Black History Month

Black Americans are diagnosed with ADHD more often than other groups, but they often face barriers to receiving the health services they need. These articles, podcasts, webinars, and conference presentation can help promote a better understanding of the challenges and what can be done to break down the barriers.

VIDEOS

2022 Annual International Conference on ADHD

Lost in the Transitions: The Impact of Under-Recognized ADHD in Marginalized Communities Across the Lifespan

ADHD occurs across the lifespan, affecting individuals and outcomes. This talk focuses on how marginalized communities are affected by undertreated ADHD. The presenter looks at the issue of bias in clinicians and educators and discusses how this bias affects diagnosis and treatment. The intent is to close the gap regarding treatment and prevent poor outcomes from ADHD.

Napoleon Higgins

Napoleon Higgins, MD

Napoleon Higgins, MD, is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist in Houston, Texas, and the owner of Bay Pointe Behavioral Health Services and South East Houston Research Group. Dr. Higgins also serves as the executive director of Black Psychiatrists of America and CEO of Global Health Psychiatry. He is the author and coauthor of multiple books on ADHD, depression and grief, Black mental health, and physician practice issues. He specializes in nutrition and health to improve the lives of his patients mentally and physically.

If you would like to access other sessions and handouts from the 2022 Annual International Conference on ADHD, click here for more information.

Why Is Untreated ADHD Contributing to the Increasing Suicide Rate Among Black Youth?Delane Casiano, MD, and Napoleon Higgins, MD, present a session on the increased number of suicides in Black youth with ADHD. They describe contributing factors such as lack of access to mental health services, bullying, news media, social media, and racism. They also discuss barriers to treatment such as stigma and suggest strategies to decrease risks and increase resilience factors in the Black community.
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Promoting Mental Health for Black CommunitiesHarolyn Belcher, MD, discusses root causes of health disparities related to mental health conditions and treatment and offers culturally responsive solutions to promote mental health and wellness for Black children, youth, and families.
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Disparities in ADHD Care for BIPOC Children and AdolescentsAdiaha Spinks-Franklin, MD, discusses how social determinants of health and implicit bias from some physicians negatively affect ADHD diagnosis and treatment for children and adolescents of color.
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Treating ADHD in the African American CommunityMistrust and stigma can prevent African American parents from seeking help for their children who are affected by ADHD. Cheryl Hamilton, a licensed professional counselor, says a plan that includes parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals can help African American children succeed when they have ADHD.
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PODCASTS

How to Improve the Educational Experience of African American StudentsDr. Joy Banks speaks on the overrepresentation and disparities in treatment of African American students in Special Education specifically for students with ADHD. She also shares the steps schools must take to create environments where all students can thrive.
African Americans, ADHD, and Dysregulated Eating: What's Going On?Roberto Olivardia, PhD, stresses the importance of a proper ADHD diagnosis from culturally knowledgeable healthcare providers, while also spotlighting the barriers encountered by Black individuals to receiving good healthcare management and treatment options.
Helping African American Students with ADHD SucceedAnita Stoddard, PhD, is the principal of Doswell E. Brooks Elementary School in Capitol Heights, Maryland, a predominantly African American school. In this podcast, she shares her perspective on how ADHD affects her students and community.
Health Disparities: Barriers to ADHD Diagnosis and TreatmentWhat are the consequences of late diagnosis and treatment for ADHD in underserved and disenfranchised communities? Brandi Walker, PhD, shares her insights into what healthcare providers, parents, and educators can do to decrease health disparities in the United States.
Is it ADHD? Disparities in ADHD Care of Black ChildrenNekeshia Hammond, PsyD, discusses how ADHD symptoms affect daily functioning, how ADHD is perceived within different communities, why African Americans may not be receiving the recommended treatments, and the challenges that can cause ADHD-like symptoms and lead to incomplete treatment. She explains how parents can make sure their child receives proper care and how professionals can work together to provide more culturally competent care.
Overcoming Myths and Mistrust About ADHD in the Black CommunityAfrican American parents often question the validity of their child’s ADHD diagnosis due to past experiences with inappropriate evaluations made by the medical community. What steps should they take to ensure their child is getting a proper assessment? Nekeshia Hammond, PsyD, explains what parents need to know and why healthcare professionals and educators need training on cultural competence.
Combating ADHD in the African American CommunityUntreated or undiagnosed ADHD among African American youth creates a higher risk for dropping out of school, abusing drugs, and becoming engaged in delinquent activities that may lead to incarceration. ADHD advocate Evelyn Polk-Green discusses combating ADHD in the African American community.

ARTICLES

Living Black with Undiagnosed and Untreated ADHDMajor Brandi Walker, PhD, gives insight into the Black community’s reluctance to discuss mental health matters, myths about diagnosis and treatment, the consequences of undiagnosed and untreated ADHD, the importance of comprehensive assessment, and much more.
ADHD and the Increasing Suicide Rate Among Black YouthPsychiatrist Napoleon Higgins, MD, makes recommendations for educators and healthcare providers about cultural sensitivity and offers advice for parents on ADHD diagnosis, treatment, and suicide prevention.
Healthcare Disparities and ADHDBy coming to a shared understanding, caregivers, providers, and advocates can continue working collectively to reduce barriers to ADHD diagnosis and disparities in treatment.
Challenges in ADHD Care for Children of Color – PART ONEPsychologist Roberto Olivardia, PhD, talks about empowering African American parents and families so they can advocate for their children, especially when facing a culturally insensitive school system or medical clinician.
Challenges in ADHD Care for Children of Color – PART TWOPsychologist Roberto Olivardia, PhD, explains the barriers to mental health care in the Black community and offers ways healthcare practitioners and educators can provide services for different cultures.
Black Adults Who Live with ADHDCultural concerns need to be addressed for Black adults to receive proper evaluation and effective treatment for ADHD.
Addressing Barriers and Disparities: Black Americans and ADHDExcerpts from podcasts featuring guest experts Brandi Walker, PhD, Evelyn Polk Green, MSEd, and Nekeshia Hammond, PsyD, are highlighted in this article.

Find additional resources at ADHD and Diverse Populations: African American Community and in the Library Catalog of CHADD’s National Resource Center on ADHD.

Black History MonthBlack History Month
The information provided by CHADD’s National Resource Center on ADHD is supported by Cooperative Agreement Number NU38DD000002 funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).