CDC researchers found from parent reports that about half of children were diagnosed by a primary care physician, behavior rating scales were used for 9 in 10 children to assess for ADHD, and about 8 in 10 diagnoses incorporated information from an http://bestvideobabymonitor.co.uk/shop/ adult other than a family member.
This is important information for healthcare providers, public health officials, and researchers who seek to determine how closely current practice matches with best practice for diagnosing ADHD. These findings provide new information on who is diagnosing ADHD and describes some of the features of those initial diagnostic visits. The estimates suggest that physicians who diagnose ADHD are largely using two http://www.familynet.com/ recommended practicesbehavior rating scales and incorporating feedback from adults other than family membersin their diagnosis of ADHD in children. This information will also inform future efforts to make sure that the diagnosis of ADHD reflects best practice recommendations.
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Main Findings
Based on the parents report about their childs ADHD diagnosis
About three-quarters of children with ADHD were diagnosed before age 9 and one-third of those by age 6;A family member (which can include a parent) was usually the one first concerned about a childs behavior, than someone from the childs school or daycare;A primary care physician (usually a pediatrician) first made the diagnosis for about half of the children;Children with ADHD first diagnosed by a psychiatrist were more likely to be under 6 years of age than older;Children with ADHD first diagnosed by a psychologist were more likely to be older than 6 years of age than under 6;Healthcare providers nearly always had a conversation with a parent about their childs behavior;Healthcare providers used behavior rating scales or checklists to assess 9 in 10 children for ADHD; andAn adult outside of the family was usually involved in the diagnostic process.About this Study
Researchers used data from the 2014 National Survey of the Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD and Tourette Syndrome (NS-DATA)--a follow-up survey of the 2011-2012 National Survey of Childrens Health (NSCH). The NSCH examined health and well-being among children in the United States. The NS-DATA survey was conducted in 2014 to collect additional information about the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and/or Tourette syndrome (TS) from parents who had previously reported that their child had ADHD or TS. Parents were asked whether they had ever been told that their child had ADHD and at what age; the type of healthcare professional who made the diagnosis; the first person who was concerned about the childs behavior; the methods used to assess for ADHD; and whether information was sought from other individuals about the child and from whom (e.g. teachers, coaches, childcare providers, other family members etc.).
CDCs work on ADHD
One way that CDC monitors the number of children who have been diagnosed with ADHD is through the use of national survey data. Questions about ADHD on national or regional surveys are used to learn more about the number of children with ADHD, their use of ADHD treatments, and the impact of ADHD on children and their families.
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CDC also conducts community-based studies to better understand the impact of ADHD and other mental and behavioral health conditions on children and families living with these conditions. The Project to Learn about Youth - Mental Health (PLAY-MH) has been implemented in four community sites to help us better understand ADHD, Tourette syndrome, and other mental and behavioral disorders, as well as the needs of children and families affected by these conditions.
CDC supports the National Resource Center on ADHD, a program of Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), which is a Public Health Practice and Resource Center. Their web site (http://www.help4adhd.org/) has information based on the best and most current medical evidence about the care for people with ADHD and their families. The National Resource Center operates a call center with trained staff to answer questions about ADHD. Their phone number is 1-800-233-4050.
More Information
Learn more about ADHD and CDCs work in the area of ADHD
Learn more about ADHD treatment
Learn more about the current best practices for ADHD diagnosis and treatment
To learn more about the American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines, please visit Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderin children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 128(5), 1007-1022.
Key Findings Reference
Visser, S.N., Zablotsky, B., Holbrook, J.R., Danielson, M.L., & Bitsko, R.H. (2015). Diagnostic experiences of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. National Health Statistics Report, 81, 1-7.
