Does ADHD look the same in youth of different races?

Mar 20 2008

The research in the article looked at childhood ADHD in underrepresented minorities, reviewing controversy around evaluation, diagnosis, and obstacles faced by families, ending with recommendations for assessment and treatment.

Studying causes and consequences of untreated ADHD in minority children, the article considers:

• evaluating the child's physical and neurological responses
• assessing family history, including health issues
• building rapport between the family, the school and the health care provider
• recommendations, including psychotherapy, medication and behavioral interventions
• removing barriers such as lack of finances, health care providers and insurance
• maintaining cultural awareness and providing community educational campaigns

"A child of any race can be deeply affected by attention difficulties not only during school years but for a lifetime,” writes coauthor Heather Hervey-Jumper. “It is tragic that many minority children are not provided with culturally sensitive assessments when we have effective treatments that can start these children on a track of progress. Untreated attention disorders can cause devastating results and we believe there are solutions for children of all ethnic backgrounds."