Recommendations for the transition from paediatric to adult care in Italian ADHD youth

Background-This study aimed to create expert consensus guidelines to enhance the transfer of care for Italian adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as they move from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS). Materials and methods-A modified Delphi approach was used, engaging 27 participants, including child psychiatrists, psychologists, general practitioners, psychiatrists, young adults with ADHD and parents. The recommendations were drafted using data from the TransiDEA project, along with global standards such as NICE and Ready Steady Go. Stakeholders assessed the importance and practicality of 33 proposed strategies in two rounds. Consensus was reached when at least 75% of participants agreed on each item. Results-Ultimately, 22 recommendations were approved, categorised into four themes: preparation, transition process, follow-up and service structure. Key suggestions involved initiating planning by age 16, engaging both families and interdisciplinary teams, adopting tools for information sharing, and tracking health outcomes after the transfer. Emphasis was placed on clinician education and service evaluation to address systemic barriers. The resulting recommendations integrate diverse perspectives and align with global standards, offering a flexible yet structured model for improving care transitions in ADHD services in Italy. Further research should explore how these strategies may be applied and extended to other neurodevelopmental conditions.