A new study from Stanford Medicine has revealed a troubling trend: preschoolers diagnosed with ADHD are being prescribed stimulant medications—like Ritalin and Adderall—too quickly and too often.

Researchers found that nearly 7 in 10 children diagnosed with ADHD before age 7 were prescribed medication, and 42% received it within just 30 days of diagnosis. This is happening despite clinical guidelines that recommend starting with behavioral interventions, not medication, especially for kids under 6.

Why is this happening?

Is it due to lack of access to behavioral therapists?
Are insurance companies incentivizing quick fixes over long-term care?
Are parents being fully informed of non-medication options and side effects?
Are doctors facing pressure to diagnose and prescribe rapidly due to system constraints?
 

We need answers—and we need to protect kids from being rushed into treatment plans that may not be in their best interest.

We are calling on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the American Academy of Pediatrics to:

• Investigate why ADHD medication is being prescribed so rapidly to preschoolers
• Enforce stronger oversight of pediatric ADHD treatment practices nationwide
• Ensure that every family is offered behavioral therapy options before medication
• Require clear reporting on side effects and long-term outcomes in young children
   

ADHD medications can be life-changing—but they can also come with serious side effects. Kids deserve thoughtful, evidence-based care—not a prescription pad as a first response.