Menstrual pain in Australian adolescent girls and its impact on regular activities: a population-based cohort analysis based on Longitudinal Study of Australian Children survey data.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of Australian adolescent girls who experience menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea); to assess associations of dysmenorrhea and period pain severity with adolescents missing regular activities because of their periods. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, population-based cohort study; analysis of Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) survey data. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: Female adolescents in the nationally representative cross-sequential sample of Australian children recruited in 2004 for the Kinder cohort (aged 4-5 years at enrolment). Survey data from waves 6 (mean age 14 years), wave 7 (16 years) and wave 8 (18 years) were analysed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Severity of period pain during the preceding three months (very, quite, a little, or not at all painful); number of activity types missed because of periods; relationship between missing activities and period pain severity. RESULTS: Of the 1835 participating female members of the LSAC Kinder cohort at waves 6 to 8, 1600 (87%) responded to questions about menstruation during at least one of waves 6 to 8 of data collection. At wave 6 (14 years), 227 of 644 respondents (35%) reported dysmenorrhea, 675 of 1341 (50%) at wave 6 (16 years), and 518 of 1115 (46%) at wave 8 (18 years). Of the 366 participants who reported period pain severity at all three waves, 137 reported no dysmenorrhea at all three waves (37%), 66 reported dysmenorrhea at all three waves (18%), 89 reported increasing period pain over time (24%), and 38 reported declining pain (10%). At wave 6, 223 of 647 participants reported missing at least one activity because of their periods (34%), 454 of 1341 at wave 7 (34%), and 344 of 1111 at wave 8 (31%). Of the participants who experienced very painful periods, 72% (wave 6), 63% (wave 7), and 65% (wave 8) missed at least one activity type because of their periods, as did 45% (wave 6), 36% (wave 7), and 40% (wave 8) of those who experienced quite painful periods. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of adolescent girls in Australia experience period pain that affects their engagement in regular activities, including school attendance. Recognising adolescent period pain is important not only for enhancing their immediate quality of life with appropriate support and interventions, but also as part of early screening for chronic health conditions such as endometriosis.

The Connection Between Sleep Problems and Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties in Autistic Children: A Network Analysis.

The interactions between sleep problems, autism symptoms and emotional and behavioural difficulties were explored using network analysis in 240 autistic children (mean age: 8.8 years, range 5-13 years) with moderate to severe sleep problems. Findings revealed a highly connected and interpretable network, with three separate clusters identified of the modelled variables. Depression, anxiety and behavioural difficulties were the most central variables of the network. Depression, anxiety and restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns behaviours (RRBs) were the strongest bridging variables in the network model, transmitting activation both within and between other symptom clusters. The results highlight that depression and anxiety were highly connected symptoms within the network, suggesting support in these areas could be helpful, as well as future research.

Are physical activity and sleep associated with emotional self-regulation in toddlers? a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Toddlerhood (2-3 years) is a crucial period for the development of physical activity, sleep, and emotional self-regulation skills. Although there is growing evidence of positive associations between physical activity, sleep, and emotional self-regulation in school-aged children, the associations in toddlers remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to examine the association between physical activity, sleep, and emotional self-regulation in toddlers. METHODS: Baseline data from 1350 toddlers (2.2 ± 0.33 year) from the Let's Grow randomised controlled trial were used. Toddlers' total physical activity (TPA) and moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) were assessed via 4 + days of accelerometry and a 3-item parent-report scale. Parent-reported total sleep quantity was calculated using the sum of average night-time sleep and daytime nap durations. Sleep behaviour data including bedtime routine, bedtime resistance, sleep onset-delay, sleep duration, and night waking were collected using relevant subsections from the Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire revised (BISQ-R). A 4-item parent-report scale adapted from the Fast Track Project Child Behaviour Questionnaire was used to assess toddlers' emotional self-regulation. Linear regression models were used, adjusting for child age, sex, and parental education. RESULTS: Accelerometer-derived TPA, MVPA and parent-reported TPA were not associated with emotional self-regulation. Higher parent-reported MVPA (B = -0.01 CI95 -0.03, -0.003) was associated with poorer emotional self-regulation. Higher sleep duration was associated with better emotional self-regulation (B = 0.06 CI95 0.04, 0.08). The five sleep behaviours assessed were also positively associated with emotional self-regulation (all p < 0.01), with fewer problem sleep behaviours being associated with better emotional self-regulation. CONCLUSIONS: This cross-sectional study suggests that sleep may be important for emotional self-regulation in toddlers, but the role of physical activity remains unclear. These findings suggest that interventions targeting sleep duration and sleep behaviours during the early toddler years may benefit the positive development of emotional self-regulation skills in this population.

