Training Parents May Help Kids with ADHD

Training parents to care for their children with ADHD may lead to improved behavior, a new study suggests. The study included 156 low-income children, ages 6 to 12. Their doctors had referred them to specialists to find out if they had attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Children were randomly divided into 2 groups. Both groups received care management that offered parents help in making decisions. One group also received “enhanced care.” These parents learned how to be involved in their child’s treatment, manage behavior challenges and address their own mental-health needs. Care managers provided the training. They were not health-care professionals but had been trained to teach this program. They served as go-betweens for the parents and the medical team. Parents completed questionnaires about symptoms in the middle of the 1-year study and at the end.