Association of Educational Psychologists: Calls for a national review of the use of psychotropic drugs for school aged children in the UK
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http://www.channel4.com/news/adhd-drugs-prescribed-to-under-6s-against-guidelines
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The Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) considers that a national review into the use of psychotropic drugs, such as Ritalin, on school aged children in the UK is urgently needed.
This is in agreement with the views publicly expressed by individual educational psychologists and the British Psychological Society (BPS).
The AEP has significant concerns that the neurological impact of psychotropic drugs on the developing brains of children has not been fully researched. The potential damage that such drugs could cause needs further investigation.
The AEP is also concerned about child treatment with psychotropics ahead of the introduction of new diagnostic criteria, DSM5, in 2013. These criteria will result in more inclusive definitions of mental health, and could consequently lead to more young people being referred for treatment with these medications.
Therefore, prior to the introduction of DSM5, the AEP calls on the Government to urgently establish a national review into the standard intervention practices for children and young people considered to have issues of mental health – and further calls for this review to consider seriously the potential damage caused by psychotropics when contrasted with other available therapies.
DRUGS for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are being prescribed routinely to children under the age of six, according to an investigation by Channel 4.
Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence warn against prescribing drugs such as Ritalin and Prozac to young children, but increasing numbers are being given the drugs.
The disclosure will raise concerns that family doctors are prescribing the drugs as a “quick fix” solution to ADHD when counselling, therapy and discipline would be a more suitable alternative.
The Association of Educational Psychologists is urging the Government to carry out an urgent review.
Prof Ian Wong, an expert in children’s medicine, said: “Our research shows that the most medicated group are the six to 12-year-olds. What you would not expect because it is completely outside the guidelines is that children younger than six are being put on these drugs.”
Darren Hucknall, whose son Harry died last year after being prescribed Ritalin and Prozac, said: “It seems strange to me that he managed OK up to the age of 10 not being on these drugs and then he goes on Ritalin for two months and Prozac for however many months, and now he’s dead.”
Concern raised over ADHD drugs
Psychologists fear drugs are being used as a 'quick fix' for hyperactive children
Psychologists have called for an urgent review of drugs for hyperactive children amid concerns they are being used as a "quick fix".
There is a lack of knowledge about the effect of powerful psychotropic drugs, used to treat conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), on a child's development, according to the Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP).
The association warns that more research is needed and is urging the Government to re-examine the use of these drugs.
The call came as a Channel 4 News investigation found that children under six years of age are being "chemically coshed" with drugs after being diagnosed with conditions such as ADHD.
The investigation found a massive increase in the amount of ADHD medicine being prescribed in Britain. Five years ago, it claims, 389,000 prescriptions were given out by doctors, but by last year that figure had nearly doubled.
The investigation also claims that drugs are increasingly being prescribed to children aged under six, which is against manufacturers' guidelines, and those issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice).
AEP general secretary Kate Fallon said: "There is a danger that we rely on the 'quick fix' for children with conditions such as ADHD, which frequently means the prescription of medication such as Ritalin instead of a number of other possible interventions.
"These are very powerful drugs that should not be prescribed lightly and should really be a last resort. We need a collaborative approach to the treatment of these conditions, which includes further research into the effect of prescribing such potent medications to such young children."
In a statement, the AEP said: "The Association of Educational Psychologists considers that a national review into the use of psychotropic drugs, such as Ritalin, on school-aged children in the UK is urgently needed."
It adds: "The AEP has significant concerns that the neurological impact of psychotropic drugs on the developing brains of children has not been fully researched. The potential damage that such drugs could cause needs further investigation."
Educational Psychologists call for urgent review into use of psychotropics on children
Mon, 06/06/2011
The Association of Educational Psychologists has today urged the Government to undertake an urgent review into the use of drugs such as Ritalin on school aged children.
In a statement seen exclusively by Channel 4 News as part of an investigation into the prescription of psychotropics to children, the AEP has warned that there is insufficient knowledge as to the effect of such powerful medications on child development and that further research is urgently needed.
The AEP has further called for improved communication between education and health professionals to ensure collaborative interventions for such conditions as ADHD, and warned that the introduction of new diagnostic criteria in 2013 could make it easier to prescribe psychotropics for children.
Kate Fallon, the General Secretary of the Association of Educational Psychologists, said:
“There is a danger that we rely on the ‘quick fix’ for children with conditions such as ADHD, which frequently means the prescription of medication such as Ritalin instead of a number of other possible interventions.
“These are very powerful drugs that should not be prescribed lightly and really be a last resort. We need a collaborative approach to the treatment of these conditions, which includes further research into the effect of prescribing such potent medications to such young children.
The AEP is the representative professional body for educational psychologists in the UK.
The AEP statement in full
Association of Educational Psychologists: Support for a national review of the use of psychotropic drugs for school aged children in the UK
The Association of Educational Psychologists (AEP) considers that a national review into the use of psychotropic drugs, such as Ritalin, on school aged children in the UK is urgently needed.
This is in agreement with the views publicly expressed by individual educational psychologists and the British Psychological Society (BPS).
The AEP has significant concerns that the neurological impact of psychotropic drugs on the developing brains of children has not been fully researched. The potential damage that such drugs could cause needs further investigation.
The AEP is also concerned about child treatment with psychotropics ahead of the introduction of new diagnostic criteria, DSM5, in 2013. These criteria will result in more inclusive definitions of mental health, and could consequently lead to more young people being referred for treatment with these medications
Therefore, prior to the introduction of DSM5, the AEP calls on the Government to urgently establish a national review into the standard intervention practices for children and young people considered to have issues of mental health – and further calls for this review to consider seriously the potential damage caused by psychotropics when contrasted with other available therapies.
AEP News
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