Examining the associations between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, sleep problems, and other mental health conditions in adolescents.

Adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience greater sleep difficulties compared to those without. However, findings are mixed, and other mental health conditions are often overlooked. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sleep problems, ADHD, and other mental health conditions in a sample of adolescents. Data from 373 adolescents aged 10-19 years was used as part of the wider 'Healthy Brain Network' study, which targets children and adolescents experiencing mental health and neurodevelopmental difficulties. Mental health conditions were assessed via a comprehensive assessment. Sleep was measured by self- and parent-report, as well as via up to a month of actigraphy data. Actigraphy data were analysed using mixed-methods modelling, while subjective sleep data were analysed using multiple regression. Subjectively-reported sleep was generally worse in adolescents who had ADHD and other mental health conditions compared to those with ADHD but no other conditions. There were no associations between ADHD status and objective sleep measures or self-reported measures, but a significant association was found between ADHD status and parent-reported sleep difficulties, even when accounting for other conditions. Parent-reported sleep problems were associated not only with ADHD, but also with anxiety, depression, and externalising disorders. The strength of association between ADHD and sleep problems is potentially not as strong as previously thought when considering the role of other mental health conditions. Clinicians should consider the role of other mental health conditions when sleep problems are present, and vice versa. The study also highlights the importance of comprehensive, multi-informant assessment of mental health conditions, including sleep.

Family Functioning in Children With ADHD and Subthreshold ADHD: A 3-Year Longitudinal Study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare family functioning over time for elementary school children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD; N = 179) and subthreshold ADHD (ST-ADHD; N = 86), to children without ADHD (Control; N = 212). METHOD: ADHD was assessed using the Conners 3 ADHD Index and Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children IV. At baseline, 18-month follow-up and 36-month follow-up, parents completed measures assessing a range of family functioning domains. RESULTS: At baseline, the ADHD group reported higher psychological distress, less parenting self-efficacy, less parenting consistency, and more stressful life events; and both groups reported poorer family quality of life (QoL) and greater parenting anger. Trajectories were largely similar to controls (i.e., stable over time), but unlike controls, ADHD and ST-ADHD groups showed lessening parent-partner support and parenting warmth, respectively; and both groups showed worsening aspects of family QoL. CONCLUSION: Families of children with ADHD and ST-ADHD report persistently poor or worsening family functioning; highlighting a need for tailored psycho-social supports.

Association between physical activity and self-regulation in early childhood: A systematic review.

Physical activity and self-regulation are important predictors of pediatric overweight and obesity. Young children (0-5 years) with lower physical activity levels and poorer self-regulation skills are at greater risk for overweight. Despite growing evidence that the two constructs are interrelated, their association remains unclear in young children. This review systematically summarized associations between physical activity and self-regulation in early childhood and explored the directionality of associations. Searches were run in six electronic databases. Forty-seven papers met inclusion criteria. Only three studies investigated all three domains of self-regulation (behavioral, cognitive, and emotional). Overall, findings were inconclusive; studies reported weak to moderate positive associations (n = 17), inverse associations (n = 5), mixed associations (n = 15), null association (n = 2), and negative (n = 1) between physical activity and self-regulation. Compared with the emotional and cognitive domains, physical activity was most consistently positively associated with behavioral self-regulation. Only one study assessed bidirectional associations, reporting a positive association. The three studies that included global self-regulation showed contradicting findings. There is some evidence that physical activity dose and sex potentially confound these associations; however, further research is needed given the paucity of studies. This review highlights the need for more in-depth investigation of the complex association between physical activity and global self-regulation.

Effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for improving the physical health of children and adolescents taking antipsychotic medications: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Children and adolescents are increasingly prescribed antipsychotic medications off-label in the treatment of behavioural disorders. While antipsychotic medications are effective in managing behavioural issues, they carry a significant risk of adverse events that compromise ongoing physical health. Of particular concern is the negative impact antipsychotic medications have on cardiometabolic health. Interventions that aim to modify lifestyle habits have the potential to alleviate the adverse effects of antipsychotic medication by enhancing weight management, increasing physical activity, promoting better nutritional practices, improving dietary habits and promoting healthier sleep patterns and sleep hygiene. However, a comprehensive review has not been performed to ascertain the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for children and adolescents who are at increased risk of antipsychotic-induced compromises to their physical health. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Four databases will be searched without any year constraints to identify randomised controlled trials that are published in the English language and report a lifestyle intervention compared with usual care with any physical health outcome measure. Trial registers and results repositories will be scoured to identify additional studies. Two reviewers will independently conduct screening, data extraction and quality assessment and compare the results. Quantitative data will be synthesised, where appropriate, through a random-effects meta-analysis model. Otherwise, data will be reported in a qualitative (narrative) synthesis. Heterogeneity will be quantified using the I2 statistic. The Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool will be used for risk of bias assessment. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system will be used to evaluate the cumulative body of evidence. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval is not required. The publication plan will target high-impact, peer-reviewed journals that fall under the scope of Psychiatry and Mental Health. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022380277.

Fronto-parietal white matter microstructure associated with working memory performance in children with ADHD.

INTRODUCTION: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with many functional impairments thought to be underpinned by difficulties in executive function domains such as working memory. The superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) plays an integral role in the development of working memory in neurotypical children. Neuroimaging research suggests reduced white matter organization of the SLF may contribute to working memory difficulties commonly seen in ADHD. This study aimed to examine the relationship between white matter organization of the SLF and working memory in children with ADHD. METHODS: We examined the association of tract volume and apparent fibre density (AFD) of the SLF with working memory in children with ADHD (n = 64) and controls (n = 58) aged 9-11years. Children completed a computerized spatial n-back task and underwent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI). Constrained spherical deconvolution-based tractography was used to construct the three branches of the SLF bilaterally and examine volume and AFD of the SLF. RESULTS: Regression analyses revealed children with ADHD exhibited poorer working memory, and lower volume and AFD of the left SLF-II compared to healthy controls. There was also an association between reaction time and variability (RT and RT-V) and the left SLF-II. Further analyses revealed volume of the left SLF-II mediated the relationship between ADHD and working memory performance (RT and RT-V). DISCUSSION: These findings add to the current body of ADHD literature, revealing the potential role of frontoparietal white matter in working memory difficulties in ADHD.

Variation in sleep profiles in children with ADHD and associated clinical characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Sleep difficulties are common in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, sleep problems are multifaceted and little is known about the variation in sleep difficulties across children with ADHD. We examined the profiles of sleep difficulties in children with ADHD and associated clinical factors (e.g. co-occurring mental health conditions, stimulant use and parent mental health). METHODS: Data from two harmonised studies of children with ADHD (total: N = 392, ages 5-13 years) were used. Parents completed measures of children's sleep, co-occurring mental health conditions and their own mental health. Both parents and teachers completed measures of child ADHD symptoms and emotional and conduct symptoms. Latent profile analysis was used to identify sleep profiles, and multinomial logistic regression assessed clinical correlates of the groups. RESULTS: Five sleep profiles were identified: (a) insomnia/delayed sleep phase (36%), (b) generalised sleep difficulties at sleep onset and overnight (25%), (c) high anxious/bedtime resistance difficulties (11%), (d) overnight sleep difficulties including obstructive sleep apnoea and parasomnias (5%) and (e) no sleep difficulties (22%). Compared with the group without sleep difficulties, the generalised, anxious/bedtime resistance and insomnia/delayed sleep phase sleep had greater parent-reported emotional and conduct symptoms, co-occurring anxiety and increased parent mental health difficulties. The generalised and anxious/bedtime resistance groups also had greater parent-reported ADHD symptoms, with the anxious/bedtime resistance sleep group also having more frequent co-occurring depression and teacher-reported emotional symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The sleep difficulties experienced by children with ADHD are varied. Supports to help children with ADHD need to consider the particular profiles of sleep difficulties experienced and broader clinical characteristics. Tailored intervention approaches are likely needed (including a need to address parent mental health).

