When Is Medicating Toddlers the Right Intervention?

To the Editor:

Re “Thousands of Toddlers Are Medicated for A.D.H.D., Report Finds, Raising Worries” (news article, May 17):

Considering medications for use in very young children continues to be analogous to breaking the glass on a fire alarm. Medications should be considered only for children with severe functional impairment or high risk of injury, nearly always after nonpharmacological interventions have failed. But prescribing patterns will not change without access to appropriate interventions.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/27/opinion/when-is-medicating-toddlers-the-right-intervention.html?mabReward=RI%3A9&module=WelcomeBackModal&contentCollection=Science&region=FixedCenter&action=click&pgtype=article