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Gretchen B. LeFever, PhD, Korrie Allen, PsyD, and Erin A. Pladsen, MS. Public Health Psychology Section, Center for Pediatric Research, Eastern Virginia Medical School and Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, 855 West Brambleton Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510, 757-668-6497, pladseEA@chkd.org
Background: ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed mental health condition among children accounting for a larger portion of referrals to primary care physicians, mental health centers, and special education than any other disorder. School-wide interventions are needed to reduce the adverse impact of ADHD on the educational and social functioning of students and to prevent the emergence of disruptive behavior disorders among at-risk students. Objectives: Project PRAISE is an innovative behavioral prevention and early intervention study conducted in a region with a high prevalence of ADHD. The objectives were to: 1) increase behavioral compliance and school performance of students with ADHD and their classmates; 2) actively involve school staff in establishing and developing proactive behavioral management of children with ADHD; and 3) include parents of children at-risk for or diagnosed with ADHD in educational seminars. Pilot Setting: School administration selected an elementary school with a large at-risk population (families with low income, children with special education needs). Results: 17% of the children had ADHD, and these children were 3 times more likely to be retained and 4 times more likely to be enrolled in special education. By the end of the school year, teachers who used higher levels of positive reinforcement had students with fewer ADHD symptoms and students with higher SOL tests than teachers who used lower levels of positive reinforcement. Conclusions: This positive school-wide behavior management system was associated with reduced ADHD symptoms and higher SOL tests. Methods and procedures for improving and sustaining interventions are being explored.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this session will be able to
Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, School-Based Programs
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.