Categorical and dimensional approaches to the developmental relationship between ADHD and irritability.

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and irritability commonly co-occur, and follow similar developmental trajectories from childhood to adolescence. Understanding of the developmental relationship between these co-occurrences is limited. This study provides a longitudinal assessment of how ADHD diagnostic status and symptom patterns predict change in irritability. METHODS: A community sample of 337 participants (45.2% ADHD), recruited for the Childhood Attention Project, completed the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI) to measure irritability at baseline (mean age 10.5 years) and follow-up after 18-months. Latent change score models were used to assess how (a) baseline ADHD vs. control group status, (b) baseline symptom domain (inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity) and (c) longitudinal change in ADHD symptom severity predicted change in irritability. RESULTS: Irritability was significantly higher among the ADHD group than controls; however, change in irritability over time did not differ between groups. When assessed across the entire cohort, change in irritability was predicted by higher symptom count in the hyperactive-impulsive domain, but not the inattentive domain. Greater declines in ADHD symptoms over time significantly predicted greater declines in irritability. Baseline ADHD symptom severity was found to significantly predict change in irritability; however, baseline irritability did not significantly predict change in ADHD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: ADHD symptoms-particularly hyperactive-impulsive symptoms-predict the degree and trajectory of irritability during childhood and adolescence, even when symptoms are below diagnostic thresholds. The use of longitudinal, dimensional and symptom domain-specific measures provides additional insight into this relationship.

Longitudinal Associations Between COVID-19 Stress and the Mental Health of Children With ADHD.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the longitudinal associations between COVID-19 induced stress (related to COVID-19 restrictions/changes), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, oppositional symptoms, and mental health outcomes (negative affect, anxiety, depression, and irritability) in children with ADHD during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Parents of 140 Australian children with ADHD (aged 5-17 years) completed an online survey in May 2020 during stay-at-home restrictions and 12-months later. RESULTS: Baseline COVID-19 stress was associated with increased total ADHD symptom severity (ß = .21, p = .007) and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms (ß = .23, p = .002) at 12-months, after accounting for covariates (i.e., child age, gender, ADHD medication, socio-economic status, and baseline symptoms). Despite some indication of associations between baseline COVID-19 stress and 12-month oppositional symptoms and negative affect, these were attenuated when adjusting for baseline symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The study provides initial evidence of the medium-term impacts of pandemic-related stress for children with ADHD.

The Australian evidence-based clinical practice guideline for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article was to provide an overview of the development and recommendations from the Australian evidence-based clinical practice guideline for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The guideline aims to promote accurate and timely identification and diagnosis, and optimal and consistent treatment of ADHD. METHODS: Development integrated the best available evidence with multidisciplinary clinical expertise and the preferences of those with lived experience, underpinned by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. The 23 guideline development group members included psychiatrists, paediatricians, general practitioners, psychologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, educators, Indigenous psychologists, and people with a lived experience; with two independent chairs and a methodologist. Where appropriate, evidence reviews from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) 2018 'Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnosis and Management' guideline were updated. Fifty prioritised clinical questions were addressed in 14 systematic reviews (new and updated from NICE 2018) and 28 narrative reviews. RESULTS: The 113 clinical recommendations apply to young children (5 years and under), children, adolescents and adults. They provide guidance for clinicians on identification, screening, diagnosis, multimodal treatment and support, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. The guideline and supporting information are available online: https://adhdguideline.aadpa.com.au/. CONCLUSIONS: The guideline was approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia and relevant medical and allied health professional associations. It is anticipated that successful implementation and uptake of the guideline by organisations, health care providers and other professionals will increase delivery of evidence-based treatment and improve health outcomes for the more than 800,000 Australians with ADHD.

