RESEARCH 1:

Only about half of preschoolers with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder receive psychological services, according to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Investigators looked at health-care claims data from more than 5 million children ages 2 to 5 who were insured by Medicaid between 2008 and 2011, and about 1 million young children insured through employer-sponsored insurance. In both groups, more than 75 percent of young children diagnosed with ADHD received medication to treat the condition. Only 54 percent of young children with Medicaid and 45 percent of young children with employer-sponsored insurance received any form of psychological services despite the fact that behavioral therapy is the recommended first-line treatment NOT MEDICATION (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, May 6th). This study only looks at those children with ADHD that are not receiving psychological services that have insurance. There are countless children without insurance that are not receiving services. Susie Bean Gives does not advocate the use of ADHD medicine. Our endorsement strictly goes to behavior therapy and Neurological treatments.

RESEARCH 2:

Children with ADHD have less healthy lifestyles than non-ADHD kids, finds a study conducted at American University. Parents of children with ADHD and those of children without ADHD completed a questionnaire about their child’s nutrition and activities. Results showed that children with ADHD were more likely to consume artificially sweetened juice, less likely to read for more than one hour per day, more likely to have more than two hours of screen time per day, and less likely to be physically active during the week. Parents of children with ADHD were also much more likely to report that their children have sleep problems (Journal of Attention Disorders, Online April 28). These results highlight more reasons why children with ADHD (diagnosed by a neurologist) need treatment.

Susie Bean Gives Team