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Knowledge and Attitudes about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its Treatment: The Views of Children, Adolescents, Parents, Teachers and Healthcare Professionals

  • Attention-Deficit Disorder (R Bussing, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neuro-developmental disorder that causes controversy; this may have a negative effect on the ability of families, teachers and healthcare professionals to achieve shared understanding and goals. This article reviews recent research of the knowledge and attitudes of children, adolescents, parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and the public about ADHD. Findings suggest that misconceptions about ADHD persist, and children with ADHD and their parents report stigmatizing experiences. Educational interventions to improve the knowledge of teachers about ADHD appeared to be effective in the short term. Parents and professionals working together in the diagnosis and treatment of children with ADHD may have different views about their roles in the shared decision-making process. Studies have reported both similarities and differences in parents’ and professionals’ views about the effectiveness of treatments for ADHD, but all stakeholders supported the principles of information-sharing and working in partnership.

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References

Recently published papers of particular interest have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Acknowledgments

The authors are partly funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) for Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, UK. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the National Health Service, the NIHR or the Department of Health.

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Conflict of Interest

Maria Moldavsky and Kapil Sayal declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and University of Nottingham, Thorneywood, Porchester Road, Nottingham, NG3 6LF, UK

    Maria Moldavsky & Kapil Sayal

  2. Division of Psychiatry and Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK

    Kapil Sayal

Authors
  1. Maria Moldavsky
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  2. Kapil Sayal
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Correspondence to Maria Moldavsky.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Attention-Deficit Disorder

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Moldavsky, M., Sayal, K. Knowledge and Attitudes about Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and its Treatment: The Views of Children, Adolescents, Parents, Teachers and Healthcare Professionals. Curr Psychiatry Rep 15, 377 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-013-0377-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-013-0377-0

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