WIP 89 - Parental Preferences and Goals for the Treatment of ADHD in Preschool Age Children

Publication Number: WIP 89.7368

Elizabeth Ninan, Boston Children's Hospital, Brookline, MA, United States; Elizabeth Harstad, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States; Georgios Sideridis, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 2.4 % of preschool-age children. Behavior therapy is the first line intervention in preschool-age children, with medication reserved for inadequate response or unavailability of such therapy. Although there is published research on parental perceptions of ADHD treatment in school-age children, there is limited information in parents of preschool-age children. In settings where medication is deemed appropriate, an understanding of factors associated with higher parental acceptability for ADHD medications can be helpful to clinicians as they seek to engage families in a shared decision-making process.

Objective: This study aims to characterize factors associated with higher parental acceptability for ADHD medication in preschool-age children. We hypothesize higher behavioral compliance goals, older child age and co-morbid autism are associated with greater acceptability for ADHD medication.

Design/Methods: We are conducting a cross-sectional survey study recruiting from an outpatient Developmental and Behavioral Medicine clinic affiliated with a large pediatric teaching hospital. Eligible parents are English speaking, and have a child between 3 and 7 years of age, with a diagnosis of ADHD following an evaluation by a Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician. Children with comorbid conditions including autism spectrum disorder are included. The survey utilizes the ADHD Preference and Goal Instrument which has been validated to measure parents’ ADHD treatment preferences and goals for school age children (6-12 years of age). We made minor modifications to make it appropriate for the preschool age population. The study was approved by our Institutional Review Board. We will use frequency counts, Chi square and t test comparisons to describe the sample. For a univariate analysis we will use t test comparisons and Pearson's r. We will also explore a multivariate regression model. Recruitment ends in December 2024 with expected sample size of N=80. Data analysis and manuscript writing will be completed by March 2025.