In the context of the research project "Promoting Children", two online surveys with experts on the subject of ADHD were conducted to take their perspectives into account.

1) Survey of teachers and curative educators
On the one hand, teachers and curative educators (n=223) in German-speaking Switzerland were interviewed about ADHD. The survey addressed questions about XYZ . In addition to questions with given answer possibilities and in particular also open, qualitative questions, the survey also evaluated the questions.

2) Survey of paediatricians
Secondly, paediatricians (n= 151) in all three Swiss language regions were interviewed about ADHD. The focus of the survey was on the current practice and the needs for diagnosis and treatment of ADHD.

Results
On diagnostic practice, the doctors reported that for a diagnosis they make an average of 3.1 appointments with parents and teachers, of which the children are included in 2.4 appointments. More than 80% of pediatricians use screening instruments and about 50% use specific instruments for differential diagnosis.  The subjectivity of the diagnosis and the associated challenge to obtain meaningful information from parents, teachers and children are mentioned as challenges in the diagnosis. The existing prejudices against ADHD on the part of parents, teachers and the public are also perceived as challenging.
With regard to therapy practice, the doctors reported that the children's level of suffering is a central factor for therapy. They provide detailed information about several possible forms of therapy. In particular, they inform about the multimodal therapy that is recommended as standard and combines pharmacological and psychotherapeutic therapy approaches. From the information on the prescription practice of the therapies, however, it becomes clear that medications, with an average of 8 prescriptions per month, are prescribed twice as frequently as psychotherapy, which is prescribed on average 4 times in the same period as is occupational therapy. Accordingly, as challenges in the treatment, the low availability of therapy places, the lack of billing possibilities for interprofessional cooperation (for example with teachers) are mentioned.

The results from both expert interviews have been incorporated into the recommendations for action, which, as a central publication from the "Promoting Children" project, offer support for the handling of AD(H)S in the decision-making process for patients and experts. The recommendations for action are available free of charge to all interested parties. The project leaders are available as contact persons.