ValueOptions® Identifies Clinical Best Practices for Treating Children and Adolescents with Psychiatric Medication
Norfolk, Virginia — AUGUST 26, 2008
ValueOptions®, Inc., the nation's largest independent behavioral health care company, has developed a set of recommendations for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents who may need medication for a number of behavioral health issues, including anxiety, stress and mood disorders. The guidelines, in part, support non-medication interventions and the involvement of everyone from parent(s), teachers, pediatricians, child psychiatrists and others in the child’s treatment and recovery.
ValueOptions® endorses the following clinical guidelines for the use of psychiatric medications in children and adolescents based on its 30-year history in behavioral health care.
- Conducting a thorough assessment is the key step to formulating an evaluation and diagnosis as well as an appropriate treatment plan (which may include medication). Every child is unique and therefore each child should be assessed according to his or her unique situation and symptoms.
- A detailed assessment from the doctor should include input from multiple sources such as the parent(s), child, pediatrician, teachers and others. Family dynamics and the child’s behavior in different environments should be considered.
- In addition to the doctor’s involvement, it can be helpful to have a seasoned clinician (therapist/counselor) complement the assessment process by gathering additional information from the family.
- The age of the child is an important factor in deciding whether or not to prescribe psychiatric medication. There is less evidence for the use of medications in very young children. In general, at age four with severe symptoms, (where they are appearing in family, school, and community settings) it may be appropriate to consider medications.
- Non-medication interventions should be tried before medications (e.g. behavioral interventions, family counseling, school milieu changes, etc.), especially in younger children unless contraindicated.
- The risk-benefit ratio of psychiatric medications should be continually assessed and communicated to the child and family members. In short, the benefits must clearly outweigh the potential risks. It is important then that a medication regimen is an individualized process for each child, and that ongoing evaluation of the child’s treatment plan is conducted.
- The lowest possible dose of one or more medications for the shortest period of time should be a goal of treatment.
- It is important that a close collaboration exists between the pediatrician and child psychiatrist. A child psychiatrist (or psychiatrist with experience in the treatment of children and adolescents) should be involved for certain diagnoses, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other complex cases, even if the primary care doctor is involved.
- In addition to any necessary medications and counseling, other resources should be considered as part of the child’s treatment plan, including resources in school, social and community settings.
- ValueOptions® also supports strengths-based treatment plans, which build upon the child’s and family’s strengths, versus focusing on their deficits.
“Thorough assessment and a well-coordinated treatment plan help to ensure positive mental health outcomes for children and their families,” said Hal Levine, D.O., Chief Medical Officer of ValueOptions®. “Our framework of best practice models promotes comprehensive, individualized care.”