Longitudinal Trajectories of White Matter Development in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Few longitudinal studies have investigated whether white matter development reflects differential outcomes for children with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To examine whether deviations from typical trajectories of white matter development were associated with the persistence or remission of ADHD symptoms, this study examined microstructural and morphological properties of 71 white matter tracts from 390 high angular diffusion scans acquired prospectively for 62 children with persistent ADHD, 37 children remitted from ADHD, and 85 children without ADHD. METHODS: Participants (mean age at wave 1 = 10.39 years, scan interval = 18 months) underwent up to 3 magnetic resonance imaging assessments. White matter tracts were reconstructed using TractSeg, a semiautomated method. For each tract, we derived measures of fiber density (microstructure) and fiber bundle cross-section (morphology) using fixel-based analysis. Linear mixed models were used to compare trajectories of fiber development between the persistent ADHD, remitted ADHD, and non-ADHD groups. RESULTS: Compared with the non-ADHD group, the remitted and persistent ADHD groups showed accelerated fiber development in thalamic pathways, striatal pathways, and the superior longitudinal fasciculus. In the remitted ADHD group, accelerated fiber development in corticospinal, frontopontine, striatal-premotor, and thalamo-premotor pathways was associated with greater reductions in ADHD symptom severity. The persistent ADHD group showed ongoing white matter alterations along sensorimotor pathways. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that variations in white matter development are associated with different clinical trajectories in ADHD. The findings advance our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underpinning ADHD symptom progression and provide novel evidence in support of developmental models of ADHD.

Against the use of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 2-15 years.

OBJECTIVE: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire is a widely used screening tool for emotional and behavioural problems in children. Recent quantitative analyses have raised concerns regarding its structural validity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This paper aims to extend upon existing findings by analysing the factor structure of both the parent- and teacher-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in this population across a broader age range than in previous studies. METHODS: Participants were the caregivers and teachers of 1624 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (820 male, 804 female) aged 2-15 years from Waves 2-11 of the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children. The majority of children were Aboriginal living in major cities and inner regional areas. Internal consistency was estimated with McDonald's Omega. Exploratory structural equation modelling was conducted to investigate the factor structure of the parent-reported and teacher-reported versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. RESULTS: Responses from teachers demonstrated higher internal consistency than responses from parents, which was unacceptably low across most age groups. The purported five-factor structure of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire failed to be replicated across both parent- and teacher-reported questionnaires. The results of bifactor and hierarchical exploratory structural equation models also failed to approximate the higher-order summary scales. These results indicate that the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire subscales and summary scores do not provide a valid index of emotional and behavioural problems in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. CONCLUSION: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire should not be used with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

The Impact of Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on Children's Health-Related Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between children's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHOD: Databases were systematically searched for peer-reviewed literature published between 2010 and 2022. Two reviewers independently screened and assessed the quality of included studies. Meta-analysis was conducted for studies that used the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). RESULTS: Twenty-three studies were included, with most rated as "good" quality. Meta-analysis found "very large" effect in both parent- (Hedges' g -1.67, 95% CI [-2.57, -0.78]) and child-reported (Hedges' g -1.28, 95% CI [-2.01, -0.56]) HRQoL for children with ADHD compared to children without ADHD. No difference between parent- and child-reported HRQoL in children with and without ADHD was found. However, parent-reported HRQoL was lower than child-reported HRQoL among children with ADHD. CONCLUSION: ADHD was associated with substantially poorer children's HRQoL. Among children with ADHD, parents rated their children's HRQoL lower than the children themselves.

Associations Between ADHD, Sleep Problems, and Mental Health Symptoms in Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined associations between objective and subjective sleep parameters, and mental health symptoms (internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and irritability) and whether these relationships differed for adolescents with and without ADHD. METHOD: Participants were 373 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years (M = 13.21, SD = 2.37). Sleep was measured both via actigraphy and self- and parent-report scales. Mental health symptoms were measured via a range of validated measures. RESULTS: Few relationships were detected when examining actigraphy variables. Subjective sleep parameters were associated with almost all mental health variables. Some relationships were moderated by ADHD status, generally consistent with stronger relationships between subjective sleep quality and mental health in the non-ADHD group. CONCLUSION: Sleep problems, particularly subjective difficulties, are associated with a range of mental health outcomes, regardless of the presence of ADHD. Sleep problems may be a beneficial intervention target for adolescents experiencing mental health issues.

