Frequency of medication treatment, behavioral therapy, and dietary supplements among a national sample of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Background: Rates of parent-reported ADHD have increased over the last decade; 9.5% of children received a diagnosis by 2007. Two-thirds of the 4.1 million children with current ADHD were taking ADHD medication in 2007, but national estimates for non-pharmacological ADHD treatments have not been reported in the last decade. This study presents national estimates for multiple forms of ADHD treatment among CSHCN. Methods: Data from the 2009-2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs were restricted to 9,537 children 4-17 years of age with current ADHD and treatment responses. Estimates of current ADHD medication, past year behavioral therapy, and current use of dietary supplements were calculated. Chi-square tests were used to test for differences in treatment rates by demographic, ADHD severity, and mental health comorbidity groups. Results: Current ADHD medication was reported for 74.1% of those with ADHD; use was associated with greater ADHD severity, comorbidities, White race, insurance coverage, and Midwest region. Behavioral ADHD therapy was reported by 44% and associated with greater ADHD severity, comorbidities, younger age, Black race, Hispanic ethnicity, public insurance, and Northeast region. Dietary supplements for ADHD was reported by 10.2% and associated with younger age and comorbidities. ADHD medication and behavioral therapy was reported by 30.8% of those with current ADHD. Conclusion: Demographic factors, ADHD severity, and comorbidities were consistently associated with ADHD treatments. Medication was the most common ADHD treatment. Despite recommendations for multimodal treatment of ADHD (medication and behavioral therapy), less than one-third of those with ADHD reported multimodal treatment.