New Zealand Clinical Principles Framework for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The New Zealand Clinical Principles Framework for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (the framework) describes the expected clinical standards for quality assessment, diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in New Zealand based on existing international clinical guidelines. The framework also includes further considerations that may represent clinical best practice or areas that have limited evidence. 

The framework has been developed in partnership with a Clinical Reference Group, with members including people with lived experience of ADHD, family and whānau of individuals with ADHD, and New Zealand clinicians with expertise and experience in assessing and treating ADHD. 

The framework includes: 

• core general principles that can be used to guide ADHD assessment, diagnosis and treatment for children and young people, and adults
• age-specific consensus principles that outline expected standards and further considerations for assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of ADHD within New Zealand.

The framework has been updated to include all psychology scopes (see ‘General Principles’, page 6). Greater emphasis has been placed on competence as the over-arching consideration in line with consultation feedback.