Dosing stimulants is never easy. There are various rules of thumb—for example, 0.5 mg/kg for amphetamine preparations and 1 mg/kg for methylphenidate preparations—but these have not been empirically validated.

Making the decision to put a child on a psychiatric medication is hard enough. The process of discussing this possibility with parents can be even more challenging.

Many parents are understandably reluctant to begin their children on psychiatric medication, and indeed, in many cases this is inappropriate as a first step.

Every child has a family. Sometimes families are difficult and sometimes they are nontraditional. But children live in families and most often their families are their greatest resources and the medium by which children can improve.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping daily television viewing to no more than two hours per day, on the basis of research linking excessive TV to behavioral problem, poor body image, and other issues (AAP Policy Statement, Pediatrics 2001;107(2):423–426).

Once you have tried the various non-pharmacological approaches to aggression, you will have to turn to what is generally the second choice—using medications.

Combining medication and behavioral therapy leads to better outcomes for children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs), according to a recent study.

The treatment of adolescent depression has stirred much controversy in recent years. Many have raised doubts about the efficacy of both antidepressants and psychotherapy, and whether medications increase the risk of treatment-emergent suicidality is a divisive issue.

Do stimulants cause serious cardiac problems in children? It is a controversial topic—and not just among psychiatrists.

Autism has recently hit the radar screen in psychiatry and pediatrics. This is partly due to an increase in prevalence that has been widely reported in the media, coupled with ongoing debate regarding whether vaccines are causing this so-called "autism epidemic.”