Practitioner Review: It's time to bridge the gap - understanding the unmet needs of consumers with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder - a systematic review and recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the unmet needs of healthcare consumers with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (individuals with ADHD and their caregivers) provides critical insight into gaps in services, education and research that require focus and funding to improve outcomes. This review examines the unmet needs of ADHD consumers from a consumer perspective. METHODS: A standardised search protocol identified peer-reviewed studies published between December 2011 and December 2021 focusing on consumer-identified needs relating to ADHD clinical care or research priorities. RESULTS: 1,624 articles were screened with 23 studies that reviewed examining the needs of ADHD consumers from Europe, the U.K., Hong Kong, Iran, Australia, the U.S.A. and Canada. Consumer-identified needs related to: treatment that goes beyond medication (12 studies); improved ADHD-related education/training (17 studies); improved access to clinical services, carer support and financial assistance (14 studies); school accommodations/support (6 studies); and ongoing treatment efficacy research (1 study). CONCLUSION: ADHD consumers have substantial unmet needs in clinical, psychosocial and research contexts. Recommendations to address these needs include: improving access to and quality of multimodal care provision; incorporating recovery principles into care provision; fostering ADHD health literacy; and increasing consumer participation in research, service development and ADHD-related training/education.

Associations Between Anxiety and Home Learning Difficulties in Children and Adolescents with ADHD During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has markedly impacted functioning for children and adolescents including those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We explored home learning difficulties (HLD) during COVID-19 restrictions in Australian children (aged 5-17) with ADHD, aiming to: (1) describe home learning experiences, and (2) examine associations between child anxiety (i.e., concurrent anxiety symptoms and pre-existing anxiety disorder status) and HLD. Baseline data from the longitudinal ADHD COVID-19 Survey were used (n = 122). Parents reported on school factors and HLD; pre-existing anxiety and co-occurring difficulties; anxiety, ADHD, and oppositional symptoms; demographics; and medications. Parents retrospectively reported more children often looked forward to school pre-pandemic, than during the pandemic. Anxiety symptoms, but not pre-existing anxiety disorder status, were associated with HLD after accounting for covariates. ADHD inattention symptoms were also associated with HLD. Results support recommendations to continue pre-pandemic supports to assist with ADHD symptoms during home learning, and strategies/supports for families are discussed.

Co-designed Mindful Parenting for Parents of Children with ADHD: A Pilot and Feasibility Study.

This mixed-methods single arm pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of a co-designed mindful parenting intervention for parents of children with ADHD, Parents that Mind (PTM). The 5-week parent-only intervention comprised two face-to-face group retreats and 5 weeks home practice. Eighteen parents of children with ADHD participated in PTM, completing self-report questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Indicating high acceptability, 100% of parents interviewed reported PTM was helpful and they would recommend PTM. High feasibility of parents attending one face-to-face retreat was observed, with all parents attending the first retreat, however intervention adherence was challenging, with 55% of parents attending the second retreat. Barriers to intervention adherence included: lack of time, work commitments, illness and exhaustion. Quantitative data indicate promising preliminary effects for parents and children. Addressing the barriers raised by parents in this pilot appear necessary, before examining efficacy in a blinded RCT.

Randomised Controlled Trial of a Behavioural Sleep Intervention, 'Sleeping Sound', for Autistic Children: 12-Month Outcomes and Moderators of Treatment.

This study examined the sustained and moderating effects of a behavioural sleep intervention for autistic children in a randomised controlled trial. Autistic children (5-13 years) with sleep problems were randomised to the Sleeping Sound intervention or Treatment as Usual (TAU). At 12-month follow-up (n = 150), caregivers of children in the Sleeping Sound group reported greater reduction in child sleep problems compared to TAU (p < .001, effect size: - 0.4). The long-term benefits of the intervention were greater for children taking sleep medication, children of parents who were not experiencing psychological distress, and children with greater autism severity. The Sleeping Sound intervention demonstrated sustained improvements in child sleep. Identified moderators may inform treatment by indicating which subgroups may benefit from further support.