Parent-Provider Intervention for Improving Medication Adherence in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

PHASE I:

Inclusion Criteria:

Parent Focus Group Participants:

• Must be primary caregiver and legal guardian of child (6-10 years) at time of initial ADHD diagnosis
• Child must have been diagnosed with ADHD within the last 18 months at Schneider Children's Hospital's (SCH) outpatient clinic (co-morbid diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder [ODD] or conduct disorder [CD] is permitted)

Provider Focus Group Participants:

• Child psychiatrist employed by North Shore - Long Island Jewish child psychiatry outpatient department
• Licensed to practice in New York State
• Has more than 1 year of experience prescribing medication to youth with ADHD

Child Interview Participants:

• Diagnosis of ADHD (co-morbid diagnosis of ODD, CD, or mood disorder is permitted)
• Between 6 and 10 years old at time of initial ADHD diagnosis
• Diagnosis occurred within 18 months prior to study entry at Zucker Hillside Hospital outpatient clinic

Exclusion Criteria:

Parent Focus Group Participants and Child Interview Participants:

• Child has significant co-morbid medical conditions, such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, or severe asthma, resulting in more than 2 emergency visits in the last year
• Child has a co-morbid diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or other serious psychiatric condition within 12 months prior to study entry
• Child has history of psychiatric hospitalization within 12 months prior to study entry
• Child is receiving treatment in a different setting

PHASE II:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Primary caregiver and legal guardian of child (6-10 years) at the time of initial ADHD diagnosis
• Child has been diagnosed with ADHD within the last 18 months at SCH's outpatient clinic

Exclusion Criteria:

• Parents of children with co-morbid medical conditions other than oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD)
• Parents of children with a co-morbid diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar disorder, mental retardation, or other severe mental illness, evidence of mental retardation, or history of psychiatric hospitalization within 12 months prior to study entry
• Child is receiving treatment in a different setting

PHASE III:

Inclusion Criteria:

• Medication naïve children with a primary diagnosis of ADHD (co-morbid ODD will be permitted) at the Child Psychiatric Outpatient Department at SCH
• Parents are the legal guardians
• Both parents and children willing to sign the informed consent/assent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children with co-morbid medical conditions other than ODD
• Children with a co-morbid diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or other serious psychiatric condition, evidence of mental retardation, or history of recent hospitalization