A School-Based Approach to Early Identification and Management of Students With ADHD

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most challenging chronic conditions for children, families, schools, and physicians. Because symptoms of ADHD can be mistaken for other health conditions and misdiagnosis can occur, accurate diagnosis and treatment require comprehensive evaluation. This article introduces a school-based framework- ADHD Identification and Management in Schools (AIMS)-developed by a multidisciplinary team composed of a pediatrician, school nurses, and school psychologists that sought to improve communication between school personnel and physicians, standardize practice, and improve the quality of care for children with ADHD. The framework provides school nurses with an evidence-based, systematic method for early identification and management of children with ADHD.

Supporting Student Mental Health: The Role of the School Nurse in Coordinated School Mental Health Care

“…School wide-programs have been shown to improve educational outcomes by decreasing absences, decreasing discipline referrals, and improving test scores (Jennings, Pearson, & Harris, 2000;Kogan, Luo, Murry, & Brody, 2005). School nurses are in a position to advocate for and support the adoption of school-wide interventions, such as suicide prevention programs (Aseltine & DeMartino, 2004), universal adolescent depression prevention programs (Carnevale, 2012;Clarke & Lewinson, 1995), adolescent mental health psychology/school nurse partnership models (Clarke, Coombs, & Walton, 2003), and school-based ADHD programs (Cooper, Clements & Holt, 2012;Dang, Warrington, Tung, Baker & Pan, 2007). School nurses may also be involved school-wide education to help school staff be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of potential mental health issues and build their capacity to address barriers to learning.…”

How the School Nurse Can Help Improve the Effectiveness of ADHD Medication

“…The activities are at the core of nursing care for students with diagnosed or suspected ADHD and other mental health problems. The school nurse should be involved in early recognition, assessment, and management of students with ADHD, assisting the school personnel and community health care providers in providing the right care for the right disorder (Dang et al, 2007).…”

“…There are various scales available to assess for ADHD symptoms, such as the NICHQ Vanderbilt Assessment Scales (refer to Table 1). Dang et al (2007) endorse the school nurse's use of the Conners Rating Indexes. Both teacher and parent must complete a version of either of these assessment tools.…”

“…chool nurses often must administer medication to students with attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as monitor the students' response to the drugs (Dang, Warrington, Tung, Baker, & Pan, 2007). Sometimes the therapeutic effect of medication appears to be suboptimal or even nonexistent.…”

Perspectives of College Students on their Childhood ADHD

“…Timely identifi cation and intervention for these children should be stressed to teachers and parents so that they can provide or help access needed support (Dang, Warrington, Tung, Baker, & Pan, 2007). Failure to identify and provide appropriate early interventions can result in undesirable outcomes, including future psychopathology (Greenhill, Posner, Vaughan, & Kratochvil, 2008).…”