Parent Perspectives on Barriers to Behavioral Health Services for Children With ADHD

Area of Science:

• Pediatric behavioral health
• Child psychology
• Healthcare access research

Background:

• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines recommend behavioral therapy as first-line treatment for young children with ADHD.
• A significant number of young children with ADHD receive medication instead of recommended behavioral treatments.
• Limited research exists on parental barriers to accessing behavioral health services for young children with ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore perceived barriers among parents of children diagnosed with ADHD regarding the implementation of behavioral health services.
• To identify specific challenges parents encounter when seeking or utilizing ADHD treatments for their children.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving four focus groups with parents of children diagnosed with ADHD (N=29).
• Participants were recruited from a Southeast city support group and a national ADHD conference.
• Focus groups explored parents' experiences accessing treatment for their children.

Main Results:

• Three primary themes of perceived barriers emerged: misconceptions and stigma, lack of financial and time resources, and issues with treatment messaging and provider coordination.
• These barriers may disproportionately affect parents of young children with ADHD in the Southeast region.
• Parental experiences highlight systemic issues impacting ADHD treatment access.

Conclusions:

• Findings indicate a need for improved care coordination for ADHD across healthcare settings, providers, and families.
• Addressing identified barriers can enhance access to and utilization of evidence-based ADHD treatments.
• Results offer insights for improving ADHD care in the Southeast and nationally.