African Americans and AD/HD

"African American parents may perceive that providers are not interested or are culturally incompetent to address parental concerns sensitively." *

"More African Americans than Hispanics and others, indicated a concern that racial background could be a factor that might serve as a barrier to ADHD treatment." **

Although individuals with ADHD can be very successful in life, untreated ADHD may have serious consequences. These may include school failure, family stress and disruption, depression, problems with relationships, substance abuse, delinquency, risk for accidental injuries and job failure. To minimize these consequences, early identification and treatment for ADHD is essential. This is especially true for African-American children and others from communities historically underserved by the medical and mental health systems.

Dr. Janice L. Cooper, PhD, a health services researcher who has focused on quality of care for children and youth with ADHD, will be answering questions from those affected by the barriers that African Americans face when seeking treatment for ADHD. This chat is for parents, family members, school teachers, health care professionals and friends who are concerned about overcoming the challenges of receiving quality care for African-American children with ADHD. Dr. Cooper will be answering questions about:

• How African American families may access appropriate interventions
• How individuals can confront stigma and misunderstandings about ADHD in their communities
• What roles African American families can play in increasing early identification and interventions for their children
• How to overcome other ADHD related obstacles having to do with quality of care, ethnicity, and cultural competence

African American Children with ADHD: Overcoming Stigmas and Barriers will take place Friday, August 20th at 1:30 to 3:00 pm (Eastern time). See Ask the Expert for more information about our future chats and how to participate.

About Janice Cooper:

Dr. Janice L. Cooper directs the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP). She is a health services researcher who specializes in children's mental health. She received her PhD in Health Policy from Harvard University. Her research has focused on quality of care for children and youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), cultural and linguistic competence and mental health financing. Since 2005, she has led NCCP's work on Children's Mental Health. She was the lead author on Unclaimed Children Revisited. She also teaches Child Health Policy at the Mailman School of Public Health of Columbia University.

Dr. Cooper has served as an Associate for Abt Associates, Director of the Children's Mental Health Division in the State of Minnesota, Director of the New York State Coalition for School-Based Primary Care, and as Coordinator for the Christian Health Association of Liberia's AIDS and Family Life Education program. She is an appointee to the New York State Mental Health Services Council and a member of the Multicultural Advisory Committee of the New York State Office of Mental Health. She is also a former board member of the American College of Mental Health Administration (ACMHA).

* Improving Advocacy for African American Children with AD/HD, Attention, October 2005, v12, n5, p 32-37 / Gary, Faye A.; Bussing, Regina.

** AD/HD: Cultural Attitudes & Perceptions, Attention, June 2003, v9, n6, p 38-41,45 / Taylor-Crawford, Karen; Richardson, Jerome; Madison-Boyd, Sybil.