[How do children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) experience lockdown during the...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric mental health
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Psychology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a French government-imposed lockdown, raising concerns about child and adolescent mental health.
• Children and adolescents diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may face particular challenges during periods of restricted activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the well-being and life conditions of children and adolescents with ADHD during the COVID-19 lockdown in France.
• To gather parental insights on the impact of lockdown on ADHD symptoms and daily life.

Main Methods:

• A survey was designed with open-ended questions and questionnaire items for parents of children and adolescents with ADHD.
• The survey was disseminated via social media and French ADHD parent/patient organizations.
• Descriptive, qualitative, and textometrical analyses were performed on the collected responses.

Main Results:

• Out of 538 parental responses, 533 were analyzed. 34.7% of children showed worsening well-being, 34.3% remained stable, and 31.0% improved.
• Parents reported improvements in anxiety and self-esteem, linked to reduced school strain and flexible schedules.
• Worsening symptoms included oppositional behaviors, emotional outbursts, and sleep problems. At-home schooling presented challenges, highlighting the need for academic accommodations.

Conclusions:

• Most children and adolescents with ADHD experienced stable or improved well-being during lockdown, according to parental reports.
• Key factors contributing to improved well-being included reduced school-related anxiety and flexible daily rhythms.
• The study underscored parents' increased awareness of ADHD-related difficulties and the impact of environmental factors on their children's condition.