ABSTRACT
The purpose of the current study was to examine protopathic stimulant use among children with the symptoms of ADHD but do not have a diagnosis of ADHD. Protopathic or prodromal stimulant use refers to the use of stimulants by children with the symptoms of ADHD prior to a diagnosis of ADHD. In the current study, we examined children with the symptoms of ADHD who received stimulant treatment across time and with respect to several background variables. Our results indicate that these children who receive stimulant treatment without a diagnosis of ADHD are significantly more like to be eventually diagnosed with ADHD than not. Results also indicate that these children who receive stimulant treatment but do not yet have a diagnosis of ADHD are significantly more likely to have insurance that does not pay for diagnostic procedures. These results are discussed in view of treatment.
Subject(s)
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/diagnosis , Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/drug therapy , Central Nervous System Stimulants/therapeutic use , Early Medical Intervention/statistics & numerical data , Central Nervous System Stimulants/economics , Child , Disease Progression , Early Medical Intervention/methods , Female , Humans , Insurance, Health/statistics & numerical data , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Sex Characteristics , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: ADHD is a commonly diagnosed neuropsychological disorder among school-aged children with reported high rates of coexisting or comorbid disorders. As ADHD has been associated with academic underachievement, the current study examines this association in view of the presence of coexisting disorders. The purpose of the current study is to examine the relationship between the presence of coexisting disorders and academic achievement among children with ADHD using a large, nationally representative, and community-based sample. METHOD: To achieve this purpose, the presence of coexisting disorders with ADHD and academic achievement are examined across time utilizing latent growth models. RESULTS: Our results indicate an inverse relationship between the presence of coexisting disorders and academic achievement across time among children diagnosed with ADHD. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that practitioners must be concerned with the presence of coexisting disorders for children with ADHD with respect to academic achievement as well as other behavioral and psychological outcomes.
