scholarly journals Impact of mentoring on socio‐emotional and mental health outcomes of youth with learning disabilities and attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie L. Haft ◽  
Tiffany Chen ◽  
Chloe LeBlanc ◽  
Francesca Tencza ◽  
Fumiko Hoeft
2020 ◽  

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms combined with high levels of irritability during childhood is a significant predictor of subsequent mental health problems and suicidality in adolescence, according to findings from a new study.


Author(s):  
Rose Swansburg ◽  
Tasmia Hai ◽  
Frank P MacMaster ◽  
Jean-François Lemay

Abstract Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic created an environment of restricted access to health and recreation services. Lifestyle habits including sleep, eating, exercise, and screen use were modified, potentially exacerbating adverse mental health outcomes. This study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on lifestyle habits and mental health symptoms in paediatric attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Canada. Methods An online survey was distributed across Canada to caregivers of children with ADHD (children aged 5 to 18 years) assessing depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), ADHD (SNAP-IV), and lifestyle behaviours. Data were analyzed by gender (male/female) and age category (5 to 8, 9 to 12, and 13 to 18 years). Spearman’s correlations between lifestyle habits and mental health outcomes were conducted. Results A total of 587 surveys were completed. Mean child age was 10.14 years (SD 3.06), including 166 females (28.3%). The PHQ-9 and GAD-7 indicated that 17.4% and 14.1% of children met criteria for moderately severe to severe depression and anxiety symptoms respectively. Children met SNAP-IV cut-off scores for inattention (73.7%), hyperactivity/impulsivity (66.8%), and oppositional defiant disorder (38.6%) behaviours. Caregivers reported changes in sleep (77.5%), eating (58.9%), exercise (83.7%), and screen use (92.9%) in their ADHD child, greatly impacting youth. Sleeping fewer hours/night, eating more processed foods, and watching TV/playing videogames >3.5 hours/day correlated with greater depression, anxiety and ADHD symptoms, and exercising <1 hour/day further correlated with depression symptoms (P<0.01). Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in less healthy lifestyle habits and increased mental health symptoms in Canadian children with ADHD. Longitudinal studies to better understand the relationship between these factors are recommended.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Price ◽  
Astrid Janssens ◽  
Tamsin Newlove-Delgado ◽  
Helen Eke ◽  
Moli Paul ◽  
...  

Background UK clinical guidelines recommend treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults by suitably qualified clinical teams. However, young people with ADHD attempting the transition from children's to adults’ services experience considerable difficulties in accessing care. Aims To map the mental health services in the UK for adults who have ADHD and compare the reports of key stakeholders (people with ADHD and their carers, health workers, service commissioners). Method A survey about the existence and extent of service provision for adults with ADHD was distributed online and via national organisations (e.g. Royal College of Psychiatrists, the ADHD Foundation). Freedom of information requests were sent to commissioners. Descriptive analysis was used to compare reports from the different stakeholders. Results A total of 294 unique services were identified by 2686 respondents. Of these, 44 (15%) were dedicated adult ADHD services and 99 (34%) were generic adult mental health services. Only 12 dedicated services (27%) provided the full range of treatments recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Only half of the dedicated services (55%) and a minority of other services (7%) were reported by all stakeholder groups (P < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). Conclusions There is geographical variation in the provision of NHS services for adults with ADHD across the UK, as well as limited availability of treatments in the available services. Differences between stakeholder reports raise questions about equitable access. With increasing numbers of young people with ADHD graduating from children's services, developing evidence-based accessible models of care for adults with ADHD remains an urgent policy and commissioning priority.


Author(s):  
Laura Harris-Lane ◽  
Jacqueline Hesson ◽  
Ken Fowler ◽  
Nicholas Harris

Positive mental health in youth has important implications for overall well-being. This study examined the extent to which different types of social support are associated with positive mental health among individuals, ages 15–24, diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Compared to respondents without a diagnosis of ADHD, those with a diagnosis had significantly lower scores on measures of positive mental health and on four of five types of social support. Among the five types of social support, social integration and reassurance of worth were found to be significant predictors of positive mental health in respondents diagnosed with ADHD.


Author(s):  
Robert L. Mapou

Testing to determine if adolescents or adults have a specific learning disorder or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a niche practice area for psychologists experienced with assessment. Testing may be done to update earlier documentation or to determine whether an individual having difficulty in school or on the job has a learning disability or ADHD that accounts for his or her difficulties. Often, one goal of these evaluations is to determine if an individual qualifies for accommodations on classroom and standardized tests. This chapter describe the author’s training and the information clinicians need to have to complete these evaluations. Clinicians must be familiar with research on learning disabilities and ADHD in adolescents and adults, so that their evaluations will be evidence based, and with disability law. The positive and negative aspects of this practice area and business considerations are discussed. The chapter concludes with advice for how clinicians interested in these evaluations can obtain training.


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