LANHAM, Md., Oct. 25, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- October is ADHD Awareness Month, and CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)―the leading resource for children and adults with ADHD, their families, educators, and healthcare professionals―is shining a spotlight on the most critical concerns currently facing this community.
Moving Forward with ADHD in 2023
Each October during ADHD Awareness Month, CHADD joins forces with the ADHD Coaches Organization (ACO) and the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (ADDA) to build a stronger understanding of ADHD, and to provide valuable programming and resources. The theme for Awareness Month this year is Moving Forward with ADHD in 2023. On the coalition’s website at ADHDAwarenessMonth.org, visitors will find education materials, videos, podcasts featuring ADHD experts, and much more.
This ADHD Awareness Month, the experts at CHADD have identified three pressing concerns in need of attention if we are to move forward as a community in enabling individuals with ADHD to lead successful lives. These topics are the ADHD medication shortage, the importance of developing universal diagnostic guidelines for the adult population, and the lack of access to care for ADHD, particularly in underserved communities.
The ADHD Medication Shortage
There has been an ongoing shortage, beginning in the fall of 2022, in the availability of stimulant medications to treat ADHD. This is causing serious challenges for millions of children and adults who rely on these medications to function properly in school, at work, in relationships, and throughout their day-to-day lives. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) are working closely with manufacturers, agencies, and others in the supply chain to understand, prevent, and reduce these shortages.
CHADD’s Public Policy Committee―experts who advocate on behalf of the ADHD community―continues to pursue all appropriate channels to bring these concerns to the attention of policymakers and manufacturers, and to affect change. If members of the community are interested in reaching out to their representatives and senators, CHADD has composed a letter template that can be customized and sent to elected officials. Tips for how to handle the medication shortage are also available at CHADD.org.
The Need for Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines for Adults with ADHD
The prevalence of ADHD among the US adult population is 4.4%, equating to 11 million people. Many adults remain undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed by their healthcare providers. Surprisingly, 75% of adults with ADHD are not receiving treatment. Middle-aged women contend with additional challenges regarding diagnosis and treatment, as the symptoms they experience are often mistaken as hormonal changes, stress, and other mental health concerns.
CHADD and its adult guidelines DaTAA project coalition is partnering closely with APSARD―the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders―to develop and publish clear diagnostic guidelines for the treatment of ADHD in adults, and to provide toolkits and related resources for implementation of the guidelines, addressing a crucial need for healthcare providers and adults. These guidelines will be based on a critical review of the world’s scientific literature, the APSARD-developed Adult ADHD Quality Measures initiative, and expert opinion from a large panel of diverse nationally and internationally recognized ADHD researchers and clinicians, in collaboration with other professional organizations. There are currently no such guidelines in the US addressing the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD for adults.
Access to Care for ADHD in Underserved and Rural Communities
Concerns regarding access to competent ADHD care are significantly magnified in communities of color, where overall disparities in healthcare are pervasive. Findings from several research studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) show that Asian, Black, and Hispanic children are significantly less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD compared with White children, and when diagnosed, less likely to receive treatment. Substantially lower rates of detection among minority racial/ethnic subgroups in the US leads to higher odds of negative outcomes with economic and personal consequences. Barriers include lack of access to proper evaluation and treatment, a shortage in the delivery of culturally competent healthcare, frequent misdiagnosis, cultural stigmas surrounding mental health, and mistrust in the healthcare system. Reduced access to care is also prevalent in rural communities, where there are fewer local healthcare experts who understand how to recognize, diagnose, and treat ADHD. It is estimated that more than 66 million people in the US reside in non-metropolitan counties with a shortage of mental health professionals.
CHADD continues to develop resources specially addressing ADHD among diverse populations, aimed at breaking down stigmas and increasing access to trusted, reliable information. In rural areas, where wait times to see a specialist can be six months or more, telemedicine services may now offer a viable option. Telemedicine―which gained increasing acceptance during the COVID-19 pandemic―can be a cost-effective and convenient alternative to an in-person visit with a doctor or specialist. That said, it is imperative to identify an experienced ADHD professional who can provide a comprehensive evaluation and individualized treatment plan. A telehealth evaluation for ADHD should reflect the same level of attention and care received during an office visit with a clinical expert.
2023 Annual International Conference on ADHD
Beyond ADHD Awareness Month, the coalition members―CHADD, ACO and ADDA―will host the 2023 Annual International Conference on ADHD in Baltimore, Maryland, from November 30 to December 2, followed by an online conference option on December 5 and 6. The conference delivers a multitude of ADHD-focused science, education, and essential information, as well as support and community, for an intended audience that includes adults with ADHD, parents and caregivers of children with ADHD, educators, coaches, advocates, and clinicians who diagnose and treat patients with ADHD. For more information or to register, please visit TheADHDConference.org.
About ADHD
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. It affects more than 10 percent of school-age children and more than four percent of adults across every age, gender, IQ, religion, and socioeconomic background.
There are three primary presentations of ADHD—predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive, and combined—each with a specific combination of symptoms. Symptoms can change over time, so children may fit different presentations as they get older, and adults may fit different presentations during various stages of life.
ADHD can have potentially devastating consequences, including reduced life expectancy, school or job failure, family stress and disruption, depression, relationship problems, substance use issues, accidental injuries, and legal difficulties. ADHD is highly manageable with an individualized multimodal treatment approach that can include behavioral interventions, parent and patient training, educational support, and medication.
A comprehensive evaluation by a professional is necessary to establish a diagnosis, rule out other causes, and determine the presence or absence of coexisting conditions.
About CHADD
CHADD is the leading resource on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), providing support, training, education, and advocacy for the estimated 17 million children and adults in the United States living with ADHD, their families, educators, and healthcare professionals. As home to the National Resource Center on ADHD, funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CHADD is the most trusted source of reliable, science-based information regarding current medical research and ADHD management.
Media Contacts
Tracy Simon
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tracy@tlsimonpr.com
Barbara Link
610.668.2855
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