MichiganRadio

Study: Minority Families Get Less Information about ADHD ANN ARBOR, MI (Associated Press) - Michigan State University researchers say minority families don't get enough information about treatments for a common childhood disorder.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder --or ADHD -- affects up to 7 percent of American children.

They often behave impulsively and have trouble concentrating.

John Carlson is an associate professor of school psychology at MSU.

His study finds that black and Latino children are less likely than whites to get combined medication and counseling.

"Knowledge about evidence-based interventions for children's mental health problems just isn't being shared and disseminated to all families -- that's what we're concerned about," Carlson says.

Carlson says schools are the ideal place for parents to get information about ADHD but funding cuts have led to fewer services.

He also says programs such as Medicaid may pay for medications, but not psychological counseling for ADHD children or training for their parents.
© Copyright 2012, Associated Press