Summary of the practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with conduct disorder.

This summary of the practice parameters describes the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of conduct disorder in children and adolescents. The rationales for these recommendations are based on a review of the scientific literature and clinical consensus, which are contained in the complete document. Clinical features of youths with conduct disorder include predominance in males, low socioeconomic status, and familial aggregation. Important continuities to oppositional defiant disorder and antisocial personality disorder have been documented. Extensive comorbidity, especially with other externalizing disorders, depression, and substance abuse, has been documented and has significance for prognosis. Clinically significant subtypes exist according to age of onset, overt or covert conduct problems, and levels of restraint exhibited under stress. To be effective, treatment must be multimodal, address multiple foci, and continue over extensive periods of time. Early treatment and prevention seem to be more effective than later intervention.