Parental knowledge, services and supports for ADHD adolescents in a substance abuse program

Involvement, or lack of, by the family, especially the parents, in the diagnosis and treatment processes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children is an area deserving attention. One negative result of neglected ADHD can be developmental delays, such as substance abuse. The purpose of this study was to identify levels of parental knowledge, what ADHD services and supports had, or are now being accessed by parents and what parents consider are the most troublesome issues arising from ADHD. The non-random convenience sample consisted of 39 parents of ADHD substance abusing adolescents who attended an intake session at Calgary AADAC Youth Services Centre between September 1999, and June 2000. The results of the non-standardized questionnaire revealed, that at least for this sample, ADHD knowledge was not comprehensive, many supports had, or were being, accessed but frustration remained high and behaviour and focus issues were the highest of many parental ADHD concerns.