ADHD, Bilingualism, and Executive Functions
THIS MONTH’S RESEARCH UPDATE focuses on the joint effects of ADHD and bilingualism on executive functions. What are the joint effects of ADHD and bilingualism? Executive functions (EF) are mental processes that enable us to control thoughts and actions towards a goal. Previous studies have documented lower levels of EF among those with ADHD. On…
Read MoreLatinx Youth with ADHD
This month’s research update focuses on the development of symptoms and treatment of ADHD in Latinx youth. A longitudinal study of Mexican-origin youth The first study associated factors like gender, nativity, and cultural values with the symptomatic expression of ADHD and other behavioral disorders in a community sample of 674 Mexican-origin youth. This longitudinal study…
Read MorePositive Features of ADHD
This research update focuses on one overarching topic: potential positive and helpful features of ADHD. Are there positive aspects to having ADHD? The first paper utilized qualitative interviews to explore and describe positive aspects of ADHD. Researchers interviewed six adult males with high-functioning ADHD (i.e., recently receiving an ADHD diagnosis and medication prescription while also…
Read MoreHow Do Prenatal Factors Impact ADHD?
This research update focuses on one overarching question: How do prenatal factors impact ADHD? The first study we discuss examined the impact of birthweight on ADHD in a meta-analysis. The second study examined the impact of maternal stress and psychosocial adversity on ADHD in a prospective cohort study. Birth weight and ADHD The first study…
Read MoreCelebrating Emerging ADHD Researchers
CHADD IS PLEASED TO PRESENT the 2018 Young Scientist Research Awards to Connor H.G. Patros, PhD, and Patrick A. LaCount, MS. Selected from a pool of well-qualified applicants by experts in the field, these young researchers are making contributions to our understanding of ADHD. Application reviewers from CHADD’s Professional Advisory Board examined the research study…
Read MoreADHD and Family Stress
THIS RESEARCH UPDATE focuses on the impact of ADHD on parenting and family stress. The reviewed studies also examined whether reductions in parenting stress follow ADHD treatment. How are early ADHD symptoms associated with family stress? Prior studies have documented higher levels of stress among parents and families of children with ADHD. This study sought…
Read MoreBenefits and Risks of Medication Treatment
THE DECISION TO MEDICATE a child with ADHD is difficult. Likewise, deciding whether someone should begin or stop treatment for ADHD as an adult can also be hard. There is a lot of conflicting information. The news and social media have accounts of people benefiting from medication, while there also are stories extolling grave dangers associated…
Read MoreStressful Experiences and Risk for ADHD
THIS RESEARCH UPDATE focuses on a single overarching question: Does exposure to stressful experiences put children at risk for ADHD? The two studies featured highlight the importance of understanding what researchers are measuring when trying to reconcile seemingly contradictory findings. The first study utilized data from a large study of twins and sought to understand…
Read MoreTreatment Intensity, Genetics, and ADHD
This research update focuses on the impact of treatment intensity on outcomes among teens and the genetics of sex differences in the prevalence of ADHD. Does treatment intensity matter? In this study, researchers compared the effectiveness of a high-intensity versus a low-intensity skills-based summer intervention in a sample of 325 adolescents with ADHD. The study…
Read More2017 Young Scientist Research Awards
DURING THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ADHD in Atlanta, Georgia, CHADD presented the 2017 Young Scientist Research Awards to Matthew J. Gormley, PhD, and Jaclyn Kamradt, MA. These emerging researchers were selected from a pool of outstanding applicants for their academic achievements, research studies record, professor recommendations, and planned future contributions to the field. Their…
Read MoreADHD & Teen Pregnancy; Micronutrients & Behavior Improvement
IN THIS ISSUE, we highlight two studies: One focused on risk for early pregnancy among youth with ADHD, and another describing a randomized controlled trial for a vitamin-mineral treatment in children with ADHD. RISK OF EARLY PREGNANCY Are children with ADHD at greater risk for early pregnancy and why? Many prior studies have revealed that…
Read MorePredicting ADHD Symptoms
Predicting ADHD Symptoms THIS RESEARCH UPDATE will focus on predicting ADHD symptoms-inattention and hyperactivity impulsivity- from both behavioral and biological measurements. ADOLESCENT ADHD SYMPTOMS Can adolescent ADHD symptoms be predicted from early childhood temperament? Although ADHD tends not to be diagnosed until children are seven or eight years old, many parents report that they noticed…
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