Stimulant medication remains one of the most effective and proven interventions. It assists organisation and control of information processing and behaviour. The immature or inefficient neurotransmitter pathways on which it acts are widely distributed in the brain.
Medication has many possible changes of function.
Clonidine acts most on aggression and impulsivity and its sedative effect may help sleep problems. Medications like imipramine may help accompanying anxiety, sadness and depression as well as clarity of thinking and attention. The more effectively that other problems in the child or the child's world are dealt with, the less it may be needed. In most of Australia stimulant medication must be initiated by consultant paediatricians, psychiatrists or other approved practitioners. In NSW its use is monitored by the Department of Health through the Stimulants Subcommittee consisting of paediatricians and child psychiatrists.