ADHD in the News 2022-01-20

How COVID-19 Increases Challenges for Youth with ADHD

Compared to their peers, youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to experience significant impairment in school functioning and mental health, confirms new research. Mix in the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruptions are even greater...The paper...by doctoral students in Lehigh University’s school psychology program, George DuPaul, professor of school psychology, and colleagues from Ohio University and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, was published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.  



ADHD, Infections, and the Immune System

Researchers from the Geha Mental Health Center, Mount Sinai, and Cambridge Health Alliance presented on the connections between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and childhood infectious diseases—as well as COVID-19—at the recent 2022 American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD) virtual conference.



Helicopter Parenting & Adolescents With ADHD: Associations and Conclusions

Helicopter parenting is understudied, especially in parents of adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). At the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD) 2022 virtual conference, Brooke Molina, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh and her colleagues presented a poster detailing their findings on the psychometric properties of helicopter parenting in adolescents with ADHD.



What About the Little Guys: ADHD in Preschool

“ADHD in preschool children is a valid and reliable condition,” Ann Childress, MD, told attendees of the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders 2022 Conference. Research data support this notion, explained Childress, president of the Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Inc, and adjunct associate professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine and Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine.



ADHD in Sexual and Gender Minority College Students

College students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and college students who identify as a sexuality and gender minority (SGM), respectively, have an increased risk for functional impairments, psychiatric comorbidities, and engagement in risky behaviors...In a poster presentation at the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD) 2022 virtual conference, Orantes and her colleagues shared their findings from their recent research on the topic.



Sex, Drugs, and ADHD

In the poster presentation, “Sex, Drugs, and ADHD: Sexual Health and Moderators of Risk in College Students,” Ashley Rohacek, study coauthor, reviewed previous research suggesting links between ADHD diagnosis with earlier and more frequent sexual activity, and with increased likelihood of using alcohol and cannabis, as well as links between alcohol and cannabis use with more frequent sexual activity among the general population.



ADHD Is All About Power, Paradox, and Pain

KEY POINTS: There are validated, scientific reasons for the huge disparity in strengths and weaknesses for people with ADHD. Pain, power, and paradoxes are all common components of ADHD. It is helpful to create a positive environment for yourself. Surround yourself with people who support, not criticize or tease.



Postural Sway: How ADHD and Anxiety May Manifest in the Body

Our muscles and brain are both heavily involved in maintaining proper balance and motor function. In essence, they work as a team to keep us from falling over and help us perform daily activities. However, in certain groups of people, staying balanced while standing can be a challenge. In particular, research has found a strong connection between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and increased postural sway.



Introducing the APSARD Health Equity Task Force

A panel of researchers representing the American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD) Health Equity Task Force participated in an invited symposia on the effects of inequity on minority populations in relation to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the 2022 APSARD virtual conference on January 14.



What to Know About Echolalia and Children With ADHD

Echolalia is when a person repeats what another person has said, either immediately after or later on. Echolalia is a normal part of language development but usually stops by about age 3 when children have acquired more developed language skills. If a person over age 3 is still regularly engaging in echolalia, it's possible something else is at play.1 Echolalia is usually associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but some people with ADHD also engage in echolalia.



Students with attention problems more likely to cheat

Researchers found that inattention led to hyperactivity in the students, and both together contributed to higher levels of cheating. The issue is important because many students with attention problems don't get an official diagnosis, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, said Eric Anderman, lead author of the study and professor of educational psychology at The Ohio State University.



Reinforcement/Reward Mechanisms: Interventions for Executive Functioning

How do children with ADHD respond differently to reward and punishment, and how can we help them improve their executive functions? A group of researchers presented on executive dysfunction and altered response to reward and punishment in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the 2022 American Professional Society of ADHD and Related Disorders (APSARD) virtual conference.