, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As Trump officials map a Make America Healthy Again plan to tackle America's "chronic disease crisis," including many widely occurring neurological conditions, hundreds of the nation's top researchers, clinicians, advocates and patients met at the National Leadership Summit on the Appropriate Use of ADHD Treatments to tackle a similar question: How do we strike a balance for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to ensure effective management for the millions of Americans with ADHD, without either under- or over- diagnosing and treating them?

The first-of-its-kind cross-stakeholder convening, held in April and May, brought together experts to outline how people with ADHD can be better diagnosed and treated. The delegates recommended specific steps to ensure that those who need medication receive it while ensuring that those who do not require therapeutic interventions are not inadvertently over-diagnosed or prescribed.

"ADHD is a real medical condition that shows up differently in patients – often depending on whether they are adults or children, and whether they are male or female," said Summit Chief Science Officer Dr. Shanta Whitaker, a microbiologist and leading health policy expert. "With millions of American children and adults diagnosed with ADHD, we must work together to be sure that patients get the right type of diagnosis and care. We need to address the gaps in our system that can too frequently leave patients under- or over- diagnosed and treated."

Over the course of the summit, she said, it has become clear that:

• The diagnosis and effective management of ADHD requires expert, relevant clinical training. Today, not enough medical professionals have the specialized knowledge required to meet the needs of Americans with ADHD effectively.
• ADHD medications are not suitable for everyone, but they can be a critical and beneficial part of treatment for many individuals when used appropriately.
• Multimodal approaches to managing ADHD – including nutrition, sleep, and exercise -- should be taken seriously, and additional research is critical to align which approaches can be most beneficial for which types of patients.

As MAHA and other national and local policymakers take steps to address chronic disease in America, they must carefully consider ADHD treatment involving the appropriate use of ADHD medications. It will likewise be important for the stakeholder community to partner with policy leaders to advance appropriate treatment. "The ADHD community must work together with America's health policy leaders to get provider education, research, and public education right, and to ensure policy solutions are data-driven and patient-centered," Dr. Whitaker said.

In the coming weeks, leaders of the Summit are expected to issue a Consensus Statement summarizing recommendations for the nation's policymakers and the ADHD stakeholder community.

About
The National Leadership Summit on the Appropriate Use of ADHD Treatments brought together clinical experts, policy leaders, and individuals with lived experience for a three-part dynamic, solutions-focused conversation on the future of ADHD care. For more information, please visit adhdappropriateuse.org.

SOURCE National Leadership Summit on the Appropriate Use of ADHD Treatments