Pediatric Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Thursdays, 8:00 – 9:00 AM

ADHD is one of the most common chronic childhood disorders in the U.S.; it is estimated that 9% of children ages 3—17 have a diagnosis of ADHD. Poverty further increases a child’s risk for ADHD, with greater prevalence among children living below the poverty level. These same communities, however, often have fewer provider equipped to properly diagnose and manage ADHD, with disparities in access to care for children living with ADHD also linked to race and ethnicity. For example, African American boys living in poverty are the most likely to be referred for mental health services and among the least likely to receive these services.

ADHD is one of the most common chronic childhood disorders in the U.S.; it is estimated that 6-11% of children ages 3—17 have a diagnosis of ADHD. Poverty further increases a child’s risk for ADHD, with greater prevalence among children living below the poverty level. These same communities, however, often have fewer medical providers equipped to properly diagnose and manage ADHD, with disparities in access to care for children living with ADHD also linked to race and ethnicity. For example, African American boys living in poverty are the most likely to be referred for mental health services and among the least likely to receive these services. The impact of ADHD on children includes behavioral problems, academic underachievement, social difficulties, and low self-esteem. For adolescents, an ADHD diagnosis has been linked to higher rates of school failure, motor vehicle accidents, substance abuse, and encounters with law officials. Using the American Academy of Pediatrics ADHD Guidelines, ECHO-Chicago training in this series provides primary care providers with the skills and knowledge to diagnose and deliver care to children and adolescents at risk for ADHD in their local community health center. Our curriculum provides a comprehensive review of  the diagnosis and management of ADHD, from behavioral interventions to medication prescription and management, alternative medical options for treatment, and the impact of ADHD on sleep. Though we focus on pediatric ADHD, we also spend a session focusing on ADHD in adults. This series is geared towards primary care providers, especially those in the areas of Internal and Family Medicine as well as in Pediatrics.

Topics for Case-Based Learning and Discussion Include:

• Making the Diagnosis of ADHD in the Primary Care Practice
• Behavioral interventions for ADHD
• ADHD Medication Management, Part I: Stimulants
• ADHD Medication Management, Part II: Second Line Medications
• ADHD & sleep
• Complementary Alternative Medicine Interventions & ADHD
• Management of Children and Youth with Disruptive Behaviors and ADHD
• Management of Children and Youth with Learning Problems and ADHD
• Management of Children and Youth with Anxiety and/or Depression and ADHD
• Diagnosis & treatment of ADHD in Preschool Children
• Practice systems in the Management of ADHD
• Evaluation and Management of ADHD in Adults and Series Wrap Up