Parental adherence to clinical recommendations in an ADHD evaluation clinic

The present study examined perceived barriers to parental adherence with child psychological assessment recommendations. Eighty caregivers of children referred to an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) evaluation clinic completed a telephone interview 4 to 6 weeks after receiving evaluation feedback. Caregivers reported adherence to 81.5% of recommendations and were equally likely to engage in self-help recommendations (i.e., information on ADHD) and those for professional-nonpsychological services (i.e., medication consultation). Caregivers were least likely to follow through on recommendations for psychological services (e.g., parental behavior training, individual therapy for children with symptoms of anxiety/depression). Higher rather than lower levels of parenting stress were associated with greater adherence. The most commonly reported barriers were lack of time and perceptions that the child's teacher was uncooperative with implementing school-based recommendations.