Bradley experts provide guidance on medication

EAST PROVIDENCE – Experts from the Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center have joined colleagues from 11 other institutions to develop recommendations for clinicians considering psychotropic medications for children ages 3 to 6.
The Preschool Psychopharmacology Working Group developed its guidelines in response to a rise in the number of preschool-age children being treated with stimulants, antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs – despite limited knowledge of when it’s appropriate.
The group, which includes clinicians and researchers in early childhood psychiatric disorders, psychopharmacology, general and behavioral pediatrics, neurodevelopmental processes, and clinical psychology, published its advice in the December issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Dr. Mary Margaret Gleason, of the Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center, said the goal is to “begin to close the gap between practice and evidence” by clearly defining what is known about these treatments with children and “encouraging judicious practice.”