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."
The article, “Identifying, Evaluating, Diagnosing, and Treating ADHD in Minority Youth,” written by Heather Hervey-Jumper, of the University of Michigan, Karl Douyon, of the Center for Ventura, and from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Tatiana Falcone and Kathleen N. Franco, has been made available at no charge by SAGE for a limited time at http://jad.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/11/5/522.
Journal of Attention Disorders, published by SAGE, is the only journal devoted exclusively to research and clinical issues related to field of attention. A journal of theoretical and applied science, this quarterly publishes an objective and widely diverse cross section of studies written by leaders in all areas relevant to attention problems in the young. http://jad.sagepub.com
SAGE is a leading international publisher of journals, books, and electronic media for academic, educational, and professional markets. Since 1965, SAGE has helped inform and educate a global community of scholars, practitioners, researchers, and students spanning a wide range of subject areas including business, humanities, social sciences, and science, technology and medicine. A privately owned corporation, SAGE has principal offices in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, and Singapore. www.sagepublications.com
Journal
Journal of Attention Disorders