Children in special education programs: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, use of services, and unmet needs.
R Bussing,
B T Zima,
A R Perwien,
T R Belin and
M Widawski
Department of Psychiatry, University of California at Los Angeles, USA. regina@hpe.ufl.edu
OBJECTIVES: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),a common psychiatric condition, may impair a child's abilityto learn and to form social relationships, tasks critical tohealthy development. This study describes the prevalence ofthe disorder among children in special education programs andidentifies the extent and predictors of unmet service needs.METHODS: A 2-stage screening protocol of a countywide populationof second- through fourth-grade students in special educationwas conducted to (1) screen for ADHD, employing standardizedparent and teacher questionnaires, and determine health servicesuse (n = 499) and (2) perform diagnostic assessments of ADHD(n = 318). RESULTS: Almost half of the children qualified fora diagnosis of ADHD, yet only half of those were reportedlyreceiving care for the condition, mainly in the general healthcare sector. Girls were more than 3 times as likely as boysto have unmet service needs; minority status, low income, andhealth maintenance organization coverage also emerged as possiblerisk factors for unmet service needs. CONCLUSIONS: ADHD is acommon yet often untreated condition among children in specialeducation. Mental health services for children with this disordershould be integrated with general health care and special educationprograms.
This article has been cited by other articles:
S. H. Kataoka, B. Rowan, and K. E. Hoagwood Bridging the Divide: In Search of Common Ground in Mental Health and Education Research and Policy
Psychiatr Serv,
November 1, 2009;
60(11):
1510 - 1515.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
D. J. Marks, A. Mlodnicka, M. Bernstein, A. Chacko, S. Rose, and J. M. Halperin Profiles of Service Utilization and the Resultant Economic Impact in Preschoolers With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
J. Pediatr. Psychol.,
July 1, 2009;
34(6):
681 - 689.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
L. K. Leslie, K. M. Lambros, G. A. Aarons, R. A. Haine, and R. L. Hough School-Based Service Use by Youth With ADHD in Public-Sector Settings
Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders,
September 1, 2008;
16(3):
163 - 177.
[Abstract][PDF]
D. S. Mandell, J. K. Davis, K. Bevans, and J. P. Guevara Ethnic Disparities in Special Education Labeling Among Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders,
March 1, 2008;
16(1):
42 - 51.
[Abstract][PDF]
M. T. Lien, J. S. Carlson, S. Hunter-Oehmke, and K. A. Knapp A Pilot Investigation of Teachers' Perceptions of Psychotropic Drug Use in Schools
J Atten Disord,
September 1, 2007;
11(2):
172 - 177.
[Abstract][PDF]
W. E. Pelham, E. M. Foster, and J. A. Robb The Economic Impact of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents
J. Pediatr. Psychol.,
July 1, 2007;
32(6):
711 - 727.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
L. K. Leslie and M. L. Wolraich ADHD Service Use Patterns in Youth
J. Pediatr. Psychol.,
July 1, 2007;
32(6):
695 - 710.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
L. Diller and S. Goldstein Science, ethics, and the psychosocial treatment of ADHD.
J Atten Disord,
May 1, 2006;
9(4):
571 - 574.
[PDF]
B. W. Graetz, M. G. Sawyer, P. Baghurst, and C. Hirte Gender Comparisons of Service Use Among Youth With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders,
January 1, 2006;
14(1):
2 - 11.
[Abstract][PDF]
J. Kendall, M. C. Leo, N. Perrin, and D. Hatton Service Needs of Families With Children With ADHD
Journal of Family Nursing,
August 1, 2005;
11(3):
264 - 288.
[Abstract][PDF]
L. K. Leslie, G. Canino, J. Landsverk, P. A. Wood, L. Chavez, R. L. Hough, J. J. Bauermeister, and R. Ramirez ADHD Treatment Patterns of Youth Served in Public Sectors in San Diego and Puerto Rico
Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders,
January 1, 2005;
13(4):
224 - 236.
[Abstract][PDF]
M. M. Garrison, L. P. Richardson, D. A. Christakis, and F. Connell Mental Illness Hospitalizations of Youth in Washington State
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med,
August 1, 2004;
158(8):
781 - 785.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
E. R. Cox, B. R. Motheral, R. R. Henderson, and D. Mager Geographic Variation in the Prevalence of Stimulant Medication Use Among Children 5 to 14 Years Old: Results From a Commercially Insured US Sample
Pediatrics,
February 1, 2003;
111(2):
237 - 243.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
A. S. Rowland, D. M. Umbach, L. Stallone, A. J. Naftel, E. M. Bohlig, and D. P. Sandler Prevalence of Medication Treatment for Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder Among Elementary School Children in Johnston County, North Carolina
Am J Public Health,
February 1, 2002;
92(2):
231 - 234.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
S. Goldstein and D. Turner The extent of drug therapy for ADHD among children in a large public school district
J Atten Disord,
April 1, 2001;
4(4):
212 - 219.
[Abstract][PDF]
D. J. Safer and M. Malever Stimulant Treatment in Maryland Public Schools
Pediatrics,
September 1, 2000;
106(3):
533 - 539.
[Abstract][Full Text]
R. Bussing, B. T. Zima, and T. R. Belin Differential Access to Care for Children With ADHD in Special Education Programs
Psychiatr Serv,
September 1, 1998;
49(9):
1226 - 1229.
[Abstract][Full Text][PDF]
R. Bussing, N. E. Schoenberg, K. M. Rogers, B. T. Zima, and S. Angus Explanatory Models of ADHD: Do They Differ by Ethnicity, Child Gender, or Treatment Status?
Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders,
January 1, 1998;
6(4):
233 - 242.
[Abstract][PDF]