Issue Brief 60: The Critical Role of Pediatric Primary Care in Addressing Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common and treatable pediatric neurodevelopmental disorders. Pediatric primary care practices play an important role in identifying and treating children with this condition. One in ten parents of children ages 4-17 in Connecticut and nationally report that their child has been diagnosed with ADHD. Early identification and age appropriate treatment of pediatric ADHD is critical to a child’s lifelong health, academic success, social competency, and mental health.
This issue brief examines the national guideline put in place by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which supports pediatric primary care in early identification and treatment of ADHD. CHDI puts this guideline into practice through a one year pilot project, developed and delivered through CHDI's Educating Practices in Communities (EPIC) training program.
This Issue Brief was prepared by Susan Macary, former Senior Associate for Health Initiatives at CHDI.